Accessibility Tools
Everyone aspires to create a stronger, fairer society in which people from all backgrounds can realise their potential. To facilitate this, a thriving careers programme, that is accessible to all, is fundamental. The recently introduced careers strategy, Making the Most of Everyone’s Skills and Talents, aims to support everyone, to go as far as their talents will take them. We want everyone to have an opportunity to build a rewarding career.
Our Aim at West Moors Middle School
Our aim is to build on Gatsby Principles so that every Year 7 and 8 student at our school should have knowledge of their own strengths and be able to link these strengths to possible future education and career opportunities.
Why consider careers at middle school age?
– Students are now having to make decisions on GCSE options in Year 9 – their first year in upper school. We want to prepare students for these decisions in good time, so they have time to reflect on their options.
– Students who have thought about their possible career destination are more likely to be motivated to work their best and achieve in their chosen area.
– Even for those who do not wish to make choices yet, considering their future prospects encourages students to take responsibility for their learning and discuss their future with parents and/ or carers.
– Students understand how to apply for a job and to consider the attributes and qualities employers may look for.
The careers plan at West Moors Middle School sets out how the school intends to provide a careers programme, which will provide all pupils with the knowledge, inspiration and ability to take ownership of their own career plans. It aims to challenge perceptions and raise aspirations so that subject choices and career choices are free from gender bias. The plan should encourage pupils to look beyond their current environment and to help pupils investigate new and exciting career possibilities.
The school undertakes the following careers-related activities:
– We coordinate our careers provision with upper schools to ensure we compliment what they do. Ferndown Upper School provide an excellent, annual day of Careers advice.
– Key stage 3 pupils have a visit from Bournemouth University to discuss FE and Degree level courses. This is followed-up by our University visit for our vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils where they might not otherwise consider this an option.
– We provide opportunities for employers to visit the school to provide students with experiences of the world of work.
– We organise visits to employers for groups of students.
– We provide opportunities for local further education establishments to visit the school, to give students a clearer idea of the education options available to them in the future.
– We point out the relevance of what we teach in the classroom to the world of work, especially for the STEM subjects of Science, Design Technology and Maths.
– Curriculum Intent and implementation – careers education as an integral part of our PSHE lessons.
Year 7 Entitlement Pupils are encouraged to identify personal traits, strengths and skills; to develop self-confidence and to have a positive outlook, setting themselves high expectations.
All Year 7 pupils will have at least one meaningful employer interaction. Subject staff will talk about careers in their field of expertise and explain to the pupils how access up-to-date career and labour market information. All Year 7 pupils will spend 2.5 hours working alongside Bournemouth University completing a STEM challenge. Assembly event promoting Bournemouth Arts University and possible course and career options. Back to Careers Guidance
Year 8 Entitlement Pupils are encouraged to look at their personal strengths and skills and how these may help them to achieve their career goal.
Pupils will research a choice of career in order to understand what the requirements to achieve their career goal would be. Pupils will be taught how to write a simple CV.
Individuals are then encouraged to look at actions they may need to take to improve their employability. All pupils will play the How Do I Get a Job game; to help them understand appropriate behaviours for the world of work. Subject staff will talk about careers in their field of expertise and explain to the pupils how to find out more. All Year 8 pupils will have at least one meaningful employer interaction. All Year 8 pupils will spend 2.5 hours working alongside Bournemouth University completing a STEM challenge.
All Year 8 pupils will have the opportunity to discuss their dreams and possible careers at an event organised by Ferndown Upper School. Assembly event promoting Bournemouth Arts University and possible course and career options.
All Year 8 pupils to attend a HE Experience Day at Bournemouth University. Back to Careers Guidance
Recommended tools for helping students and parents with career choices:
Curriculum Map
In 2022/23, drawing on our ‘Big Ideas’ curriculum, we ensure that the key skills and essential knowledge we have identified permeate our curriculum from year 5 to year 8, allowing our pupils to make links in their learning as well as develop the ability to think more deeply about what they are learning. In this respect, pupils’ learning is meaningful and purposeful, and designed in a range of contexts, which offer breadth and variety to their learning.
The Career’s Leader is Mrs Cope. She can be contacted via office@westmoorsmid.dorset.sch.uk or by telephoning the school office on 01202 872474.
The next Careers Compass Evaluation takes place is completed termly, in liaison with Dorset Council’s Careers Coordinator.
