Careers Education

A young person’s career is their pathway through learning and work, and if a young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan, it is even more crucial that all aspects of preparation for their next steps are taken into account. All young people need a planned programme of activities throughout their school years to help them to make choices that are right for them and be able to manage their careers throughout their lives. At King Edwin School we aim to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and attributes to make the most of changing opportunities in learning and work, and to help them identify appropriate strategies and coping skills for their post 16 placement. 

It is important that students are helped to make informed decisions about the relevant pathways to support their longer term plans. We have a planned programme in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 and are working towards the Gatsby Benchmarks and with reference to the Careers guidance and access for education and training providers. We also work to ensure that a young person's Education, Health and Care plan is one which will support their future and realistic aspirations, and work with our young people, families and post 16 providers (such as colleges or apprenticeship providers) to ensure that all are prepared for their next steps.

We strive to provide a varied and personalised careers education and support programme to our students and give impartial information, advice and guidance.  We have professionally qualified careers staff attend our school to support our secondary students.

If you require any further information relating to career pathways, please do not hesitate to contact the school office:   KEadmin@kingedwinschool.org.uk

Our School Careers Programme

We aim to enable our students to develop the personal skills to become effective and independent citizens, who are able to make informed and realistic decisions in preparation for moving on to their next steps whether that be post 16 study, training or supported employment.

Careers preparations are done in the following ways:

  • Understanding yourself/Self-Development/self confidence development
  • Career Research and Exploration
  • Life Skills/Employability Skills
  • Enterprise Skills
  • Instilling an ethos of resilience and self- determination as a learner
  • Making the most of careers information, advice and guidance
  • Learning how to make and adjust plans to manage change and transition.
  • Handling the application and selection process
  • Developing an awareness of personal financial capability

Careers Education and Work Related Learning is delivered through discrete careers lessons, our tutor time, Duke of Edinburgh sessions, PSHE/citizenship sessions, circle time, discussed during 6 weekly reports and during reviews, and supported during and planned events in and out of school. Each year group from Y7 to Y11 has planned activities. Parents are also welcomed into the process. Your child's tutor will regularly discuss their career aspirations with them and the links between progress in school and their pathways into future education and employment.

Key Stage 3

Students in Y7, 8 and 9 attend a variety of subject taster sessions in school during the school 'Options' offer. 

This can be as short as a half term or can run throughout the year.  Students also participate in a variety of in school and external activities and events throughout Key Stage3 to explore careers in a variety of sectors. 

Below are examples of our KS3 activities:

  • Vocational taster days (local colleges) 
  • University taster days (local university)  
  • Weekly Duke of Edinburgh days (employability skills development days)

Key Stage 4

Students participate in a variety of in school and external activities, assemblies and events in key Stage 4 to support their career ideas and exploration.  All students are offered a one to one careers guidance meeting with an external impartial careers guidance colleague and advisors from the young person's local authority SEN team attend their reviews in Years 9 and 11 to ensure this impartial guidance is supportive and effective. 

Below are some of our KS4 activities:

  • College Taster Days 
  • Mock Interviews 
  • Supported college open evenings attendance/ supported interviews (individual)
  • Enterprise projects
  • Careers sessions 
  • Employers and Skills Fair 
  • Supported experience placement 
"Hiya this is XXX' Mam. He was a student at King Edwin's a few years ago. This is just to give you a progress update - he has just finished his first portfolio of work at Middlesbrough college and it was used by Pearson as an example of what distinction star work looks like. He's been accepted at 4 different universities including Future Works In Manchester which gave him an unconditional offer based on his portfolio. He has accepted an offer from Hertfordshire and we are moving there in two weeks. As a parent, I worried what the future might hold for him and although there have been many challenges (he is still very shy) there are many opportunities and life has a way of working out. Just a thank you from both of us for the support you gave when we needed it most - different not less!"

Parent of a Student

Sameer - Year 11 Leaver 2020

Sameer graduated from King Edwin in Summer 2020 and embarked on an equine studies apprenticeship after doing lots of exploration and visits. 

We caught up with him in September 2021 to discuss his next steps. Watch his video below;

Careers Websites

Training Providers Locally

This is not an exhaustive list and we will continue to add to it!

Local Colleges 

Other Information Sources