Careers

pupils at desk in classroom

Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

Our strategy has been developed in line with the DfE document: Careers strategy: making the most of everyone’s skills and talents (4th December 2017)

We want to create a stronger, fairer society in which people from all backgrounds can realise their potential. A thriving careers system, that is accessible to everyone, is at the heart of our focus on social mobility. We must break down the barriers to progress that too many people in our country face today, and give young people the skills to get on in life. Our careers strategy will support everyone, whatever their age, to go as far as their talents will take them and have a rewarding career. - The Rt Hon Anne Milton MP Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills and Minister for Women

CEIAG has a focus on six attributes, skills or actions needed to achieve career goals and aspirations. The six areas can be nicely organised into the word ‘Career’:

  • Consider your interests, your strengths, and your skills;
  • Ambition: The sky’s the limit.
  • Research what you need to get there (GCSEs, A levels, a degree, professional qualifications?);
  • Enterprise: Grasp opportunities that could enhance your skills;
  • Excitement: Passion for your dreams and reading around the subject are important;
  • Responsibility: Work hard, ask questions and discuss with anyone that will listen.

Further Reading:

We are aware that the job market is forever evolving so if you ever see a gap in our provision please contact us. 

Our Careers lead is Mr P Iberi who can be contacted via the contacts page on our website. Please click here: St Andrew the Apostle  

What we do

The aim of our CEIAG programme is to provide all students with a range of opportunities to develop in this area, within and beyond the curriculum, and to ensure that staff, governors, families and the wider community are involved in securing high aspirations for each and every student. Our careers programme is becoming an integral element of the St Andrews curriculum, providing all students with the careers education, information, advice and guidance that they need to realise the most ambitious of aspirations. We develop this at all key stages as follows:

Key Stage 3

  • Unifrog online service provides a focus on subjects, jobs and GCSE choices.
  • The options programme for Year 9 is designed to support them in their GCSE choices.
  • The pastoral curriculum in Year 7-9 covers economic well-being, active citizenship and develops enterprise and entrepreneurship. 

Key Stage 4

  • Unifrog online service provides a focus on CV writing, universities, apprenticeships, colleges, sixth forms and online courses.
  • Unifrog will be used to collate useful progression information (activities, competences and interactions).
  • One-to-one careers discussions with a Careers Advisor in Year 10 inform individual Careers Plans for use by students, their tutors and their Heads of Year.
  • Students take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. The majority of students participate in the Bronze Award. Many students participate in the Silver Award.
  • All students completing the Duke if Edinburgh award will complete an element of volunteering.
  • Extra-curricular clubs and trips support students in developing their understanding of a range of subjects.
  • The options programme for Year 11 supports students' A Level choices.
  • The pastoral curriculum in Year 10-11 covers economic well-being, active citizenship and charity fundraising.

Key Stage 5

  • Unifrog online service focuses on CV writing, universities, apprenticeships and MOOCS.
  • Unifrog will be used to collate useful progression information (activities, competences and interactions).
  • Unifrog will be used to support production of UCAS application forms, personal statements and teacher references.
  • A Higher Education lesson, as part of the curriculum, to be run during Year 12.
  • Students in the Sixth Form will be encouraged to visit university open days, masterclasses, taster courses and summer schools at a variety of universities, to develop their application profile.
  • The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) helps develop invaluable research and independent learning skills which are central to higher education.
  • There is a dedicated team to support students with the UCAS process. Each student will have support tailored to their application from a subject advisor, their form tutor and the Sixth Form team.
  • Interview preparation, practice and workshops are led by departments and the Sixth Form team.
  • There is preparation for, and support with, aptitude and pre-admissions tests.
  • The pastoral curriculum for Years 12-13 will include lessons on life at university, including finances.
  • Charity fundraising and enterprise activities will be encouraged e.g. the Young Enterprise competition and RAG Week fundraising.
  • Sixth Form students will be encouraged to undertake volunteering and work experience to support their university applications. A range of opportunities will be advertised throughout the academic year, as appropriate to specific students.
  •  
  • Careers Task Force Events

    We will be running a careers sessions after school, in which we invite members of our community to talk about their career and the journey that led them there. We also choose a soft, transferable skill as a focus of the evening. So far we have covered Team Work and Communication.

    Other Providers

    St Andrew the Apostle welcomes the involvement of other education providers to enable our students to access the widest range of appropriate courses. Involvement of these other institutions is covered by our Provider Access Policy

    Gatsby Benchmarks

    In order to meet our statutory requirements with CEIAG we use the Gatsby benchmarks to guide our policy and practice.The eight benchmarks are:

    1. A stable careers programme
    2. Learning from career and labour market information
    3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
    4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
    5. Encounters with employers and employees
    6. Experiences of workplaces
    7. Encounters with further and higher education
    8. Personal guidance

    Tutor Programme & PSHCE

    Our tutor programme  will cover aspects of CIAG where possible, in conjunction with our PSHCE programme. 

    • Year 7 – Growing up (Settling in)
    • Year 8 – Money Management (NAT WEST)
    • Year 9 – My Future (Options)
    • Year 10 – The World of Work (Work Experience)
    • Year 11 – Choices, Choices (Post 16 Education)
    • Year 12 – Where will I go? (Applications/Progression)
    • Year 13 – The Final Push (Life beyond school)

    CEIAG issues will also appear in our weekly Votes for Schools sessions.