Careers
GUIDANCE
Every pupil is encouraged to set their sights high for their future, regardless of their background or individual circumstances. In order to help them prepare for college, university and the world of employment, we deliver careers guidance through a range of processes designed to develop high aspirations in pupils, encourage pupils to consider a broad and ambitious range of careers and enable individuals to make informed choices and transitions related to their personal, educational and careers development. We also draw on specialist support from local partner organisations.
Through our Leadership specialism and enrichment programme, we develop links with leading local employers in the professions, business, industry and the public, community and voluntary sectors. As well as addressing the pupils and answering their questions about what it’s like to work in their field, we look for exciting work experience and mentoring opportunities with them.
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)
Our vision is to nurture today’s young people and inspire tomorrow’s leaders. We strive to help our young people achieve their very best academically and personally, pursuing the best possible progression pathways after completing their education at our academy.
Every pupil is encouraged to set their sights high for their future, regardless of their background or individual circumstances. In order to help them prepare for college, university and the world of employment, we deliver careers guidance through a range of processes designed to develop high aspirations in pupils, encourage pupils to consider a broad and ambitious range of careers and enable individuals to make informed choices and transitions related to their personal, educational and careers development. We also draw on specialist support from local partner organisations.
Through our Leadership specialism and enrichment programme, we develop links with leading local employers in the professions, business, industry and the public, community and voluntary sectors. As well as addressing pupils’ questions about what it’s like to work in the different fields, we forge exciting work experience and mentoring opportunities.
In addition to subject related careers activities, as part of their preparations for the world of work, pupils participate in a number of extra-curricular events during KS3 and KS4. Here pupils have the opportunity hear from and visit a number of employers from the world of industry. Inspirational guest speakers address our pupils to stimulate their aspirations and ideas for the future. Local STEM providers, FE Colleges, Universities and Apprenticeship Providers are also invited regularly to offer pupils an overview of their progression pathways through interactive sessions.
Year 11 pupils are offered one to one independent advice and guidance interviews to explore their post 16 options with a view of pursuing their post 18 education goals. These guidance interviews provide an overview for pupils and their options including local further education colleges, apprenticeships and information on the current labour market.
Our annual Careers Convention takes place in the autumn term. Parents and carers are invited to join their children in exploring colleges, universities, apprenticeship providers, employers and voluntary services. A wide spectrum of providers attend the fair including representatives from Westinghouse, BAE Systems and many other organisations that support our pupils’ careers education.
In addition, Highfield Leadership Academy has been chosen as the lead school for the Blackpool Career Hub. This accolade for Highfield will enable us to build upon the wide range of advice and guidance already on offer. The Career Hub will enhance and complement the work of the Enterprise Adviser Network which is coordinated in Blackpool through an Enterprise Coordinator. The Career Hub pilot is looking to trial different models of support for schools to enable them to meet all 8 of the Gatsby careers benchmarks which schools have been asked to meet by 2020. Highfield will take the lead in supporting other Blackpool schools to meet the Gatsby benchmarks.
Our CEIAG provision is evaluated with pupils, teachers and employers on an annual basis.
Useful Websites for Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance
· Labour Market Information
· UCAS
· NCS
· Apprenticeships
· Good Uni Guide
· UKCAT
· BMAT
· The Medic Portal
· Amazing Apprenticeships (ASK Project)
· Army
· Royal Navy
· Royal Air Force
· Lancashire Police
· Lancashire Fire Service
· North West Ambulance Service
· Creative and Digital Careers – Creative Skill Set
· Creative and Digital Careers – CC Skills
· Creative Arts and Design
· Advanced Manufacturing
· Engineering
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance through our extra-curricular activities
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 |
| Alumni day
Employer Mentoring programme Careers Drop Down Day PSHE Programme |
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Options Event
Careers Convention Alumni day Options evening Careers Drop Down Day PSHE Programme |
Westinghouse visit
University visits University Mentoring programme HE workshops and presentations Careers Drop Down Day PSHE Programme |
Army presentation
Young Enterprise scheme Oxbridge visit Social Enterprise week Visit to local FE colleges HE workshops and presentations Careers Drop Down Day PSHE Programme |
1:1 independent advice and guidance interviews
Assembly presentations from local FE colleges and apprenticeship providers Mock interview day World at Work event Regular lunchtime drop in sessions in the year 11 common room Careers Convention Oxbridge presentation Careers Drop Down Day PSHE Programme |
Key Information
Careers Leader: John Hooper, IAG Officer
Telephone: 01253 310925
Email: john.hooper@highfield.staracademies.org
See our Policies and Publications page to access our Careers and Enterprise Policy.
See our Policies and Publications page to access our Provider Access Policy.
See our Policies and Publications page to access our Careers Programme Overview.