Shireland Collegiate Academy serves a socio-economically deprived area in Smethwick and it is within this context that we strive to raise our students’ ambitions: aiming higher and seeing further.
Our students are individuals, with their own unique combination of skills, qualities and attributes; one size does not fit all and so our careers programme aims to meet the needs of all our students. We aim to offer an insight into the world of work, higher education, further education, as well as apprenticeships and encourage our students and their families to explore all the possibilities. At regular stages during their school career we support them with impartial advice and guidance as they navigate their way through selecting courses at the different Key Stages.
OUR CEIAG TEAM
Ms Noshin Yasin – Careers Adviser
Mr Tony Reade – Careers Leader
Mrs Denise Fox – Careers Senior Leadership
THEME
Self-Awareness
OUTCOMES
“Who am I?” Knowing personal strengths, interests, skills, etc.
IMPLEMENTATION/ACTIVITIES
- Whom do you relate to? Family member, friend, famous person
- Learning about transferrable skills
- Linking skills with future jobs
- Family Inclusion
THEME
Skills development
OUTCOMES
Recognising employability skills
IMPLEMENTATION/ACTIVITIES
- Breaking out of stereotypical moulds: gender norms, cultural norms, socio-economic norms…
- Working on financial, entrepreneurial and creative skills to broaden horizons
- Taster sessions
THEME
Options and choices
OUTCOMES
- Making informed decisions
- Ensuring students are aware of all pathways
- Impartial IAG
IMPLEMENTATION/ACTIVITIES
- Options Theme
- START Profile
- Knowing your academic aptitude
- Learning about subject and qualification requirement for various fields and sectors
- Family Inclusion
THEME
The World of Work
OUTCOMES
- How to write a CV
- Mastering the Interview Game
- What makes me employable?
- Dealing with competition/How recruitment works
IMPLEMENTATION/ACTIVITIES
- One Job Challenge
- Learning how to highlight relevant achievements
- Prompting ambition
THEME
Pathways and self-branding
OUTCOMES
- Skills Development
- Knowing pathways and opportunities
- Standing out from the crowd
- Planning my future/Action Planning
- Impartial IAG
IMPLEMENTATION/ACTIVITIES
- Linking subjects and interests to careers
- Matching skills to jobs and pathways and learning formats
- Target setting, having goals and contingencies
THEME
Route to profession
OUTCOMES
- Delivering holistic IAG
- Post 18 Options
- Identifying talents, interests, skills and progression
- Work Experience
IMPLEMENTATION/ACTIVITIES
- Getting a taste of different professions: What are various jobs about
- Looking at options with an open mind
- University Open Days/Careers Events visits
- Futures Programme
- Students organise their own work experience with the help of the CEIAG team
THEME
Self-Actualisation
OUTCOMES
- Following the plan
- Realistic Goals
- Having backups
- Identifying skills that can be projected in the real life context
IMPLEMENTATION/ACTIVITIES
- Informing students of various types of opportunities out there
- Target setting and reflection
- Support with Personal Statements
- Support with applying for Apprenticeships
Key Stage 4 and 5 option choices
All Year 9 students receive a 1:1 appointment with our Careers Adviser during the first half of the Autumn Term to discuss the various course options available to them at Key Stage 4. Families are welcome to attend this meeting. Following on from this, all students attend a 1:1 meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership Team or Heads of Department to discuss their chosen courses ahead of starting their lessons in the Spring Term of Year 9.
In Year 11 students have the opportunity to choose from one of the following pathways:
- Full time study at a college, sixth form or training provider
- Full time work or volunteering combined with part time education of training
- An apprenticeship
- A traineeship
Careers Advice
Students receive impartial advice on their options, including access to Universities and local Colleges and Apprenticeship providers. Students are offered the opportunity to discuss their chosen pathway with the Careers Adviser and a Connexions Adviser.
Find out more information via the links and booklets below:
