Bright Futures

Aurora Cedars School Careers Programme

Careers and Pathways at Aurora Cedars School are crucial parts of our students' journeys. The Pathways Curriculum links taught lessons, Active Citizens, and Active Citizens Life Skills with Career events and fairs throughout the academic year.

The Gatsby Benchmarks

1. A stable Careers Programme

Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.

Aurora Cedars have developed a clear, well established careers programme which is embedded through the school’s career policy. Aurora Cedars evaluates the effectiveness of the careers programme annually, and an action plan is implemented to aid further development.
Aurora Cedars take into consideration feedback regarding the careers programme from students, parents, and teachers by asking them to complete a survey based on guidance and support given in relation to careers.
All pupils receive independent careers advice annually from years 9-11 and post 16.
A report is produced by the independent career’s advisor with a summary of the careers meeting, goals both long term and short term for the pupil, provided with research opportunities such as websites, links to look at for the student and for the parent also based on colleges, apprenticeships, and other pathway routes.
Pupils also have access to additional visitors throughout the academic year

2. Learning from career and labour market information

Aurora Cedars encourage and support parents/ carers by informing them about future study options, career transition pathways, and provide them with up to date information about the labour market. During annual reviews personalised pathways are discussed for students which supports parents and decisions for the future. Students have their own ‘My Pathway’ document which is updated by staff at Aurora and shared within students EHCP meetings with both parents/ carers.
All curriculum areas have a subject specific display board linked to labour market information based on their own subject area accessible for students to read about statistics and jobs which could be a possible option for the future based on the subject itself.
As part of the students weekly Pathways lessons, students have the opportunity to focus upon careers. Students complete activities from the National Careers pack such as Labour Market information, PSHE- employability- career options, Maths links- wage slips, budgeting. Within English- CV writing, personal statements.

3. Addressing the needs of each student

Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.

Students have individual independent careers advice. Systematic records are kept at Aurora Cedars within each student’s individual pathway file. Documents are kept online and accessible for staff. Copies of reports are sent to parents/carers.
During EHCP reviews parents/ carers are provided with a copy of the careers programme. Parents/ carers receive a hard copy of the students individual career report which includes next steps and suggested actions. These actions are often addressed by the form tutor and within Pathways lessons, by providing time in tutor time to work towards the set targets i.e. additional research on future colleges, entry requirements, links to websites etc. Students have access to these documents and are regularly updated as a live working document in order to support their career development.
Aurora Cedars collect and maintain accurate data for each pupil on their education, work experience, using the careers and post 16 tracker where all of this information is documented and regularly updated.
Information is shared with parents/ carers about all activities taking place such as Active Citizens and Active Citizens Life Skills/ Enterprises/College visits/Careers week.

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.

At Aurora Cedars students are provided with a broad and balanced curriculum where links are made to careers across a range of subjects and topic areas. Students have the opportunity to work with external people.
Students have the opportunity to take part in the Annual Careers week where external speakers are invited in to discuss a broad variety of career options to provide an insight of what each job entails, possible options for the future in line with own pathway and career aspirations.
All KS3 and 4 students take part in weekly Active Citizens Life Skills an initiative to develop life skills, personal and social development and independent travel support, again providing students with real life experiences linked to possible careers and future aspirations.

5. Encounters with employers and employees

At Aurora Cedars students are provided with enrichment activities such as having educational visitors to speak to students about skills required and valued within the workplace.
Students learn about different careers available through Careers week where guest speakers come in to discuss different jobs, skills, attributes to the role. A vast variety of speakers are considered to suit students interests and career aspirations for the future.
Aurora Cedars plans at least 1 career fair/event per academic year for Yr. 10 and 11 students.

6. Experiences of workplaces

At Aurora Cedars students engage in work experience through Active Citizens Life Skills sessions such as work at Compton Care and Albright Moat. A Health and Safety Assessment is carried out to ensure the placement is suitable for the students. The placement is based around the students interests and career pathway. Students are given an insight of how to prepare for the world of work, as well as the skills and attributes required for the job role. Students then get an understanding throughout the duration of the work experience placement as to whether or not they like the career choice or if they may wish to look at something else.
Students engage with the local community in offering support to community groups such as The Good Shepard, supporting local residents requiring access to their food bank.

7. Encounters with further and higher education

All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.

Students at Aurora Cedars have a full range of learning opportunities which are made available to them such as college visits, sixth forms, apprenticeship providers or universities. At Aurora Cedars students have had the opportunity to visit colleges and Universities within Active Citizens Life Skills. Students are given the opportunity during these visits to meet both staff and pupils.
Students are provided with the option to explore both academic and vocational pathways depending on individual preferences and the students needs. Options may include more life skill, practical hands on opportunities.
Parents/ carers are invited to attend parents evening. During this evening pathways and careers are discussed. The Careers advisor is also available during this evening to also help to assist both parents/ carers.

8. Personal guidance

Every student should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a trained career adviser. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made.

All Students receive careers advice and guidance from a trained careers advisor from Years 9-11. Interviews with the careers advisor are offered to each student either on a 1:1 basis or within a small group.
The careers discussion is a typed document which is handed out to both parents/ carers and is stored in the students Individual Pathway folder. Actions from the discussion are checked upon throughout the academic year to see if short term goals, long term goals have been worked upon, achieved etc.
Where students need an ad-hoc appointment we facilitate this.