Careers
Careers at West Lancashire Community High School
Our Vision
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To educate, advise and inform our students of all pathways that will lead them to employment.
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To deliver a broad and balanced careers program that will raise aspirations.
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To develop employability skills for them to be positive members of our society and our future workforce.
Aims and Purpose
- Prepare students for the transition to adult life after West Lancashire Community High School through curriculum and career learning.
- Support students in making informed decisions that are appropriate for them, learning from information provided including Labour Market Intelligence.
- Provide students with well-rounded experiences through a stable careers programme.
- Develop personal characteristics such as social skills, communication, independence and resilience through the implementation of Skillsbuilder and encounters with employers and employees.
- Inspire and motivate students to develop themselves as individuals and live as independently as possible.
- To provide students with the experiences of the workplace through work-related learning.
- To provide students with the opportunity to receive CEIAG and encounter career opportunities appropriate to their needs.
Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 3
- Students learn about the local community jobs and their roles.
- Students learn about themselves, their qualities and skills.
- Students learn about being independent.
- Students take part in Enterprise Day.
Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 4
- Students learn about colleges through weekly college links.
- Students learn about business and enterprise.
- Students participate in Enterprise Day.
- Students will learn about employability through ASDAN short course accreditations.
- Students have the opportunity to take part in two work experience placement.
Teaching and Learning at Key Stage 5
- Students learn about college and experience learning in a variety of vocational areas.
- Students learn about business and enterprise.
- Students learn about employability and getting ready for work through ASDAN Careers short course programme.
- Students take part in a weekly work placement closely linked to their future aspirations and goals.
- Students have the opportunity to take part in community project work within the local community.
Ways I can help at home
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Encourage your child to be prepared when they take part in work experience.
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Encourage your child to be organised.
- Encourage your child to be aware of their skills and qualities.
Academic Pathways
Careers Journey
Please click on the link below to track the careers journey and opportunities for students and young adults at West Lancashire Community High School.
Gatsby Benchmarks
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The eight Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good career guidance developed to support schools and based on good practice across the world.
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More information about Gatsby Benchmarks can be found in the documents below.
Gatsby Benchmarking
Stable Careers Programme
West Lancashire Community High school provides stable careers learning for all students from Y7 to Y14. The programme of study within each Key Stage provides students with learning experiences and opportunities to allow them identify their aspiration and goals. In addition to this all students develop their skills through the Skillsbuilder programme.
The careers programme is supportive of student's abilities, strengths and skills.
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KS3 Y7-Y9 |
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term
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Skills builder |
Speaking & Listening Skills
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Problem Solving |
Creativity |
Aiming High |
Staying Positive |
Leadership |
Teamwork |
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Cycle 1
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Fair Trade Awareness of the Working World Jobs in my Community Visiting a workplace
Being Independent Making a drink or a snack
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My Environment Engaging in the Community Places I visit The environment
Being Independent Dangers |
Space Looking after Myself Feelings Personal hygiene
Being Independent Using Technology |
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Cycle 2
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Around the World Looking after Myself Choosing clothes Eating Healthy
Being Independent Jobs I do at home |
Farm to Fork Awareness of the Working World Working outdoors Equipment used at work
Being Independent Making a drink or a snack
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Lights Camera Action Engaging in the Community Clubs & Events Helping others
Being Independent Using Technology |
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Cycle 3
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Best of British Engagement in the Community Help and support Travel and transport
Being Independent Using kitchen appliances
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Looking After Me Looking after Myself Being Active Local health services
Being Independent Personal information
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Animal Kingdom Awareness of the Working World Jobs my family and friends do Working indoors
Being Independent Dangers
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Careers Events |
Educational Visit to the World Museum Enterprise - Christmas Markets
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Educational Visit to the Farm |
Guest Speakers |
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KS4 Y10-Y11 |
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term
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Cycle 1 ASDAN Employability Skills and Development Challenges |
Self- Assessment checklist Exploring Job Opportunities Section 10:1 Self-Management Section 1:1 Section 1:3 Team working Section 2:1 |
Challenges Team working Section 1:6 Business & Enterprise Section 3:7 Exploring Job Opportunities Section 10:3
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Challenges Exploring Job Opportunities Section 10:5 Applying for a job Section 9:2 Section 9:6
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Challenges IT in the workplace Section 8:1 Applying for a job Section 9:5 Section 9:1
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Challenges Applying for a job Section 9:3 Exploring Job Opportunities Section 10:2 Section 10:6 |
Challenges IT in the workplace Section 8:1 Applying for a job Section 9:4 Team working Section 2:4 |
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Cycle 2 ASDAN Employability Skills and Development Challenges
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Self- Assessment checklist IT in the workplace Section 8:1 Applying for a job Section 9:5 |
Challenges Communication Section 6:1 Section 6:7
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Challenges Applying for a job Section 9:3 Section 9:7
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Challenges Problem Solving Section 5:1 Section 5:4 Section 5:6
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Challenges Working with numbers Section 7:1 Section 6:2 |
Challenges Business & Enterprise Section 3:6 Section 5:2
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Career Events |
These units will help student to prepare for work placements at the end of KS4 and will be repeated each year DWP sessions to take place for Y11 students Section 12 – Health and Safety in the workplace – linked to Y11 placement
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Work Experience Placement Mini Enterprise for Y10’s to run at the same time as the 2 week work placement dates – Enterprise Fortnight. College Visits – Taster sessions Transition Events – 3 weeks transition support for Y11 students moving to KS5 Enterprise – Horticulture Open Day |
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College Link |
Weekly college placement |
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KS5 Y12-Y14 |
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term
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Cycle 1
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1.Self – Development 1A1 – Discuss your options and plans for the future with your groups, tutor or careers adviser. Make notes and find out more about new ideas you find interesting
1A2 – Make a list of;
And
Give a reason why you have included each of the items on your list, what makes you feel positive or uncertain about them and some examples of your experiences. 1A5 – Use an online careers resource to identify how your personal interests link to careers choices. Print out your results, and highlight key findings and careers that you would like to find out more about
Credit achievement - 1 |
3.Career Management 3A1 – Prepare/Update a CV that clearly includes the following:
Present your CV in a suitable format
5.Considering Apprenticeships 5A1 – What is an apprenticeship? Discuss this question as a group, making notes of the discussion. Identify the benefits of an apprenticeship and where you could find further information.
4. Considering Higher Education 4B4 – When you apply to Higher Education you have to write a Personal Statement that sets out all your achievements, skills, qualities and work experience. Imagine that you are applying this year. Write a draft of your personal statement, making sure that you highlight all the positives and try to stand out from the crowd.
Credit achievement - 1 |
6.Preparing for the Workplace 6A1 – Discuss with others the benefits of work experience. You could consider how it;
6A2 – Make a wish list of companies or organisations that you would like to do a work experience with. These might be based locally or in another area. You could use the internet or take a tout of your local area 6A4 – Send a letter to a company/organisation to apply for a work experience placement. Make sure you ask someone to check your letter for errors before sending it off
Credit achievement - 1 |
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Cycle 2
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1A6 – Find out about the skills, qualities and level of achievement requires for particular careers pathways. Compare them to the skills and qualities you have. 1A10 – Complete or update your CV or a personal record of your experience achievements, leisure interests and personal skills and qualities 1B2 – Take part in an enterprise project. Review the experience and reflect on how it has helped to develop your enterprise skills
Credit achievement - 1 |
3.Career Management 3A1 – Prepare/Update a CV that clearly includes the following:
Present your CV in a suitable format
5. Considering Apprenticeships 5A4 – Identify an apprenticeship that is of interest to you. Make a list of the typical duties you will be expected to carry out and the skills you would need to demonstrate 5A7 – Find out how much you can expect to earn as an apprenticeship and the current average working wage. Compare these to the cost of living
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6.Preparing for the Workplace 6A6 – Plan your journey to your work placement. You will need to consider what time you need to leave the house, what mode of transport you will use and how much your journey might cost 6A5 – Before starting your period of work experience, telephone your employer to make final arrangements for the placement. Ensure you make notes about what you want to say or ask beforehand
3.Career Management 3B1 – Take part in a discussion on how to present yourself in a positive manner during an interview. Consider issues such as:
Write up the discussion as a magazine article
Credit achievement - 1 |
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Cycle 3
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2.Career Exploration 2A1 – Interview or invite people to speak to your group about one of the following;
Discuss what you have learned with others. 2A3 – Collect information about all of the local opportunities for continuing your education and/or training, for example:
Keep a record of the information you collect 2A6 – Visit a 6th Form of FE College. Find out about the courses they offer and talk to others about what it is like to study there 2A7 – Use appropriate job search websites and /or other forms of advertising to identify jobs that interest you. Highlight the skills, qualities and qualifications required for each of the job, and relate these requirements to the skills, qualities and qualifications you already have or hope to achieve.
Credit achievement - 1 |
3.Career Management 3A1 – Prepare/Update a CV that clearly includes the following:
Present your CV in a suitable format
5.Considering Apprenticeships 5A2 – Discuss the difference between work experience and an apprenticeship Credit achievement – 1 (after 2 or 3 years study) |
6.Preparing for the Workplace 6B5 – Prepare a presentation on your planned work placement. You could include information on;
Deliver your presentation to others before your placement
3.Career Management 3B3 - Take part in either an interview or mock interview for a course, apprenticeship or training opportunity. Keep a record of:
Discuss your performance with others and compare experiences
Credit achievement - 2 |
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Careers Events |
College Open Days Guest Speakers Enterprise – Christmas Markets Weekly work placement |
College visits and taster sessions Weekly work placement |
College visits and taster sessions University visits and interactions Guest speakers Weekly work placement
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College/Social Enterprise Link |
10 week college placement Weekly social enterprise placement |
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Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
Students and families are provided with opportunities to gather information about the local offer. Students are provided with an opportunity to identify and discuss their aspirations and goals through the career element within their annual reviews. Families are supported with career information through annual reviews and transition events, including transition coffee morning and 1:1 support meetings.
LMIforall.org.uk provides some useful interactive resources to help support research into career options.
LMI for all Skillsometer - can help you discover what jobs you might like to do in the future. You will be presented with a series of statements. Select the emoji shows how you feel about each statement. You will then be given suggestions of jobs linked to what you most enjoy doing. For each job, you will be presented with some headline UK data.
https://www.lmiforall.org.uk/cm3/widget.html
LMI for all Careersometer - can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations, help you learn about different occupations and identify potential careers. It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation. Simply type in the title of the job you are interested in and the widget provides a series of options from which you can select the most relevant to you. You can then look up another two occupations and compare. You can also select ‘display the UK average’ and compare the information with the occupation you have selected.
Addressing the needs of each student
All students at West Lancashire Community High School have an Education, Health and Care Plan. Through the annual review process student needs are identified and support is put in place to enable them to fulfil their potential.
As students progress through school, all students in Y11 onwards are provided with work related learning. Students in Y11 are provided with the opportunity to take part in a two week work placement with students in Y12-Y14 given the opportunity to extend this to a weekly work placement for an academic year. Students are supported throughout the process and opportunities include 1:1 placements, small group supported placements and independent placements.
Linking Curriculum to Careers
West Lancashire Community High School has recently achieved Bronze award through Skillsbuilder. Skillsbuilder is embedded throughout the schools curriculum programmes and helps to develop and build the skills of the students as they become young adults and preparing them for being an adult in the wider community and employment.
Skillbuilder Principles
Keep it simple – consistent focus on the same skills, using the same language
Start early, keep going – mastering essential skills, using the same language
Measure it – identify progress and show next steps through observation and self-assessment
Focus tightly – building skills on a learners previous development and skill attainment
Keep practising – opportunities for reflection
Bring it to life – linking skills to the wider world
Skills Builder Overview
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Autumn |
Spring |
Summer
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Speaking and Listening
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Creativity & Problem solving |
Aiming High & Staying Positive |
Leadership & Teamwork
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Skills Builder is best when embedded throughout the curriculum, using the same language and consistent approach to enable students to develop skills to help them thrive.
‘We have learned a lot over the years about how best to build essential skills. We know that to have a real impact, the skills must be developed with consistency and focus. These principles hold true in every setting and for all learners’.
Skillsbuilder Parntership School
Encounters with Employers and Employees
Students at West Lancashire Community School are provided with opportunities and experiences to encounters employers and employees every year they are at school. These encounters result in a better understanding of the workplace and the potential career paths open to them.
Experiences of workplaces
Student have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to broaden their understanding and exploration of career opportunities.
As a school we work closely with many businesses who support our work placement opportunities and educational visits to the workplace.
If you are a business or an employer who would like to get involved in our careers programme to support our students, we'd love to hear from you.
Encounters with Further and Higher Education
Meaningful encounters with providers cover a wide range of ways young people can learn about their compulsory post-school options. Students at West Lancashire Community High are provide with off-site visits and direct interactions with key institutions, staff, and alumni which include local college and social care options. These encounters cover the full range of learning opportunities available to students.
Students and families are supported during these encounters to provide them with the information to inform future choices.
Personal Guidance
The term ‘career guidance’ is used to describe the full range of career-related interventions which support young people to make choices and to develop their career thinking.
West Lancashire Community High School offers support for all students as they approach their transitions years.