Careers

Sturminster Newton High School is committed to ensuring that all young people have access to good and realistic information and guidance about the full range of career pathways available to them. We aim to ensure that all our students are self-confident, skilled and career-ready. This will be achieved through a programme of high quality, planned Careers and Work Related Learning activities, advice and guidance which meets the Gatsby Benchmarks for careers advice:

1.. A stable careers programme

2. Learning from career and labour market information

3. Addressing the needs of each pupil

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

5. Encounters with employers and employees (Access dorsetlep.co.uk)

6. Experiences of workplaces

7. Encounters with further and higher education

8. Personal guidance

If you would like to speak to a member of the team either for advice or to offer a talk/visit for our students please contact the school on careers@mysnhs.net.

To view the policy statement on Careers Guidance please visit the school policies page

The school’s named career leader is Paul Dodman who is able to facilitate impartial information advice and guidance for students, supported by Anne-Marie Gilmore (Assistant Head of Sixth Form) as well as the Heads of Year.

A designated Careers Adviser, Steve Martin will be conducting face to face interviews to provide students with impartial advice on all aspects of future education, employment and training.

Students are able to request individual appointments (with priority going to Years 11, 12 and 13) or may be referred by school staff.

All students identified on the Dorset Council RONI list and disadvantaged students are all are all seen during key transition points. Every student will have at least one face to face appointment

The school also works with the Careers and Enterprise Company and its Enterprise Advisor to deliver careers advice and guidance and allows providers of technical education access to the school to inform students regarding the progression routes they offer.

As an overview, each year group lessons aim to build the importance of considering future plans, building aspiration and challenging negative impressions, with specific reference to -

Year 7

• Building self-esteem via discussions of students’ own skills and qualities

• Challenging workplace stereotypes

• Setup Up accounts on CareerPilot

Year 8:

• Discussing which subjects can lead to which jobs and careers/importance of school subjects

• Job and Career groups and families

• Further Work/research on CareerPilot
  

Year 9:

• Research into specific jobs and careers/how to get there

• The importance of choosing the right option subjects (leading into the Options Evening in Spring Term)

• Work with Young Enterprise to deliver the Learn to Earn programme (whole school day activities)

• .When available, visit Careers College, Weymouth
  

Year 10:

• Further research into local job and apprenticeship opportunities

• Application process for Work Experience

• Mock Interview day to boost confidence and provide experience

• 10 day Work Experience programme in July

Year 11:

• Individual Careers Interviews with Careers Adviser

• Writing professional personal statements and CVs

• Completing Post 16 Action Plan tailored to suit individual student needs

• Personal interviews to discuss sixth form and future choices

Years 12 and 13:

• Further work experience programme in Year 12 (February)

• UCAS convention visit to increase aspiration

• Visits to Universities and other FE/HE providers

• Individual Careers Interviews with Careers Adviser

• “Dragon’s Den” style entrepreneurial challenge

• Mock interviews/CV building

In addition the school aims to promote Careers and Work-related Learning via:

1. Displays relating to careers in subject areas and the variety of progression routes available to students

2.  References to careers and employment in lessons and the engagement of guest speakers

3. STEM activities and presentations

4. Employer links and presentations in assemblies

5.  Activities to mark National Careers week

6. Newsletter/bulletin  items relating to careers education

7. Displays relating to careers education and apprenticeship opportunities

8. There are additional sources of information that students, parents and carers are able to access, which may be helpful: