Grace Academy Darlaston Careers Activities
| Activity | Year group | Links GATSBY Benchmark | Links to CDI* framework | Time of year |
| Careers Week. To raise student of different careers and their entry and skill requirements. | All Year groups | 2. Learning from careers and labour market information. 3. Addressing the needs of each student. 4.Linking curriculum learning to careers 5. Encounters with employers and employees. 8. Personal Guidance | Explore possibilities | March |
| Vocational Workshops. To assist students with their aspirations and abilities by being involved in practical workshops. | Year7- 9 | 2. Learning from careers and labour market information. 3. Addressing the needs of each student. 4.Linking curriculum learning to careers 5. Encounters with employers and employees. 8. Personal Guidance | Manage career | Jan June/July |
| World of Work visits and sessions. Assisting students to understand job roles in a range of organisations and the skills and knowledge needed for effective teamwork and communication. | Year 7-10 | 3. Addressing the needs of each student. 5. Encounters with employers and employees. 6. Experiences of workplaces. | Grow throughout life | Jan- July |
| CV workshops. To show the importance of a CV, and how students can present their skills, abilities and education to attract an employer. | Year 10 & 12 | 2. Learning from career and labour market information. 5. Encounters with employers and employees. | Grow throughout life | July |
| One-to-one career guidance interviews and follow up discussions. These focus on students’ options, which are full-time study options, apprenticeships and work-based options, volunteering and employment. | Year 11–13 Year 7-10 | 1. A stable careers programme. 3. Addressing the needs of each student. 8. Personal guidance. | See the big picture | Sept – Nov Apr As & when required |
| Identification of students at risk of NEET. Referrals from tutors, Head of Year and Assistant Principals. Set up appointments with students to review the situation and plan activities as needed for their progression to EET. | Year 9-10 | 3. Addressing the needs of each student. 8. Personal guidance. | Manage career | Feb – June |
| Work Experience. Students engage in real-life world of work in a one-week work placement. | Year 12 | 5. Encounters with employers and employees. 6. Experiences of workplaces. | Grow throughout life Explore possibilities Manage career Create opportunities Balance life and work See the big picture | July |
| Focus, Open and Parents Evenings. To offer parents/carers support and signposting about careers and next steps. | Year 9-11 Post 16 | 1. A stable careers programme. 2. Learning from career and labour market information. 3. Addressing the needs of each student. 4. Linking curriculum learning to careers. 8. Personal guidance. | Explore possibilities | Throughout year |
| Further & Higher Education talks and visits. Students to understand the expectations for continuing in education. | Year 9-10 Post 16 | 4. Linking curriculum learning to careers. 5. Encounters with employers and employees. | Grow throughout life Explore possibilities See the big picture | April June |
*Career Development Institute – The professional body for all working in the fields of career education; career information, advice and guidance; career coaching, career consultancy, and career management. https://www.thecdi.net/
We measure the impact of each event by student feedback surveys, Parent/Carer surveys (where applicable), verbal feedback via Student Voice, and tutor feedback. Evaluation from organisations is also sought. These evaluations include how students rated the sessions, whether they delivered the information required, and so on. From this feedback we can measure how successful the events were received, whether the aim of the sessions were achieved and what improvements can be made for future sessions.
