Chaigeley’s approach to careers
With a renewed focus on careers from the central government through the Gatsby report, Chaigeley has revised its approach to the careers strategy. Running alongside employability, which is a subject in its own right, careers will offer learners, staff, and parents the opportunity to begin a journey in year 7/8 through to the end of year 11. This will involve exploring avenues of future study beyond Chaigeley, such as in college or apprenticeships, and identifying areas of work that students may wish to pursue, as well as the pathways that will allow them to achieve their aspirations.
Further education, university technical colleges (UTCs), apprenticeships, traineeships, T-Levels, or even straight employment are all options that can be explored.
To help learners in their exploration, they will be given access to Kudos resources and can spend time familiarising themselves with what is available and the skills required. Employer engagement days and college visits will be arranged where learners can meet people in the trades or areas of study they wish to enter. Where appropriate, work experience will also be arranged in year 11. Additionally, Chaigeley works in partnership with a schools careers adviser from Job Centre Plus to offer independent advice to students, as well as a level 6 adviser from Warrington Life with whom we have a partnership with. The school is also working with the Warrington Pledge program. Please see the Warrington Life website for useful careers guidance for pupils and parents
From year 9 onwards, learners will be equipped with a careers action plan booklet to help them keep track of their research and progress, and they will meet termly with the school careers adviser. For students in year 10 and 11, vocational programs will be offered that will allow them to gain valuable industry skills in construction, hair and beauty, and mechanics in a college or specialist environment.
For a full overview of our proposed careers offerings in each year group, please see the careers matrix.
Following the recent successes of some year 11 learners and in line with the Gatsby benchmarks, an aftercare program is being set up where Chaigeley staff will continue to support learners after they have left. For those who may have struggled to find a pathway, we can continue to help them find a destination. For those who have settled, we can keep in contact until they are ready to go on their own.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school and ask for the careers co-ordinator, Louise Cairns.
Alternatively, contact Louise via email: louise.cairns@chaigeley.org.uk
Noel Conreen
