Careers Guidance

Please read the article below that shows the importance of Careers Education - 
Teenagers taught about the world of work are more motivated to get higher GCSE results, say researchers.

Through a planned programme of activities, Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) and Employability skills, Soar Valley College seeks to help all students take their place as suitably qualified and responsible adults within society. The focus is upon career and option choice, raising the aspirations and achievement of individual students and equipping them with skills, attitudes, knowledge and understanding as a foundation for managing their lifelong career and learning. Students at Soar Valley College undertake a wide range of Enrichment activities to enhance and support the curriculum.

Soar Valley College provides comprehensive Career, Enterprise, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme. You can expect to receive the following.


YEAR 7
• Introducing Careers – What does that mean for me?
• An introduction to different sectors and occupations
• Information about a range of career pathways
• Increase knowledge of different jobs and job roles
• A range of Enterprise activities to develop employability skills


YEAR 8
• Focused events to support subject choices when identifying options at end of Y9
• Developing making ideas of careers a reality
• Understanding of transferable employability skills
• Enterprise activities with local businesses
• Stem workshops
• Life Skills experience
• Tutorial events with a focus on understanding personal likes and dislikes, qualities and skills

YEAR 9
• Support with subject choices for GCSEs
• Use of online tool – to increase awareness of the Range of opportunities available
• Develop transferable employability skills
• Consideration of 6th Form, Further Education and Apprenticeships – Pathways for Post 16

YEAR 10
In Year 10, we prepare our students for the end of Year, WOW week! WOW week takes place during the last week of the Summer Term and gives students the opportunity to,
- go on an Industry visit,
- take part in a Careers carousels workshop,
- Mock Interview with a local employer,
- Produce a CV,
- Produce a Career plan,
- Develop Interview skills,
- Take part workshops delivered by local universities.

In order to prepare students for this exciting World of Work Week, Form Tutors work hard to encourage students to engage in discussion and active learning about their future. All students will have a log in for Start.com where they can create and develop their unique Career profile. Start guides students through a series of consideration tasks about themselves and provided appropriate job profiles for each learner. Students then have time to reflect and research these suggestions in more detail.

All Year 10 students take part in an Apprenticeship assembly with a follow up workshop for students with a real interest in this line of training.
Throughout the academic year, The Careers Team provide monthly Careers talks whereupon we welcome experts from a variety of sectors to come into Soar Valley and talk to our students.

All of the above works to prepare students for a very busy Year 11.

YEAR 11

Year 11 begins in September with information on Post 16 Options evening and UCAS. Post 16 Options Evening takes place at Soar Valley College whereupon we host a range of Post 16 providers such as colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers. This evening supports students in their decision making and helps to equip students with necessary information for the UCAS college application.

Students are also encouraged to attend a range of Careers events, lunchtime talks, apprenticeship support, to develop employability skills, obtain information on National Citizenship Service, with opportunity to apply and students will get an appointment with Careers Adviser.

Important Dates for students

ALL STUDENTS RECEIVE INDEPENDENT CAREERS GUIDANCE TO MEET THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.

Education and apprenticeship providers are regularly invited to speak to the students, either as a whole group or as small targeted groups.

If any provider would like to request to be part of the Careers Programme, please contact Claire Houlton (Careers Leader) via email choulton@soarvalley.aspirelp.uk. There is scope within our PSHCE and Assembly programme which could include some lessons as well as the Post 16 Options Evening in October (where time and facilities are available) to raise the awareness of the opportunities available to all young people. This could be through presentations in the main hall, or smaller group work with targeted individuals (access to most equipment is possible with the appropriate notice).