Careers guidance and access for education and training providers
Introduction
At Meridian we are committed to implementing a careers programme that enables all students to learn about themselves and the myriad of career options available to them that meet their personal values, character and interests. We aim for our students to understand how their academic and pastoral development and achievements prepares them for their future working lives. Our aim is that students leave Meridian High School, well equipped to access a range of career pathways.
Commitment
Meridian High School is committed to fulfilling its statutory duty to secure independent and impartial careers guidance for young people in Years 8 to 11 (Education Act 1997). The programme, delivered across all eight Gatsby Benchmarks, is provided through Personal, social, health and economic lessons (PSHE) in Years 7 to 11. We are also fully committed to the new Technical and Further Education Act 2017, to ensure that there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access students in Years 8 to 11, for the purpose of informing the students about approved technical qualifications and apprenticeships.
To view the statutory career guidance please follow this link:
Meridian aims to achieve a range of outcomes for young people, as defined in the Career Development Institute’s New Career Development Framework which was launched on April 21st, 2021.
https://www.thecdi.net/write/Framework/CDI_107-Framework_Handbook-web_Updated.pdf
Meridian endeavours to follow best practice guidance from the careers profession, The Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) and from other expert bodies, such as Ofsted and the Department for Education.
Development
This policy was written and developed in collaboration with the Leadership Team and the Careers Lead. It will be reviewed every two years and should be read alongside existing school and trust policies on Equality and Inclusion, Teaching & Learning, Child Protection and Safeguarding, and Data Protection.
Statement of entitlement
In the delivery of CEIAG, students at Meridian are entitled to expect to:
• be treated and respected as individuals
• be provided with the opportunity to learn the skills and gain the knowledge needed to earn a living, once they enter employment
• be offered support in choosing a career path
• be offered confidential advice and support (within the school’s legal responsibility)
• have access to professional and expert advice and guidance
• have access to information about educational options, training and employment at post 16
• find out about technical qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities, as part of a careers programme which
provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point
• hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer through option choices, assemblies, group discussions and careers events
• understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses to allow students to consider how the opportunity to study or train in different ways, and in different environments, might suit their skills, interests and aptitudes.
Those who deliver CEIAG are entitled to expect that students will:
• actively participate in the CEIAG process
• be realistic when making decisions/choices for their future
• work hard to achieve their full potential
• carry out agreed actions
Parents/carers are also entitled to expect that:
• they will be invited to attend consultation evenings and other events related to academic progress and career choice
• specialist help will be provided for those students with special needs, or those identified as potentially NEET (Entering Neither Education, Employment nor Training) post 16
• CEIAG will be delivered with due regard to equal opportunities
Implementation
CEIAG is taught through the PSHE programme and delivered by the tutors as part of the weekly tutor timetable
• CEIAG is organised by the Careers Lead who also maintains the interactive careers software which is updated annually; the Careers Lead is on hand throughout the day to offer CEIAG to students
• We host an annual careers evening and activities throughout the year engaging with local businesses and employers to help raise awareness of employability skills for the students
• In Year 10 students have the opportunity to access a 1 week long work experience placement, commissioned by the Croydon Careers Cluster as part of the Employability and Careers Educational Development Trust.
• Students attend external careers events where possible
Provider access
This statement sets out Meridian High School’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to all students, in the relevant year groups, at the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s technical education qualifications, apprenticeship opportunities and training offers. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
Mangement procedure of provider access requests
A provider wishing to request access should contact: Miss R Wallace, Careers Lead on 020 3943 1328 or r.wallace@meridianhigh.london
Opportunities for access
Several events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to students and/or their parents/carers.
Premises and facilities
The school will make the main hall, library, classrooms or private meeting rooms, available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity. The school will also make available AV and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Leader and will include safeguarding arrangements.
Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at the school library, which is managed by the Careers Lead and accessible throughout the day.
Monitoring, Review and Evaluation
The careers programme is planned, monitored and evaluated regularly by the Careers Lead in consultation with the Leadership Team, School Governors/School Strategic Board (SSB) members and relevant staff.
Students are actively involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation of activities.
Funding is allocated in the annual budget planning in the context of whole school priorities and needs in the CEIAG area. The Careers Lead is responsible for the effective deployment of resources.
Staff training needs are identified to ensure we can provide our students with up-to-date CEIAG.
