Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance Programme (CEIAG)

Careers Lead – Steve Langdown – langdowns@testvalley.hants.sch.uk

Our independent careers adviser is Mary Williams –  careers@testvalley.hants.sch.uk

Test Valley School is committed to providing a high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) programme to all pupils and their parents.

In line with the statutory guidance produced by the DFE and the Gatsby Benchmarks, pupils receive careers guidance embedded into the curriculum in addition to dedicated one to one opportunities and group work. CEIAG is incorporated into all year groups to stimulate the interests of pupils and to inspire them to reach their full potential.

Career Dreams Motivate!

At Test Valley School we realise that career dreams are one of the driving forces behind the purpose of education. The era of one job for life is long over with adults typically changing their job between 10 to 15 times during their working journey. Being skilled for life and skilled for change is very important but knowing which ladder to choose at the start of your journey is often a very difficult question to answer.

We provide a vast range of opportunities through an extensive careers programme. This is to support our pupils’ exploration into their career dreams. Our programme provides opportunities every year from Year 7 onwards through event days, assemblies, trips, work experience, personal guidance, subject led explorations and Parents’ Information Evenings.

Pupils will have experienced the following CEIAG opportunities by the time they leave school:

1. An embedded programme of careers education.
2. Access to Labour Market Information and future study opportunities.
3. The Career needs of individual students will be tailored and measured.
4. Careers and enterprise education and the curriculum is linked to real-world career pathways.
5. All students experience encounters with employers.
6. Pupils will engage with employers by attending off-site opportunities.
7. In-depth information encounters from further education providers and apprenticeships whilst in key stage 4.
8. All students experience encounters from higher education.
9. Personal and private guidance by an independent advisor and supported in school by the careers Lead
   
   Measured by pupil trackers and annual pupil voice for all years

Some ongoing examples of careers activities and opportunities:

• Workplace, Career Fair and College taster visits
• Tutor time careers-themed tasks
• One to one career guidance interviews, targeted from Year 8 and for all by Year 11
• Career focused event days for all year groups tailored to Year group stage needs and increasingly tailored to pupils needs in KS4.
• Updated online resources
• Work experience for Year 10 pupils
• Careers talks delivered by businesses from a wide range of sectors
• CV/personal statement writing skills
• Updated apprenticeship information and support with applications and interviews
• Impartial information for Post 16

Raising the Participation Age – All young people are required to continue in education or training until their 18th Birthday. This can be done in the following ways:

• Stay on full-time in a school, college or with a training provider (many young people also do a part time job alongside this).
• Work or volunteer full-time, together with part-time education or training.
• Take up an apprenticeship or traineeship

Links

• UniTasterDays —
  UniTasterDays provides a fantastic opportunity for pupils to regularly experience a wide variety of university courses and gain an insight into university life and career opportunities.
• Careers Advice for Parents and Young People — Career Adviser UK
• Local Information
• Test Valley Employment and Skills Zone