Aspirations and Careers

Meet the Careers Team at York High School

Entitlement Statement

The main aims of careers provision at York High School are to:

• Prepare pupils for life post-16 and post‐education.
• Inform and develop pupils’ understanding of different career paths.
• To highlight the relevance and importance of school.
• Develop pupils’ understanding of the differences between school and work.
• Inspire pupils to have high aspirations and to work towards achieving them.
• Help pupils to access information on the full range of post‐16 education and training opportunities.
• Support pupils after leaving school.
• Offer targeted support for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.
• Instil a healthy attitude towards work.

This policy is underpinned by Sections 42A and 45A of the Education Act 1997, and has regard to the DfE’s statutory guidance, ‘Careers guidance and inspiration in schools’, which was last updated in October 2018.

Our Careers Programme

Careers Guidance at York High connects learning to the future and is an integral part of Personal, Social and Health Education. Our aim is to motivate students by giving them a clearer idea of the routes to jobs and careers that they will find engaging and rewarding. We believe our careers guidance widens our students’ horizons, challenges stereotypes and raises aspirations. It provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make successful transitions to the next stage of their life. We support social mobility by improving opportunities for all students. The programme includes:

• Year 7: This year the focus is on students settling into and being part of the York High community. Students are made aware of links to future career paths throughout the curriculum.

• Year 8: This year the focus is on My Career Journey. Students are encouraged to recognise their skills and current achievements and link them into future aspirations.

• Year 9: This year the focus is on Your Future. Students are supported in choosing their option subjects.

• Year 10: This year the focus is on Preparation for Employment. All students take part in assemblies and drop down days. Through Citizenship, they take part in a Preparation for Employment, which looks at vital skills such as CV writing and interview skills. Students also take part in a Mock Interviews.
  Students are offered the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

• Year 11: This year the focus is on Exploring Pathways. All students have the opportunity to have an individual interview with our independent Careers Advisor. There is also an Exploring Pathways event in school which includes a mini Careers Fair, talks from local Post 16 providers, Colleges and Sixth Forms, as well as Universities, Employers and Apprenticeship providers. In the Autumn term students can attend Post 16 Open Evenings before taking part in the City of York Taster Day sessions in January.

• All Years: Trips and visits are run throughout the year linking careers to a number of subject areas.

You can find out more about our Careers Programme here.

How we measure and assess the impact of the careers programme

We will evaluate the success of the careers programme by:

• Published data: The Department for Education publishes a range of data on pupil destinations at 16 and 18, and we compare our school with all schools in England.
• Evaluating activities: We evaluate the success of each activity by asking our students and providers for feedback on the impact of all activities.

Through our strong partnership with NCOP, YHS students will meet with employers and other outside agencies to gain independent and impartial advice about the options which are best suited to them as individuals.

The careers curriculum is enriched through external support with opportunities to engage with external teams on a regular basis.

Should you wish to contact our aspirations and careers team to give feedback, or seek help, please email Mrs Callan: e.callan@yorkhigh.southbank.academy