At Fairlands, pupils undertake a programme of careers education as part of their citizenship, health education and tutor enrichment programmes.
In Years 5 and 6, pupils develop awareness about careers now and in the future. Pupils are encouraged to widen their horizons and learn to not close down options. Throughout Years 7 and 8, pupils will develop knowledge about careers and the impact of making option choices and decisions.
YEAR 5
Careers Day – pupils learn about numerous professions that play an active role in community life. We will have the opportunity to showcase the wonderful work that the emergency services provide alongside a demonstration of the tools they use to support their job.
Fiver Challenge – a chance for pupils to learn about the world of business.
YEAR 6
Careers day – pupils learn about numerous professions that play an active role in community life. Pupils will be challenged on stereotypes associated with various roles. Pupils will learn about the opportunities in regards to vocational routes of education.
Money Matters – pupils gain basic financial awareness as well as budgeting and life skills.
YEAR 7
Careers day – pupils learn about numerous professions that play an active role in community life. A series of inspiring talks around how these individuals moved into their professions. They will be challenging stereotypes associated with various roles. Pupils will learn about the opportunities in regards to apprenticeships. Pupils will explore a virtual work experience opportunity.
My learning journey to work – pupils consider their skills, attributes and careers aspirations.l
Law and order – The legal system is not only central to citizenship in the UK, but offers a wide range of employment from judges to ushers and so much more.
YEAR 8
Careers day – pupils will explore independent training provider opportunities. Pupils aspirations will be challenged around higher eduation opportunities.
My learning journey to work – pupils consider their skills, attributes and career aspirations. Pupils will look at future jobs and interview skills.
Next steps – choosing GCSE options – as pupils prepare for the next steps in their KS3 education, we support pupils and their families to make the best choices for them.
Advertising campaign – a memorable moment for the Year 8 pupils at Fairlands is their participation in the advertising campaign as they hone their entrepreneurial potential to succeed in wheeling and dealing.
Information sources
Within school, we use Careerpilot and icould to support pupils’ careers education:
Careerpilot
The Western Vocational Progression Consortium of universities and colleges in the South of England aims to increase the progression of adults and young people to higher level study.
A small, dynamic charity that provides career inspiration and information for young people. icould offers different ways to think about careers through a range of interactive and informative resources.
There are, however, many useful resources and websites available that provide career guidance and support vocational decision making:
Here you can find information, advice and guidance to help make decisions on learning, training and work, including help and support with CVs, skills reviewing and course finding.
A fee online library of film, news and information relating to the world of work, which delivers a new way for pupils to explore their options.
A free and comprehensive digital platform that informs pupils, parents and carers about the world of work, study options and choices, and employability.
Created by Barclays, LifeSkills’ single-minded ambition is to inspire young people to get the skills they need for a better future. Resources are provided for pupils, teachers, parents/carers and businesses.
A national careers website whose aim is to help young people make informed decisions about their future.
This government website provides a wide range of information for young people regarding apprenticeships, the benefits these bring and whether they might be the right route for them.
Student Padlet, Student & Parent Padlet Career Opportunities Padlet
The padlets are updated daily by the Somerset Careers Hub with opportunities relating to careers in all industries in Somerset and the rest of the South West as well as careers education resources.
Careers Staff Section
- The Career’s Leader is Martin Davis
- He is based in near reception and can be contacted via email on mdavis@fairlandsmiddleschool.co.uk or by phoning the school office on 01934 743186
- Our Careers Link Governor is Ed Davey
- We work in partnership with Somerset Careers Hub and Fairlands School are implementing and evaluated on the Gatsby Foundation’s eight Career Benchmarks of good practice
The 8 Gatsby Benchmarks are:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from careers and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
Teachers/Curriculum
Our PSHE/Careers and Citizenship Curriculum, ensures that the key skills and essential knowledge we have identified permeate our curriculum across all year groups, 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.
Link to our PSHE/Careers/Citizenship curriculum map
All teachers include careers into their lessons, develop student’s employability skills. Staff have access to a wide range of resources on the school Intranet to showcase careers in their subject lessons. As an example; Benchmark 4 Portal
Teachers are encouraged to implement the below into the curriculum:
- Have a prominent display that links subject learning and skill development to different careers
- Develop links with businesses and organisations
- To invite alumni and other external speakers to come into school (virtually where an actual visit is not feasible)
- where appropriate to organise external visits for students to local businesses/organisations
- Record careers learning opportunities for students in schemes of learning
- Take part in whole school ‘Careers Days’ where all teachers start their lesson with a careers focus, such as talking about their career pathway or showing a short film where people in a range of job roles explain the relevance of skills developed in a particular subject area to their role.
- Explore the possibility of developing real projects/challenges for students with a local business or organisation
- Consider the needs and interests of all students and ensure that information challenges career stereotyping including gender, race and disability
Employers and Training Providers
At Fairlands Middle School we are busy growing your employees of the future. We welcome the help of local businesses to raise their career aspirations, develop their employability skills and learn more about the exciting industries in Somerset.
We welcome Training Providers and employees to come into school and talk to our pupils. Please Access Provider Access Policy/Baker Clause here.
