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EPT

Careers Programme Intent

Engage. Enjoy. Achieve.

All young people need a planned programme of activities both to help them choose appropriate pathways at 14 and 16 to enable them to manage their careers, career progression and sustain employability throughout their lives. At The Heights, Blackburn we aim to provide impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) to support students’ transition, not only to further or higher education, vocational training or employment. We want students to ENGAGE in all activities and encounters, ENJOY their time partaking in activities and ACHIEVE their careers goals. The CEIAG Programme has been developed to engage parents and local employers, both in school and externally, to support our students in becoming employable and aspirational young people in accordance with the recommended Gatsby Benchmarks.

Nurture Primary (KS2) – ‘Explore’ – We believe discussing careers at an early stage allows pupils to develop ambition and future goals. By encouraging our KS2 pupils to explore various career pathways, we can introduce them to various worlds of work. This also encourages students to develop respect for other professions and feel inspired by their roles. This coincides with their thematic curriculum and enrichment as set out by the Nurture Provision.

Years 7 & 8 Nurture – ‘Discover’ – In Nurture, We aim to develop their knowledge and understanding on working roles and rights including gender stereotypes in careers and minority groups within the working world. We broaden their horizons into looking towards the future and continue to encourage ambition and self-confidence. We discuss and provide opportunities for career skills development such as communication, team work, Listening and problem solving skills. We aim to increase awareness of the variety of future job roles including pathways on attaining them such as university, college or apprenticeships. We also facilitate a growing awareness of self-esteem, self-care and physical/mental well being in preparation for the workplace.

Year 9 – ‘Engage’ – In Year 9, We aim to empower our students to make informed decisions about GCSE choices and future post 16 choices. We broaden their horizons into looking towards the future and continue to encourage ambition and self-confidence. Learners will continue to develop their own key skills needed for future employment or study. Learners will be offered a number of opportunities including engagement with employers and Post 16 Providers to help inform future choices. We will support Learners in developing their knowledge of both Academic, Vocational & Technical Pathways, whilst preparing Learners to make appropriate choices for their next steps in choosing their vocational and GCSE pathways, whether that is with us or back in their mainstream school.

Year 10 – ‘Developing Potential’ – At KS4, we ensure careers are embedded throughout the curriculum plans and daily teaching of both vocational areas and core subjects. We provide opportunities to engage and have meaningful encounters with employers. We facilitate students’ opportunities to experience both Foundational Education (college/apprenticeships) and Higher Education (University and beyond). We offer this by arranging enrichment visits to universities, colleges and workplaces. We also encourage growing links with local employers and are working towards developing further links where key employers come into school and discuss their roles and career pathway. Work Experience is offered to all Year 10 learners to help them experience their future Careers choices and help them make an informed decision on their next steps as they transition towards Year 11.

Year 11 – ‘Achieve’ – In Year 11, we ensure students can make informed decisions to transition to their chosen post 16 options whether this is A levels, employment or further training such as apprenticeships. We provide opportunities for Social Action in order for students to contribute to society by completing charity work and work placements with local employers. We encourage and nurture skills such as CV writing, personal statement writing and how to search and apply for their next steps. We arrange assemblies with Foundational Educational and Higher Educational providers and arrange careers events both internally and externally. We complete an individualised plan for progression for each student including additional support for students with diverse learning and social needs. We provide support during interview processes for apprenticeships, colleges or employment. This also includes assisting students needing further inspiration into their future by attending career events, colleges and universities. We also provide additional recovery careers support for students who arrive at our provision later on in the academic year. This is to ensure that every student gains every opportunity for their future whilst at The Heights.

Careers Team

Learners at The Heights have access to impartial Information, Advice and Guidance, from dedicated members of staff who work closely with pupils on a day to day basis, from all levels of school leadership.

The School’s Career Lead is Mr Ross Doohan, who can be contacted either via email or phone.

If you are an employer or post 16 provider wishing to visit school, you can contact Mr Doohan on the email below, we also request any marketing material be sent to the below contact also:

Mr R Doohan
Careers Lead

ross.doohan@theheightsfreeschool.org

01254 261655 or 07591 042491

Mr Doohan’s Role is to coordinate the school’s CEIAG Programme and advise the Senior Leadership on all aspects of Careers Education within school, Mr Doohan is also responsible for KS5 Transition and Work Experience. Mr Doohan oversees the coordination and delivery of Level 6 Information, advice and guidance (IAG) at The Heights, in conjunction with New Directions.

As part of his role he works closely with both the Pastoral & SEND teams to ensure the programme is adaptable for the needs of the learners at The Heights.

Mr Doohan holds the L6 Careers Leader Qualification.

Mr Doohan is one of the Community Practice Leads for Lancashire Careers Hub.

Miss H Morris
Assistant Headteacher 

& Careers SLT Link

helen.morris@theheigthsfreeschool.org

Miss Morris’ role is to support the Careers Lead (Mr Doohan) in the Implementation and Intent of the Careers Programme alongside the wider Senior Leadership Team.

Mr Doohan & Miss Morris meet on a regular basis to review the impact and implementation of the Careers Provision. Miss Morris role is to ensure that Careers has a voice on the school’s SLT.

Miss Morris provides a key role in ensuring the Careers Programme is implemented throughout school and provides additional resources for the Careers Lead when needed.

Janet Hope-Holden
Careers Advisor
New Directions

enquiries@theheightsfreeschool.org

Janet’s role in school is to provides independent and impartial advice and guidance to young people within school, Janet is Level 6 IAG qualified and is a registered Careers Advisor with the CDI.  Janet is from the traded service; New Directions, The Blackburn with Darwen Careers Service.

Janet work’s in schools on alternative Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Janet also supports at a number of other school activates such as National Careers Week and Careers – Super Learning Days. Janet also works with Year 7 – 10, providing individual and group IAG Workshops and information sessions around Post 16 Options and choices.

If you wish to contact Janet, you can do this by contacting the school office or Mr Doohan via email.

Carolann Thompson
Enterprise Advisor (Amplify Success)

Carolann’s Role as Enterprise Advisor provides both strategic and operational support for Mr Doohan and the Careers Team, supporting with events and activities such as the school’s annual Careers Fair and Year 11 Mock Interviews.

Carolann’s Business insight provides support for the school in reaching employers developing the school Business Network. Being the relation of a former Heights pupils, Carol Ann understands the needs of the learners at The Heights and how she can support and overcome any barriers learners may have in gaining employment or training.

Support from the Wider School & Community

The Careers Team is supported by the School’s wider Pastoral & SEND Teams.

The Schools Careers & Personal Development Governor is Matthew O’Boyle, whose role is support and advice of the impact of the Careers Programme.

Mr Doohan & Miss Morris work closely with the School’s Personal Development Lead & Other Senior Leaders within school such as the Deputy Headteacher for Quality of Education, Designated Safeguarding Lead, SENDCo and Nurture Lead. The Careers Lead also works closely with the School’s Subject Leaders.

The Heights Careers Lead is supported by Inspira Enterprise Coordinator; Kimberley Helm. Who’s role is to support and guide the Careers Team and provide Quality Assurance for the School’s Careers Programme and be a Key link for the school connecting The Heights to the Lancashire Careers Hub. Mr Doohan also works with the Careers Hub’s Kim & the Inclusion Team providing support and best practice to other schools within the Careers Hub, as part of his Community of Practice Lead Role.

If you wish to contact the Careers Team regarding any general programme enquiries or wish to support the delivery of the programme.

Please contact ross.doohan@theheightsfreeschool.org  and a member of the team will contact you.

“The culture and ethos of the school encourages a caring and supportive environment in which learning and good behaviour can flourish.”

Ofsted

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