mrs v read - thomas clarkson academy - home

Moving from primary to secondary school is a huge step and

students are supported in making this transition as smoothly

as possibly.

Students are introduced to the idea of careers

through the STEP Booklets, which they complete

in tutor time, with the help of their tutors.

They are also able to visit the

‘Desk of Dreams’ — upstairs

in the sixth form area —

known as the CEIAG area:

Careers

Education

Information

Advice

Guidance

During Grab A Grade Week Year 7 students have the opportunity

to take part in Enterprise Challenges and meet local employers

They can also attend trips, such as the

Women in Engineering Day, organised by

Anglian Water, one of our key partners.

Mrs V Read — TCA — Careers Leader

Feedback is very important and helps us to develop our

programmes for students. Activote, run in conjunction

with the Skills Service is one way that we gather this in-

formation.

Moving from primary to secondary school is a huge step and

students are supported in making this transition as smoothly

as possibly.

Students are introduced to the idea of careers

through the STEP Booklets, which they complete

in tutor time, with the help of their tutors.

They are also able to visit the

‘Desk of Dreams’ — upstairs

in the sixth form area —

known as the CEIAG area:

Careers

Education

Information

Advice

Guidance

During Grab A Grade Week Year 7 students have the opportunity

to take part in Enterprise Challenges and meet local employers



Year 8 enables students to build on the experiences and subject

knowledge they have gained in Year 7. They can explore new subjects

and start to build up a picture of things they like to do.

Students continue using the ‘Step Up’ booklets to track their journey

through the subject of careers and explore their thoughts.

Students also have the opportunity to attend the annual

TCA Careers Event, held every November. They are able

to speak to local employers, colleges and universities to

understand what options are available when they leave

school.

In Year 8 students are introduced to Kudos and

are given their own log in. This system allows

them to explore various careers, get career sug-

gestions by answering personality questions,

look where studying a particular subject could

take them and match their skills to career path-

ways.

During Grab A Grade Week Year 8 students are

able to take part in Enterprise Challenges and

employability skills events, in addition to other

activities organised by TCA staff.

There are also opportunities for

trips and other in school events

throughout the year.

Feedback continues to be very important and

students are frequently asked for their views —

not least during the Activote survey which oc-

curs annually in the summer term.


In Year 9 students make some

important decisions in relation

to their future — they choose

their options. Students need to

think about this carefully and

fully explore their options.

To help students, and their parents / carers, work out the right pathway for them, they

have access to:

• Kudos

• Annual TCA Careers Event

• Interview with a staff member

• Taster Sessions (during Grab A Grade Week)

• Options Evening

These are in addition to the normal parents / carers evening and information on progress

from school.

Year 9 students become eligible for NEACO

funded activities. These are activities and

events aimed at encouraging students to take

their studies further and eventually apply for

university.

Trips, Enterprise Activities and other

challenges are also offered. For example the

Eyes on the Prize trip is held at the University

Centre Peterborough and is facilitated by

Anglia Ruskin University. This experience

enables students the opportunity to

understand what going to Uni is all about.


Students in Year 10 start their GCSE courses in the

subjects they have chosen. They are still studying a

fairly broad curriculum, even though they have

dropped some subjects. They are also able to focus

on their strengths and develop vocational skills.

In Year 10 students need to test and develop their

ideas. One way to do this is through work experi-

ence. All students are given the opportunity to com-

plete a one week work experience placement, the

week before February half term (during Grab A Grade

Week).

Students, with the help of their parents/carers,

should look for a placement in the local community.

They can try out a particular sector and improve their

employability skills, such as communication, team-

work and organisational skills

To help students we provide

a CV & Interview Skills work-

shop, to ensure they are able

to approach employers in an

appropriate manner.

Year 10 students also have the opportunity to go on a

number of funded trips, including:

an overnight trip to Trinity Hall (Cambridge University),

Physics at Work, Metalcraft Engineering, Hospitality —

Essex University, Anglia Ruskin University & College

of West Anglia Taster Day.


Year 11 is a hectic year that will pass in no time. Students

are mainly focussed on their final exams and completing all

their required coursework. We want all our students to do

as well as they can, as the qualifications they gain last their

whole life.

However, we also need to ensure students research and

plan for their next steps — whether that is college, sixth

form or an apprenticeship / employment.

Every Year 11 student will be given at least one, 1-2-1

appointment with a qualified careers adviser. Students

will be able to discuss their current and expected

grades, the options available and make appropriate

applications.

Students are able to make more than one application

and the majority of students are encouraged to do so,

ensuring that they have a suitable back-up plan in place

should their exam results not be what they hoped for.

Students are also made aware of a number of

opportunities from Open Days, to apprenticeship

vacancies and in school talks from industry

professionals. Any student can take part.

On Results Day, TCA staff will be

available to assist students in their

next steps.

You MUST be in education, training or employment until you are 18 years old —t he local author-

ity will check up on you to ensure you are in an appropriate placement;

If you DO NOT get a grade 4 in Maths & English you WILL need to continue to study these sub-

jects;

You are competing with ALL Year 11 students in the area (not just TCA students);

You need to be responsible for researching YOUR options and making YOUR choice — you should

aim to do this before Easter;

You should consider a back-up plan, for example applying for a college course in case you do not

get into Sixth Form.

There are 3 main pathways:

A Levels — Sixth Form or College — Choose a minimum of 3 subjects (you need 5 x GCSE’s

at grades 4 — 9, preferably a grade 6 in your chosen subject;

College — Level 1 — 3 x GCSEs at grade 2 — 2+, Level 2 — 4 x GCSEs at grade 3 — 3+, Lev-

el 3 — 5 x GCSEs at grade 4 — 4+, including Maths & English;

Apprenticeship / Employment / Traineeships — each scheme is advertised individually

and will have the requirements listed.

The TCA Careers Event

Explore New Kudos

Websites (www.ucas.com,

www.youthoria.org, www.indeed.co.uk,

www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeships)

Careers Talks

Open Days

Interview with Mrs Read, Careers Leader

Think about what you enjoy doing;

Think about the subjects you like;

Do you have a career in mind that you

need a particular qualification for e.g.

vet, police officer, doctor, teacher?

Visit colleges & sixth forms;

Think about your work experience;

Think about a back-up plan.

mrs v read - thomas clarkson academy - home

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