At Christ the King Catholic High School we are committed to providing all our students with an extensive programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). Careers Education is embedded into school life and we consistently strive towards meeting the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.
Headteacher Mr S Corless is the Senior Leader for CEIAG and provides the link between the CEIAG Leader, SLT and Governors. Clare Watson is the CEIAG Link Governor who supports the programme and utilises her links within industry to provide enrichment opportunities and meaningful encounters with employers.
Vicky Willacy is the newly appointed Careers Leader, she has 14 years of experience in Education, including both pastoral and departmental leadership. The role of the Careers Leader is to assist young people’s career learning, planning and development by leading and managing the development of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) in the school. The leader advises senior managers and governors on aspects of CEIAG, develops the careers programme, organises resources and ensures that students have access to impartial IAG within school and independently.
All KS4 students will receive at least one 1-1 personal guidance interview. The initial interview is planned for the spring term of Year 10 and follow up meetings are arranged in Year 11 as appropriate. Our independent advisors are provided by Education Business Partnership (NW) Ltd.
Christ the King have forged strong links with colleges, universities and businesses, which therefore enables us to provide a wide range of encounters to raise student aspirations starting in Year 7. Our school is part of the Lancashire Enterprise Advisor Network. The school works in partnership with Enterprise Coordinator Hannah Thurston and Enterprise Advisor Richard Taylor of Taylor Estates, Preston.
If you would like to contact the CEIAG leader please contact school on 01772 252072 or email Careers@ctk.lancs.sch.uk.
If you need to contact school regarding work experience please ring school on 01772 252072 or email reception@ctk.lancs.sch.uk.
Overview
In July 2021 the DfE of published the new statutory guidance for Career Guidance in schools. The purpose to make sure that all young people in secondary school get a programme of advice and guidance that is stable, structured and delivered by qualified and experienced individuals. This statutory guidance has been restructured around the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks.
The CEIAG Leader along with the Lancashire Enterprise Advisor, SLT, curriculum leaders, external providers, and employers strive for continuous improvement and build on each benchmark further.
In June 2019 our excellent Career Guidance programme was recognsied by the Gatsby Foundation as achieving all 8 Gatsby Benchmarks, the first school in Preston to do so.
https://lancashirelep.co.uk/2019/06/27/lancashire-schools-recognised-for-world-class-careers-advice/
The school is strong and committed to all 8 Benchmarks:
- A stable Careers programme
- Learning from Career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experience of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal Guidance
Our comprehensive programme of Careers Education/Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) begins in Year 7 and is coordinated by our Careers/IAG Leader/Adviser. It is delivered through either PSHEE/Citizenship, Extended Learning Days, cross-curricular and group sessions in the Guidance Centre. The programme is designed to raise student’s aspirations, enable them to access and receive impartial IAG along with the opportunity to develop skills, explore post 14 & 16 progression routes and enable students to make well informed realistic decisions and manage transitions confidently.
The aim of CEIAG is to raise our student’s aspirations, broaden their horizons, challenge stereotypes and empower them to make well informed realistic decisions at all key transition points in learning and work. School will ensure that CEIAG is presented in an impartial manner and promotes the best interests of the students.
The CEIAG programme is supported and enhanced by a range of activities including visiting speakers, ‘taster visits’ and specific themed workshops. Christ the King has forged strong links with industries, businesses, colleges, training providers and Armed Forces who provide valued support, help students develop employability skills and enrich the programme. The purpose is to give students the opportunity to explore careers, investigate work and understand the ever changing labour market.
Guidance Centre
Every Year 10, and 11 student will have a one to one careers guidance interview; students in Year 9 have an individual meeting with their parent/carer as they prepare to choose their GCSE options. Students in other years will have small group guidance centre sessions, allowing them to start thinking about and researching possible pathways.
Students (or parents/carers) may request an interview directly by emailing reception@ctk.lancs.sch.uk
Students from any year group are welcome to drop in the guidance centre at break or lunch with any queries about colleges, apprenticeships, universities or careers in general. There are prospectuses from all the local colleges and training providers, along with a large selection of university brochures and other resources on display in the guidance centre.
Lunchtime drop in sessions from various colleges and training providers are held on a regular basis – these will be advertised via the daily briefing/bulletin/Firefly and email. These are a great chance to chat about facilities, courses, and transport and entry requirements.
There is extra information available on various websites for both students and parents. These can be accessed by clicking the links below.
Apprenticeships www.getingofar.gov.uk/
Going to University http://search.ucas.com/
Other useful websites which students and parents might find useful:
NATIONAL SCHOOLS EMPLOYABILITY CHALLENGE
What is Labour Market Information (LMI)?
In a nutshell, labour market information tells you about the local or national demand there is for different skills and from different industries. Labour market information tells you:
- Which jobs are likely to be easiest or hardest to find in your area?
- Which are the big employers in different areas and which ones have jobs on offer
- What skills employers are looking for and which are in short supply
- How much you can expect to be paid in specific jobs
- What working conditions are like?
- What qualifications will be most helpful if you want a certain career?
- What the jobs of the future might look like and which jobs might disappear?
All of these factors can help you make a more informed decision about what career path to take. Depending on where you live, and whether you’re willing to move, that might mean you need to adjust your career plans.
Did you know that:
One in five jobs coming up in the next five years are predicted to be in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) industries?
Click on the link below to access the Labour Market Profile of Preston.
Lancashire Skills Hub Local LMI
Please click here for the curriculum map
Lancashire Labour Market Intelligence Report
The National Careers Service have provided detailed LMI for Lancashire. Please view the PDF files for the different industry sectors below.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is when you can work and learn at the same time. It is a real job, where you will be employed by a company and get paid a salary. You will work towards qualifications related to your job role.
Apprenticeships are available at intermediate, advance, higher and degree levels.
There are many different training providers who work with employers in a wide range of sectors. Depending on the sector you want to work in students will need to ensure you have registered the relevant training provider. All apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on the government apprenticeship website with additional websites promoting apprenticeships.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/
https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/apprenticeships-223
Training Providers:
http://www.training2000.co.uk/
http://www.preston.ac.uk/courses/apprenticeships/
http://www.citb.co.uk/citb-apprenticeships/
https://www.aat.org.uk/accounting-apprenticeships
https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/
http://www.baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-the-uk/apprenticeships
https://www.estio.co.uk/training/vacancies/
http://www.rathboneuk.org/#location=england
https://www.gpstl-apprenticeships.co.uk/
http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/springfields/Careers/Apprentice-Training/Degree-Apprenticeships
https://www.blackburn.ac.uk/apprenticeships/
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-fast-track-apprenticeship
Check out the sorted leaflet and chart of all the training providers for the different industry sectors.
http://www.lancsforum.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sorted-Feb-18-FINAL-1.pdf
In addition to IAG at CtK, students and parents can visit the ‘National Careers Service’ website or use their helpline to access independent IAG. Visit https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ or call 0800 100 900 for further information and independent advice on careers and training opportunities and links to other useful websites and career tools.
Students have access to a wide range of online career guidance tools and websites which are easily accessible via the links and information provided on Firefly/Students/My Careers section.
START: a free online digital platform providing up to date careers information, advice and guidance. Students can take part in engaging and visual activities to help them make informed decisions. Students can access START by using the log in details on firefly: https://firefly.ctk.lancs.sch.uk/my-careers/start-online-careers-platform.
Links Government Web sites:-
- National Careers Service; https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
- Careers Advice for parents; https://www.careersadviceforparents.org/
- National Apprenticeship Service: https://www.getingofar.gov.uk/
Links to Job profiles:-
- National Careers Service; https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/home
- National Health Service; https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles
- Prospects; https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles
- Target Jobs; https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions
Careers in Construction:
https://www.careersinconstruction.com/
https://www.builders.org.uk/home/
Careers in Digital Media Technology:
https://www.digitalworld.net/careers
https://www.tpdegrees.com/careers/
Careers in the Health and Social Care Sector:
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/
https://www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Home.aspx
https://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/industry/health-social-care
https://www.busybeestraining.co.uk/
http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/
Careers in Hospitality:
https://www.hospitalityjobsuk.co.uk/
http://www.hospitalityguild.co.uk/A-Career-in-Hospitality/
https://www.instituteofhospitality.org/
Careers and Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM):
http://www.biochemistry.org/Education/Careers.aspx
http://www.mathscareers.org.uk/
http://www.wherestemcantakeyou.co.uk/
https://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/
https://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/
https://www.environmentjob.co.uk/jobs
https://www.rsb.org.uk/careers-and-cpd/careers
http://careers.abpi.org.uk/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.college-optometrists.org/qualifying/a-career-in-optometry.html
Careers that Move:
Armed Forces/MOD
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/
https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/royal-marines
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence/about/recruitment
Additional websites
https://career-insights.co.uk/
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/careers
https://barclayslifeskills.com/
https://rbs.mymoneysense.com/home
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs
http://www.lantra.co.uk/Careers
Volunteering
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/jobs-employment-and-volunteering/volunteering/
CEIAG Evaluation
Our CEIAG and WRL programme have strong links with industry and aim to offer a wide range of experiences to ensure students have meaningful encounters with employers. Through our partnership with the Career Enterprise Company we have an adviser from the Lancashire Adviser Network who offers support and through this programme our school has been partnered with the Civil Service who support and enhance our programme. Employer engagement is undertaken in a variety of events which include:
- Work Experience
- Speed Networking
- Volunteering
- Extended Learning Days
- STEM workshops
- Visits to industry
- Guest speakers in class
- Alumni
Extended Learning Day Activities involving employers
Careers News March 2018
To support Year 9 as they prepare to choose their options the students had the opportunity to take part in activities which involved independent career research, insight into the Preston City Deal and local Labour market. Student had interactive workshops from visiting employers. Eric Wright Construction and Preston’s College ran an activity called ‘Bridge the Gap’. This was a STEM activity using teamwork, problem, solving and budgeting skills
Clare Watson a governor of our school used her network of contacts in the construction industry and invited representatives from the National Federation of Builders. Together they ran a fun activity to develop student’s problem solving, teamwork and communication skills. Students participated in the ‘Tetrahedron Challenge’, and also had the opportunity to try out the latest technology being used by professionals in the industry. Students used BMI virtual goggles and understand how they are used in the industry.
The day was informative, challenged stereotypes and gave students insight into the current labour market in the Lancashire areas and demand for particular roles.
CEIAG News Nov 2018
Quotes from employers
The KS4 Careers event on the ELD took on a new aspect this year with the event being organised as a ‘Speed Networking’ session. Over 30 employers attended from a wide range of industry sectors. Students were put into mixed groups of 3 or 4, the employers had a 7 minute time frame to talk to the groups about their company, role and different progression routes. The students engaged and listened to the employers and had the opportunity to ask questions. The event was a success and we were overwhelmed by the number of employers who attended to support our Career Guidance programme and raise the aspirations of our students. The students and employers have given positive feedback about this type of event instead of the usual careers fair.
Employer Quotes
“We were delighted to be able to attend. I thought the afternoon was great, lots of interaction with lots of students! I thought it was a great idea!” Bootroom Academies”
“The students were well engaged and polite during the speed networking. Please keep us involved in future events” NHS
“The event was different but kind of refreshing with a different format” JTL Training
“The pupils were really polite and engaged, asked lots of questions and really took an interest.” Lancashire Care Trust
“I thought it was a really good idea as I got to speak to quite a few as well as possible ones that might not have been interested in apprenticeships or knew what apprenticeships were.” Training 2000
We are impartial and work with all FE and HE providers in the area who are invited into school to deliver assemblies and workshops to students.
Further Education (FE) Colleges/Sixth Form:
At Christ the King we offer impartial advice and guidance on all progression routes and promote all the local FE Colleges and Sixth Form. We have strong partnership links with all the colleges in the area, representatives from these colleges regularly visit school to host assemblies and class sessions.
Students are advised to research the colleges they intend applying for and to visit all open evenings in order to make an informed decision about their future.
Students can apply for more than one college, especially if they are not sure of what or where they would like to study. Students can decide which college they would like to go to on results day in August.
- Newman College http://www.cardinalnewman.ac.uk/
- Preston’s College https://www.preston.ac.uk/
- Runshaw College https://www.runshaw.ac.uk/
- Myerscough College https://www.myerscough.ac.uk/
- Blackburn College https://www.blackburn.ac.uk/
- Hutton Sixth Form https://www.huttongrammar.org/sixth-form/
- Blackpool & Fylde College https://www.blackpool.ac.uk/
Higher Education (HE) – Universities:
Do you need to go to University for your Career Pathway? If so, do you know which universities offers a course for you and which one would be best for you? Check out the websites below?
http://university.which.co.uk/
Do you want to go to one of the leading universities? The Russell Group of Universities is a group of 24 leading universities in the UK. To help you make an informed decisions check out the Russell Group guide.
https://russellgroup.ac.uk/about/our-universities/
Search Undergraduate courses on UCAS to check out the specific subject entry requirements for your degree course choice. What A Levels of BTEC subjects do you need to study and what grades do you need?
Some Lancashire / North West University links
| CTK Destinations 2022 (out of a total of 60 students) | |
| Number | |
| Further Education (Lancashire) | 54 |
| Apprenticeship/Employment | 2 |
| FE provider outside of Lancashire | 0 |
| Traineeship | 0 |
| Armed Forces | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Moved Away | 1 |
| NEET Active | 2 |
| Unknown | 1 |
| CTK Destinations 2021 (out of a total of 66 students) | |
| Number | |
| Further Education (Lancashire) | 63 |
| Apprenticeship/Employment | 2 |
| FE provider outside of Lancashire | 0 |
| Traineeship | 0 |
| Armed Forces | 0 |
| Other | 0 |
| Moved Away | 1 |
| NEET Active | 0 |
| CTK Destinations 2020 (out of a total of 47 students) | |
| Number | |
| Further Education (Lancashire) | 43 |
| Apprenticeship/Employment | 2 |
| FE provider outside of Lancashire | 0 |
| Traineeship | 0 |
| Armed Forces | 0 |
| Other | 1 |
| Moved Away | 0 |
| NEET Active | 1 |
| CTK Destinations 2019 (out of a total of 55 students) | |
| Number | |
| Further Education (Lancashire) | 48 |
| Apprenticeship/Employment | 2 |
| FE provider outside of Lancashire | 1 |
| Traineeship | |
| Armed Forces | |
| Other | 1 |
| Moved Away | 1 |
| NEET Active | 1 |
| Unknown | 1 |