Careers Guidance

Year 7
It may seem a little early to start thinking about careers,  but some of you already may have dreams about becoming a vet, professional footballer or mega music star.  You are going to get lots of help and advice about choosing a career path that suits you during your time at Netherhall.

What’s planned in Year 7
You will have Careers lessons as part of your PSHE course

In the Autumn term you think about yourself and what sorts of things you like.  You will discuss what work is, and think about the jobs that are done by the staff at Netherhall and by people in the local community.

In the Summer term you will think a bit more carefully about how school subjects prepare you for the world of work and to understand how the skills you learn and practise in class can be useful at home and at work too.

Year 8
At the beginning of the Summer term you will have a whole day off timetable playing the Real Game   It’s a great way to find out about life in the working world.  You will have the opportunity to find out information about 30 different jobs (what qualifications you need, how much you earn, and so on) and to develop skills such as communication, listening, problem-solving, team-work – in fact all the skills you will need when you start working for a living.

Year 9
The Year 9 Careers programme will consist of 2 main blocks, taught through PSHE lessons and a range of  other activities.

Part one: September
You are going to learn much more about the World of Work, following on from Real Game.

You will

• Learn about what the law says about teenagers working
• Talk to people you know and find out about their jobs
• Present your findings to the class
• Think about society’s view of different careers

Part two: Spring term – Options
You will be making your option choices in the spring term. These are important decisions that will affect the rest of your life. But don’t worry! You will have lots of help and advice. In your A workshop with your tutors, assemblies and ICT lessons,  you will

• Find out about the options available to you in Years 10, 11 and beyond
• Think about your own learning styles
• Use a careers information software programme called streets ahead, which is designed to help you with options decisions
• Link Skills, subjects and careers
• Find out about different qualifications

You will also be able to seek guidance from our Connexions Personal Adviser – Bryan Summers.

Year 10
You will continue to investigate careers through PSHE lessons. These will be taught by Miss Lambley and topics will include:

• Understanding Labour Market Information
• Factors contributing to Career choice
• 16+ options – what happens after Year 11
• Career areas – we use the computer programme Pathfinder for this
• Using information in the Connexions resource area

By the end of the module, you should have a much clearer idea of how to make a wise choice and where to access information and help. It is up to you to take control of your career path, and make a realistic, well-informed decision as to your post 16 choice. You will also have opportunity to discuss your ideas with Bryan Summers, our Personal Adviser from Connexions.

Work Experience
You will go out on a Work experience placement at the end of the Summer term. It will give you an excellent insight into the World of Work and help you to think more clearly about your future plans.   Click here find out more.

Individual Learning plans and Progress File
You will review and update your Year 9 action plans with your form tutor and carry out more work.

Year 11
You will continue to investigate careers issues in a 5 lesson PSD module taught by Miss Lambley.  Topics covered will include

• Job Hunting – where to look
• Letters of Application, CVs, Application forms
• Interview techniques
• Financial issues

You will also have a huge amount of help, particularly in the Autumn term to help you make the right Post 16 decision. You will complete your progress file with your form tutors.

Over the course of the year, there are a number of workshops and college open days to give everyone the chance to learn about their options and to help them decide their future.

Sixth Form
Within the Sixth Form, students are given careful and advice on Higher Education opportunities and are guided through the complicated application procedures for University places. Netherhall Sixth Form organises at least one excursion to a University Open Day, as well as seminars and discussions with a University and College Admissions Tutor. Sixth Form students also have access to a range of online and hard copy resources (such as the Centigrade assessment, Higher Ideas and University prospectuses).

During their time in the Sixth Form students are also offered careers interviews by a member of Connexions (specialist careers advisers). Follow-up interviews can be arranged as required at any time during the two-year course, along with ongoing support from the Sixth Form leadership and tutor team.