At Denbigh School, we are committed to ensuring that students are well-prepared for their next steps when they leave school, be that into education or employment. Through careers-related activities and the curriculum, we aim to inform students about the range of opportunities available and provide personalised guidance to support their decision-making. Through our PHSE programme we raise students’ awareness of developing employability skills that will equip them for success in their chosen careers. The Gatsby benchmarks are embedded in our provision.
Our careers provision is well-developed and embedded in the curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities. It provides good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. Careers at Denbigh is differentiated to meet the needs of different age-groups, and opportunities and impartial advice is tailored for individual students, recognising equality and diversity considerations.
The school provides multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. All students participate in work experience and have opportunities to develop employer links. Students explore the full range of opportunities available to them for their next steps, including colleges, apprenticeships, universities and employment.
Should you have any questions regarding careers please email the following staff:
Mrs H. Brown- Careers leader (brownh@denbigh.net Tel: 01908 505030)
Mrs C Hamdan- Careers Coordinator (hamdanc@denbigh.net)
Delivery
How the career programme is delivered
The careers programme is delivered to all year groups, with different focuses according to the age of the student, during tutorial, through faculties, DBT and during school events. We employ an independent careers advisor who offers individual meetings and guidance, with a focus on Years 11 to 13. The careers advisor is also available during parent consultation evenings to book appointments with. Professionals from a wide variety of job roles are invited to meet students and provide information about their roles and businesses. Within the Tutorial programme, we develop students’ knowledge of career paths and skills in communicating with people. We use Unifrog for students to access job searching tools, as well as skills evaluation tools to record their career education journey.
Evaluation
How the career programme is evaluated?
The careers programme is evaluated during PSHE programme, after careers events, and through questionnaires. Feedback from students, employees and tutors is gathered after work experience. Individual meetings gather feedback, this is used when planning future speakers and events. The work is evaluated by the Leadership Team and the designated Careers Assurance Governor.
Careers Programmes
Year 7
Introduction to careers in DBT sessions which focus on understanding employability skills that students need to develop for the workplace. For example, what is your dream job, or a research task into careers of interest.
Students also take part in careers week activities linked to curriculum areas. They engage with presentations delivered by professionals working within relevant industries and explore how the subject lessons prepare them for the world of work. They discuss career pathways linked to different subject areas.
Students have a work experience day where they may go to work with their parents.
During the course of the year, students receive on-line presentations from employers in tutorial, when individuals talk about their job role, the daily experience of work, and their career path.
Year 7 students also come off timetable to participate in an annual ‘Enterprise Challenge’.
Students are introduced to Unifrog and begin to record their skills development, career-related activities and competencies.
Year 8
In DBT sessions, students start to evaluate future pathways and consider the differences between universities or apprenticeships as possible destinations.
Through taster sesssions, the Year 8 Curriculum Evening and conversations with subject teachers we guide students and parents about options choices. Our careers advisor attends the Year 8 Curriculum Evening to respond to queries from parents and students
Students also take part in careers week activities linked to curriculum areas. They engage with presentations delivered by professionals working within relevant industries and explore how the subject lessons prepare them for the world of work. They discuss career pathways linked to different subject areas.
Students use Unifrog to explore GCSE options subjects, the skills they develop through them, and their links with future careers. They reflect on decision-making in the tutorial as part of the options process.
Options lessons and information evenings help to guide students and parents to subjects that will suit their future needs. Tutorial sessions support this process.
During the course of the year, students receive on-line presentations from employers in tutorial, when individuals talk about their job role, the daily experience of work, and their career path.
Students who have opted for Computing or IT are invited to take part in Teen Tech during the Summer term.
Year 9
Students also take part in careers week activities linked to curriculum areas. They engage with presentations delivered by professionals working within relevant industries and explore how the subject lessons prepare them for the world of work. They discuss career pathways linked to different subject areas.
Students are introduced to work experience at the end of Year 9. They explore its benefits and are given guidance about how to approach an employer when looking for work experience.
During the course of the year, students receive on-line presentations from employers in tutorial, when individuals talk about their job role, the daily experience of work, and their career path.
Year 10
All Year 10 students carry out one week of work experience in the autumn term. They are supported in finding their own placements or on-line virtual work experience is provided by the school.
Students also take part in careers week activities linked to curriculum areas. They engage with presentations delivered by professionals working within the relevant industries and explore how the subject lessons prepare them for the world of work. They discuss career pathways linked to different subject areas.
During the course of the year, students receive on-line presentations from employers in tutorial, when individuals talk about their job role, the daily experience of work, and their career path.
External providers, such as ‘Amazing Apprenticeships’ and ‘Ask Apprenticehsips’ give presentations about what apprenticeships are and why they might offer a good career pathway for students.
At the end of Year 10, some students are identified as being likely to benefit from an early careers appointment and this is carried out before the end of the academic year with our independent careers advisor.
Year 11
All students are scheduled to take part in an interview with an independent careers advisor during the course of Year 11.
Students are introduced to a range of pathways including Sixth Form, FE college and apprenticeships. External providers are invited to attend assemblies and open evenings to meet students and parents. Our independent careers advisor attends open evenings to provide further information to parents and students.
Futures Day gives students the opportunity to experience taster lessons for post-16 courses at Denbigh. There are also sessions for those who intend to leave Denbigh, presentations from local colleges, an introduction to apprenticeships, CV writing and interview skills and visits from employers including the Army, Niftylift, etc.
Careers workshops are provided by external agencies such as Ask Apprenticeships and the Navy, to support targeted students in developing employability skills and preparing for recruitment processes.
Students also take part in careers week activities linked to curriculum areas. They engage with presentations delivered by professionals working within the relevant industries and explore how the subject lessons prepare them for the world of work. They discuss career pathways linked to different subject areas.
During the course of the year, students receive on-line presentations from employers in tutorial, when individuals talk about their job role, the daily experience of work, and their career path.
Drop-in sessions are also available for Year 11 parents to discuss future options for their children both in school, college, apprenticeships or work.
All Year 11 students take part in an interview, accompanied by their parents, with a senior member of staff to consider progress, future plans, appropriate courses and any concerns that students or parents may have.
Action Plans are written to ensure accurate records are kept and these are accessibly immediately to students via Unifrog.
Year 12
Drop-in sessions are held for sixth formers to discuss work experience, internships, volunteering, career options and apprenticeships etc. These can be run by the Careers Advisor or by representatives from local businesses e.g. Santander, Network Rail etc.
Students have the opportunity to sign up for Young Enterprise and EDT Engineering Scheme as enrichment options. They can also take part in the Bar Mock Trial Competition to give them an insight into the legal profession
Students also take part in careers week activities linked to curriculum areas. They engage with presentations delivered by professionals working within the relevant industries and explore how the subject lessons prepare them for the world of work. They discuss career pathways linked to different subject areas.
During the course of the year, students receive on-line presentations from employers in tutorial, when individuals talk about their job role, the daily experience of work, and their career path.
Tutorial sessions help students learn to use Unifrog more effectively to identify work experience placements, apprenticeships and for UCAS.
Students take part in a Post-18 Futures Day which introduces them to the university application process and how to apply for apprenticeships
Students are signposted towards a range of opportunities via careers fairs, Higher Education events, apprenticeships
All students are assigned to a mentor who discusses academic progress, progression routes and provides one-to-one support
Students can book an appointment to see the independent careers advisor.
It is expected that every Post-16 student across the country undertakes some form of work-place experience. To facilitate this, our work experience week takes place during the last week in June. All students are expected to find their own placement. Guidance and support is provided during tutorial sessions to enable students to do this. Denbigh Sixth Form supports students having part time employment provided that it does not interfere with school work, however this cannot be credited as work experience.
In order to facilitate this, the Sixth Form Team regularly send information about work experience opportunities. We also encourage students to use Speakers for Schools – an excellent service that offers virtual work experience opportunities and one that has proved very useful over the past couple of years.
Students have the opportunity to sign up for Young Enterprise and the EDT Engineering Scheme as enrichment options. They can also take part in the Bar Mock Competition to give them an insight into the legal profession
Students also take part in careers week activities linked to curriculum areas. They engage with presentations delivered by professionals working within the relevant industries and explore how the subject lessons prepare them for the world of work. They discuss career pathways linked to different subject areas.
Tutorial sessions help students learn to use Unifrog more effectively to identify work experience placements, apprenticeships and for UCAS.
Year 13
All students are assigned to a mentor with whom they meet regularly to discuss academic progress, future plans and provide one-to-one support. They work closely with students on personal statements for university, apprenticeships, or job applications.
Tutorial sessions help students navigate the process of applying for university or looking for apprenticeships or employment.
Selected students receive additional guidance for Oxbridge applications and support with interview techniques. Workshops are provided by ‘Ask Apprenticeships’ to support targeted students to prepare for the apprenticeship recruitment processes.
During the course of the year, students receive on-line presentations from employers in tutorial, when individuals talk about their job role, the daily experience of work, and their career path.
Students also take part in careers week activities linked to curriculum areas. They engage with presentations delivered by professionals working within the relevant industries and explore how the subject lessons prepare them for the world of work. They discuss career pathways linked to different subject areas.
Students are signposted towards a range of opportunities via careers fairs, Higher Education events, apprenticeship fairs.
Students can book an appointment to see the Independent careers advisor
Please find below the published Careers Guidance Procedure:
Unifrog
Unifrog is our primary database for both recording student activities and for researching opportunities. It provides students with a user-friendly tool to keep track of work experience, extra-curricular achievements, academic results and also to start considering their options beyond the Sixth Form.
Unifrog is well used tool and many students who join Denbigh School in our Sixth Form will already be familiar with it and have an account.
Labour Market Information Labour Market Information is about the current economic and employment situation. It includes data on destinations, average starting salary, current trends in employment sectors and recruitment patterns.
LMI means finding out the following things about different job roles or career pathways:
• What do people actually do in this job/industry?
• How many people work in this job/industry?
• How much do people get paid in this job/industry?
• What qualifications do I need to do this job?
• What skills or qualities do I need to do this job?
• What are the typical working hours for this job?
• What percentage of men/women work in this job/industry?
• Where can this job/industry take me in the future?
• Where are these jobs located around the country?
• How many of these jobs will there be in the future?
There is an abundance of LMI on the online Unifrog, and a variety of other sources given via the links below.
LMI for All
Click on the buttons below to find out what you can expect to earn carrying out different job roles.
