Gatsby Benchmark Seven: Encounters with Further and Higher Education
“All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.”
(Good Career Guidance-The Gatsby Foundation)
- Our extensive links with learning providers enables our students to gain an understanding of the full range of study options available at key transition points in Year 9 and Year 11.
- We ensure that all of our pupils have encounters with providers of further and higher education, apprenticeships and other forms of work based training.
- To assist with their options choices, our local colleges and training providers attend parents’ evening and options evening in Year 9. Here, pupils and parents having the opportunity to discuss future post-16 opportunities as well as gain an insight into the vocational qualifications offered in partnership with Preston’s College and Preston Vocational centre in Year 10 and Year 11.
- In Year 10, our learning providers are present at parents’ evening in addition to the careers fair.
- Work experience provides an opportunity for our Year 10 pupils to speak with future and employers and staff about the academic or technical routes needed for a particular role.
- During the summer term our Year 10 pupils experience a ‘taster day’ at Cardinal Newman and Preston’s College. Here, in addition to sampling college life, they are given further opportunity to speak with staff and students. We also aim to facilitate a similar experience for pupils who express an interest in our other local colleges such as Myerscough and Runshaw.
- In Year 11, our pupils meet regularly with our local colleges, who host assemblies, drop in events and small group sessions within school in addition to external open day events throughout the year.
- During the autumn term, pupils with an interest in more vocational pathways attend the ‘National Apprenticeship Show’ in Bolton and ‘Workskills Live’ in Birmingham. Here they meet with future training providers and learn from potential employers and their staff.
- Pupils with either graduate or apprenticeship ambitions utilise the interactive online video platform ‘Learn Live’.
- Throughout Year 11, various staff, employers and training providers are invited to talk to our pupils as part of our ‘Careers Cafe’ events. Pupils who are interested in each particular field are invited to attend and gain a greater insight into a particular career path. You can view an example here.
