Woodford County High School is committed to achieving The Gatsby Benchmarks through a well-planned careers programme for all students. Students will receive a wide range of independent guidance and advice to help them make important transitions at school and beyond as they progress towards their careers of choice.
Whole school support (general)
Woodford County students are entitled to…
- Access to and support from an impartial careers advisor.
- Personal support from form tutors and staff when making important decisions about their futures.
- Opportunities to develop their aspirations and widen their horizons.
- Opportunities to learn about the world of work through the Lecture Series, Alumni talks, workshops, trips and guest speakers.
- Opportunities to gain knowledge of the scope of choices available beyond the school.
- Opportunities to gain an understanding of the range of different job sectors available through curriculum links.
- Opportunities to build and develop employability and enterprise skills.
- Opportunities to gain knowledge of important changes in the ways that people work.
- Opportunities to investigate the possible impacts of diversity and stereotyping on life, learning and work.
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 students will be given the opportunity to…
- Participate in lessons that encourage them to think about future career options and skills Identify strengths and weaknesses, skills and interests.
- Take part in activities and events to develop independent learning and presentation skills – Enterprise Events.
- Participate in learning activities and events to develop employability skills such as teamwork, communication, decision making and problem-solving – e.g. Co-Curricular Day
- Take part in activities to develop enterprise skills – e.g. Haven House School Enterprise Project
- Attend assemblies or other briefings on subject options for GCSEs and how these may impact on future career decisions.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 students will be given the opportunity to…
- Attend careers guidance interviews with an independent careers advisor ( one-to-one and group sessions)
- Take part in year 11 work experience and Year 10 in ‘Take your daughter to work day’.
- Take part in learning activities and events to develop skills in communication, teamwork, decision making and problem-solving.
- Participate in activities to develop enterprise skills.
- Attend sessions at the beginning of yr 11 that detail post-16 options.
- Visit universities and colleges.
- Access online resources such as Fast Tomato and other useful links.
- Identify strengths, weaknesses, skills, interests and other career-related attributes via a self-assessment process.
- Develop and refine their CVs
- Learn about recruitment and selection processes for further education and employment.
- Receive personal support from staff and form tutors with making important decisions about post-16 options
- Learn about managing personal finances and budgeting.
- Attend our Careers Fair to begin to broaden their horizons to the wide variety of careers available to them.
Key Stage 5
Key Stage 5 students will be given the opportunity to…
- Visit universities, conferences and taster days.
- Access online resources such as Fast Tomato and other useful links.
- Identify skills, strengths, weaknesses, interests and values and how these can impact upon career paths.
- Learn about financial decision making and budgeting.
- Attend careers guidance interviews with an independent careers advisor.
- One on one future aspirations applications meetings
- Mock interviews and CV writing workshops
- Receive assistance and guidance on writing personal statements and UCAS applications
- Receive assistance and guidance on applying to Russell Group, Oxbridge and overseas universities
- Participate in employability-focused enrichment activities
- Develop their personal financial capabilities and explore financial implications of post-18 decision making
- Meet with alumni who have followed a range of career and post-18 pathways including apprenticeships, employment and higher education.