Year 10
Careers Fair
Focus: Students will be given the opportunity to consider options available to them once they leave school.
Brief outline of activities: Pupils will gather valuable information about their careers options and choices after they leave school. Stands available to visit include colleges, employers, training providers and apprenticeships.
Learning Objectives:
- To gather information about their careers options and choices available to them once they leave school
- To consider their choices when selecting GCSE courses in relation to different pathways
- To explore the type of jobs available in relation to the subject choices and the qualifications needed to embark on a choice of career
- To have a meaningful encounter with local employers.
Introduction to Pathways Post 16
Focus: To consider and explore the different routes available to pupils once they leave school.
Brief outline of activities: This is a classroom based workshop where pupils will consider the importance of their decision making and career planning, and how it affects the rest of their life.
Learning Objectives:
1.To understand the process of applying for their next step to college, employer or apprenticeship.
2.To understand the purpose of the reference from school and how they can affect their reference over the next year.
CV and Personal Statements
Each pupil will be given the opportunity during English and form time to complete their Personal Statement and a Curriculum Vitae. It is important that all pupils leave with a viable CV to aid their applications to college, apprenticeships and part-time jobs. A CV is a required for applications for prefect.
Wigan and Leigh College Taster Day
Focus: Students will gain an insight into college life
Brief outline of activities: Students will attend Wigan and Leigh College for the day and will participate in three lessons chosen by themselves and have the opportunity to explore the college.
Learning Objectives:
1.To gain an insight into college life and the courses available
2.To begin to make informed decisions about vocational courses and apprenticeship opportunities available to students when they leave school.
Leeds University Visit
Focus: Students will gain an insight into university life
Brief outline of activities: Students will attend Leeds University for the day and will visit two departments, library, halls of residence and the refectory.
Learning Objectives:
1.To attend a Russell Group University
2.To gain an insight into university life
3.To gain a greater understanding of the courses and facilities available at a Russell Group University.
St John Rigby Taster Day
Focus: Students will gain an insight into college life
Brief outline of activities: Students will attend St John Rigby College for the day and will participate in three lessons chosen by themselves and have the opportunity to explore the college.
Learning Objectives:
1. To gain an insight into college life
2. To begin to make informed decisions about courses and routes available to students when they leave school
3. To gain a greater understanding of college and university life and the courses available.
Work Place Challenge
Focus: Students will arrange to visit a work place
Brief outline of activities: Students will be issued with a Work Place Challenge booklet to complete. Students will contact a local employer and ask for a tour of the work place, find out what local opportunities (Apprenticeships/Full time jobs) are available in the work place and the skills and qualities that the employer would value.
Learning Objectives:
1.To have a meaningful experience of a workplace
2.To understand the context in which the students could one day be working
3.To have a meaningful encounter with a local employer.
Here are some examples of employers:
- Nurseries, Schools and Colleges.
- Shops, Stores and wholesalers.
- Police Stations and Prisons.
- Call Centres.
- Law and Accountancy offices.
- Banks and Insurance offices.
- Hospitals, Care Homes and Health Centres.
- Hairdressers and Beauty Salons.
- Hotels and Restaurants.
- Airports.
- Doctors and Dental Surgeries.
- Engineering sites.
- Sports Centres, Football Academies and Tennis Centres.
- Garages, Tyre Fitters and Car Sales.
- Construction trades - Joiner, Plasterer, Painter and Decorator.
- Farms, Sea-life, Guide Dog Association and Livery yards
Work Place Challenge Documents and Information
Workplace Challenge Testimonials and Witness Statements
Katie W 10A - Solicitors Co-op
‘In the afternoon I went to the law department where I looked at the kinds of things the co-op law department looked at and took part in activities that are given to trainee employers and people going for interviews at the co-op.’
‘I was so worried Katie would be overloaded by all the information I had to give her. She was very motivated and we need good people like her coming into the profession. I was really impressed with Katie’s participation and how well she did with the tasks given to her. People further along their lawyer carrier don’t do as well as Katie did today’.
-Samantha Wright (Solicitor at Co-op legal department)
Cameron R 10G - Taylor Wimpey
‘Taylor Wimpey offers paid apprenticeships across different areas of the business: site manager, carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing and many more. The apprenticeships involve both classroom learning and hands-on experience ensuring that you will be offered a permanent opportunity following the studies.’
Witness Statement
‘Cameron contacted me to arrange an appointment, so he could complete his work place challenge. We toured the show area and building site. He gained an understanding of the construction and sales process and work place opportunities.’
-Taylor Wimpey – Kath Belshaw (sales executive)
Adam J 10H - Sewtec Automation Ltd
‘I spoke to machinist called Glenn and he explained how they program the machine via the CNC interface to create the part. It looked very complicated but Glenn assured me that the process is straight forward and with a little training, I could machine my own part. Unfortunately, I did not get chance to do this but I am hoping that I can in the summer when I am allowed to go back for further work experience’
‘After spending some time in the assembly hall, I went to meet some of the mechanical designers. I met Paul who had worked at the company for over 25 years and started initially on a placement from university. He gained better understanding of engineering during his placement, he went back to university to finish his studies and to become qualified as a mechanical engineer.’
Witness Statement
‘We were delighted to understand that Adam wishes to continue his education at college before entering into an apprenticeship. To encourage this, we have offered Adam a further 1 week’s work experience over the summer holiday. He will work alongside on of our mechanical fitters as a fitter’s mate. This can be a very demanding role as our fitters are always under pressures and time constraints. We are confident that Adam can perform his tasks to the best of his abilities and trust that he has a willingness to learn.’
-Mark Atkins- Head of business Support
Matthew M-G 10L - Lloyds Bank
‘In order to be employed at the work place many skills and qualities are required. The employer values people with very good communication skills, analytical skills, high quality maths skills and someone who shows attention to detail. The qualities that are required of the employee include being polite and courteous, punctual and having an almost perfect attendance rate.’
Witness Statement
‘Matthew was very polite at all times during the visit. He asked lots of questions and was very interested in the whole bank environment. He spent time across a number of job roles and was keen to know more around the role of financial advice and how this helps to try and secure people’s future lives.’
-Lloyds Banking Group
Jessica J 10L - Pyroguard
‘The company account talked to me about the route he took to becoming an accountant. At college he took A-Level maths, business studies and geography. He then went to the University of Manchester and studied a maths degree. The three accountants in the financial department all took different routes. I plan on doing A-Level maths and becoming an accountants apprentice during university.’
Witness Statement
'Jess visited Pyroguard’s Haydock Head Office. We talked for over an hour about my role and what day to day work entails. Jess was enthusiastic and asked a series of insightful questions.’
-Gregory Yates (group accountant)
