Year 9 is a good time to start to reviewing possible future plans and research different occupations to discover what qualities, skills and qualifications are needed for these.

During Careers activities students will have the opportunity to explore how their ambitions, likes and dislikes have evolved and how this now influences their future careers plans. They will also focus on understanding issues relating to stereotyping and discrimination through an introduction to occupational and labour market information.

Students will use their occupational knowledge to investigate a range of careers and develop an awareness of the opportunities available in their local area and those which may suit their educational and personal goals. Students will also examine the changes that have taken place in the workplace over a period of time and apply their knowledge to consider the nature of change on their planning for their preferred future.

Towards the end of Year 9 students work through a programme of activities to help them think of their strengths and weaknesses in order to make decisions about GCSE/BTEC choices. Here, they  will receive advice and guidance from the Careers Department to help them make informed decisions when choosing Key Stage 4 options. Students will spend time exploring the courses available to them in Key Stage 4 and beyond.

Dedicated parental presentations and information evenings [format depending on restrictions] help inform parents of the choices available to your children. During the entire decision-making process the careers team and in particular our impartial adviser Lindsay are available to support this transition. In addition to visits to tutor groups and a presence throughout all of the ‘options’ events, one-to-one appointments exist to support students in this transition process.