As part of their education at the White Hills Park Trust students are entitled to a programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance to help them make decisions that will support them in developing a successful career. View the attachments below to discover what those entitlements are:
How do we measure and assess our Careers Programme?
External Review | In 2012, 2015 and 2017 the school’s excellent work in providing a first class careers education to all students was recognised through successful accreditation for the Career Mark, Quality in Careers Standard.
Evaluating activities | We evaluate the success of each activity by asking our students and participants for feedback.
Compass and Tracker | We use these online tools provided by the Careers and Enterprise Company.
Gatsby Benchmarks
The Gatsby Benchmarks make up the Governments new careers strategy for schools and colleges and are the result of considerable research and analysis. High quality careers guidance is an absolute necessity for young people to enable them to make informed decisions about their future, and schools are required to use the eight benchmarks below as a framework for improving careers provision.
The eight Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance
1. A stable careers programme 2. Learning from career and labour market information 3. Addressing the needs of each pupil 4. Linking curriculum learning to careers 5. Encounters with employers and employees 6. Experiences of workplaces 7. Encounters with further and higher education 8. Personal guidance
Aims of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) at Bramcote College
The main purpose of CEIAG is to provide students with the opportunity to engage in a range of activities that will contribute to their knowledge and understanding of the world of work and the qualification pathways suitable for their individual needs. At Bramcote College we want to empower our students to plan and manage their own futures.
We aim to ensure that all our students:
are supported to make effective choices about their future study and career options
are provided with experiences which inspire and motivate them to achieve highly
are prepared for the transition process to life beyond secondary school (further and higher education and the world of work)
develop self-knowledge and confidence in making decisions and career choices which are suitable and ambitious for them
develop an understanding of the world of work and how to respond to changes in today's workplace
develop research skills to seek out and utilise information, advice and guidance
develop characteristics which support high achieving students in the curriculum and in careers such as: social skills, communication, resourcefulness, innovation and resilience
Contact Us
Our Careers Leader is Vicky Barnett. If you have any queries about careers, higher education, accessing careers advice or work experience please contact her on 01159 168900 ext 341 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
An apprenticeship is a job with training and the chance to gain qualifications. As with any job, an apprentice gets paid, but they also take part in formal on-the-job training and study for relevant qualifications linked to their role. Qualifications are paid for by the employer. Apprentices do not pay anything towards their qualifications.
Higher – level 4-7 – equivalent to a certificate of higher education or foundation degree right the way up to a master’s degree (mostly give a bachelor’s degree).
Degree – level 6-7 – guarantees a bachelor’s or master’s degree on successful completion.
Apprenticeship Verses University?
Apprenticeships are vocational and all of them offer a large degree of work experience. Learning is linked directly to the kind of work that the apprentice is doing in their job, although study will often cover the theoretical background in the abstract.
If your child undertakes a higher or degree apprenticeship, they will very likely work towards a degree of some kind. This means that they will come out with the same qualifications as a graduate. The beauty is, the student is not liable for the cost of study. Any university (or other) tuition fees are paid for by the employer. That means no student debt.
The apprenticeship wage – the absolute minimum an apprentice can earn – is currently (22-21) £4.15 an hour. However, that is only for 16-18 year olds and 19 year olds with less than one year’s experience of an apprenticeship. If you are 19+ and in year 2+ of your apprenticeship, the minimum you are entitled to rises sharply.
We already work with some fantastic employers, but are keen to open our doors to more local businesses and areas of industry. Research has prooved that encounters with new people can lead a young person to change an important element of their own thinking about themselves and their own sense of agency. To be effective, employer engagement must be authentic, real world, frequent, valued, contextualized and personalized in order to enhance young people’s understanding of jobs and careers.
This is why we are keen to build our portfolio of employers and would love to hear from you if you would like to take part in any future events, or host a visit to your place of work.
Ways you can support us are:
Being part of our Mock Interview pannelists for Year 10 Mock Interview Day in July
Representing one of our GCSE option subjects at our year 9 'Meet the Professionals' event in January
Hosting a stall at our Year 11, 12 and 13 careers fair in October
Being part of our 'What's My Job?' line up for Year 8's in April
Sponsoring a department and being their link to industry
Let us know about job opportunities
Mentoring young people or offering CV coaching
If you would like further information, or would like to get involved in one of the events listed above, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Every child at Bramcote College will have a dedicated PSHE and Citizenship lesson once a week. As part of this programme of learning they will study half a term of careers education every year from 7 – 11.
To be able to identify different types of SMART Targets and goals To understand the usefulness of action planning To be able to plan and take action to move forward
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Finding Careers Information
To know where to look for careers information To be able to select suitable sources of careers information that are fit for purpose
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Career Management
To be able to identify different types of goals To understand the usefulness of target setting to help achieve goals To be able to plan and take action to move forward
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Character Traits and Skills
To be able to describe your personal qualities and dispositions To feel positive about yourselves To understand what skills are and to recognise those that you possess
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Personal Skills & Qualities
Students will be able to identify their personal and social skills. Students will understand how these link to their career dreams and aspirations. Students will understand the employability skills employers are looking for
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Careers and your Future
To understand the meaning of the word career To be aware of how careers education can help you plan for the future Recognise the limitations of making career choices based on ‘dream’ ideas To be aware of what considerations are involved in making realistic choices
Health & Wellbeing
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Transition Point in Your life
Describe how people’s feelings change during stages of transition Describe your feelings during times you have experienced transitions Identify ways of coping with transition points and how you would apply them to future times of change in your life
Relationships
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Year 8
Year 8 Careers Lesson Topics
Learning Objectives
PSHE Associaltion Core Themes
Gatsby Benchmark
Careers Interests and Jobs
To help me think carefully about potential careers and focus on my interests and preferences To be aware that understanding myself and my interests will help shape my choices about KS4 Options and future career ideas
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Labour Market Information
To be aware of what labour market information (LMI) is and how it can be useful to you To be able to start using LMI to get a realistic picture of the labour market which I will use to help me make decisions about future careers
Living in the wider World
2. Labour Market Information
Exploring Careers
To identify the 10 main UK Job sectors To explore a wide variety of jobs To evaluate the different qualifications, starting salaries and duties of a wide range of jobs
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Making Decisions
What is needed for effective decision making? Understand a decision-making model Recognise who can help you with information and advice
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Options and Pathways
Students understand the range of subjects which are available for KS4 Options Students are aware of the subjects they currently have an aptitude for and like Students are able to describe the benefits of the subjects on offer
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Qualification and PAthways
To understand the value and advantages of gaining qualifications To be aware of the learning and progression pathways available
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Skills and Qualities Revisited
To help me know myself better To explore the employability qualities and transferable skills employers look for from school leavers To understand that awareness of my personal qualities and skills will shape my choices and help me make decisions about KS4 Options
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Year 9
Year 9 Careers Lesson Topics
Learning Objectives
PSHE Associaltion Core Themes
Gatsby Benchmark
Understanding Work Place
To understand what is meant by work To be aware of why people work To be able to explain what workplace values are and which are most important to you
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Jobs and Occupations
To recognise the difference in terminology between jobs and occupations To understand the three different industries in the UK and how they link to different occupations To understand the importance of transferable skills
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Standard Occupation Classifications
To explore the wide variety of jobs within one workplace To gain an awareness of the Standard Occupational Classification system understand how SOC will assist with your personal careers research by providing information about the future labour market
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Business Structures
To gain a basic knowledge of UK business structure and organisation To be able to identify the three main business structures and summarise their advantages and disadvantages To be able to create a simple business organisational chart
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Work Hierarchy and Structure
To gain a basic knowledge of UK business structures To be able to identify the two main organisational structures and summarise their advantages and disadvantages To be able to create a simple business organisational chart
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Equality + Stereotypes in the Workplace
To understand the meaning of the terms equality, diversity and stereotyping To be aware of my attitudes and how they impact on others To explore the inequalities that exist that impact the workplace
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
What is Enterprise?
To understand the meaning of the terms ‘enterprise’ and ‘employability skills’ To be aware of the importance of enterprise skills and employability characteristics To evaluate whether governments should step in to prevent big businesses from failing
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Year 10
Year 10 Careers Lesson Topics
Learning Objectives
PSHE Associaltion Core Themes
Gatsby Benchmark
Employment & Financial Management
To define terms such as financial capability and financial competence. To understand the importance of budgeting throughout a person life To know how to calculate your personal income tax liability
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Importance of saving money
To define a variety of banking and financial key terms To understand the importance of saving money and the different methods of storing it To be able to identify the difference between essential and non- essential expenditure
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Consumer Protection & Rights
To understand what ethical business practices are -To understand the rights and responsibilities of consumers -To evaluate the impact the Consumer Rights Act 2015 has had on society
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Employment Rights
To identify a variety of employment rights and responsibilities in the UK To understand different issues related to employee rights To explore the gender pay gap in society
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Understanding a Payslip
To understand what the common features of a payslip are To be able to work out using calculations Gross Pay and Net Pay on a payslip To evaluate the importance of paying tax and NI contributions
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
What are Enterprise Skills
Be able to effectively work as part of a team and research the issues and come up with solutions Apply this understanding by redesigning an area of ______ School Evaluate what makes an effective and persuasive presentation. Have Fun!!!
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Targeted Advertising - Online
To describe the three main types of targeted advertisements and explain how they work To explore the role of the advertising standards agency (ASA) To evaluate the role targeted advertising played in the outcome of the 2016 Brexit referendum
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Year 11
Year 11 Careers Lesson Topics
Learning Objectives
PSHE Associaltion Core Themes
Gatsby Benchmark
Post 16 Options
To be aware of a range of options available after Year 11 To be able to explore and know where to research the best progression pathway To start to decide what post 16 route you might like to take
Living in the wider World
7. Encounters with Further and Higher Education
Planning For the Future
To define my own skills, qualities an interests To be able to make plans and decisions about post 16 education To evaluate what support I need and be able to set Targets and goals to achieve
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Personal Branding
To understand what personal branding is To understand why and how to build a personal brand To understand my core key values that drive me and define me
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Making Applications
To understand the application process To identify the skills needed for a successful application process To understand the different component parts of an application form
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Interview Preparation
To understand how to prepare for an interview To understand the do’s and don’ts during an interview To practice a mock interview
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Writing a Personal Statement
To understand what a personal statement is To explore when a personal statement may be needed To be confident in writing a personal statement that reflects your abilities and ambitions
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
CV Writing
To understand the purpose of a CV To understand how to create a clear and concise CV
Living in the wider World
4. Linking Curriculum Learning To Careers
Labour Market Information
Careerometer can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations, help you learn about different occupations and identify potential careers.
It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation. Simply type in the title of the job you are interested in and the widget provides a series of options from which you can select the most relevant to you. You can then look up another two occupations and compare. You can also select ‘display the UK average’ and compare the information with the occupation you have selected.
Events
Autumn Term
All students to study careers in their PSHE and Citizenship curriculum time.
Year 11 students to have individual advice and guidance sessions with our qualified careers advisors.
Year 11 College applications open.
KS4 and 5 Careers Fair
Spring Term
Year 11 Bramcote College 6th Form Interviews and Mock Interview practice
KS4 World of Work Day
Medical Mavericks
Girls into STEAM
Employable Me
Options Experts - Meet the Professionals year 9 event
Summer Term
Creative Industries Careers Day
Access All Areas: Alton Towers
Boys into Health Care
Inspiring Futures
Newsletter Articles about Career Events
Catch up on any Newsletter articles you may have missed:
We work with many different employers, FE and HE institutions and are always happy to welcome visitors to share their experience and knowledge with our students. Here is what outside agencies have to say about working at Bramcote:
"Friendly staff and students are polite and well behaved." "Year 10 and Year 9 students were really confident, engaged and interested in our apprenticeship offerings." "Love that the students have lots of questions!" "Great to meet so many pupils, not only from year 11, but younger year groups too. Good to speak with them about their potential future options."
Important Links and Websites
National Careers Service
nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk – This is the Government’s hub for careers advice for people of all ages where you can find help with drafting letters, CVs, exploring your skills or seeking careers advice.
www.apprenticeships.org.uk – the National Apprenticeship Service website provides general advice and information about apprenticeships. Also advertises current vacancies.
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/ – an excellent overview of apprenticeships, including vacancies, resources and advice on achieving your goals.
Other websites
https://kudos.cascaid.co.uk/#/ – discover new ideas, understand which careers best suit you and uncover how what they are learning in school links to future opportunities and their career destination
https://successatschool.org/ – gives clear and comprehensive information about a range of Career Zones (sectors), in an easy to access format. Students can create a profile to help to collate useful information. ’60 second interviews’ giving profile of professionals, provide a useful insight into specific careers.
http://www.how2become.com/ – offers detailed advice on how to access a range of sectors. Also offers the purchase of resources, compiled in conjunction with professionals working in these fields, designed to enable you to achieve your dream career or course.
www.plotr.co.uk – investigate careers, watch videos and get great advice, find out about employers and work experience opportunities in your area.
www.fasttomato.com – an interactive careers website to help with ‘careers matching’ programme to help with career choice (log in for a free guest pass).
www.careersbox.co.uk – video based job profile information and skills explorer tool.
www.icould.com – aims to help you to make the most of your potential by showing how others have used theirs, take the ‘Buzz’ personality profile quiz.
www.careersworld.co.uk – general & regional careers resource includes apprenticeship vacancies.
www.ucas.com – information about university courses on offer, also the Stamford test to help with ideas about subjects to study.
www.therussellgroup.ac.uk – represents 24 leading universities, source of careers information & advice including ‘informed choices’ a downloadable guide to making post 16 choices.
www.prospects.ac.uk – find out which areas you could access after a particular degree.
mycareerspringboard.org – Springboard is for students. It is divided into two main sections: the Career Test and the Career Exploration Tool. In tandem, these two interactive tools allow students to find some career inspiration and gain an insight into their different career options.
http://www.jobapplications.co.uk – this site has useful videos, demonstrating how to complete the online applications for many top companies in the UK, as well as providing detailed information on salaries and interviews. Applications forms can be printed off directly from this site.
Careers Advice
WHP believes that all students should receive the individual support they need to prepare themselves for their next steps into further learning, training or work. With today’s young people entering a complex and competitive job market, this has never been more important. We’re proud to have our own Level 7 qualified Careers Advisor who offers one-to-one advice and guidance sessions with all KS4 and KS5 students.
It is a statutory duty (Education Act 2011) that all schools must provide impartial, external, careers advice and guidance for their students and Ofsted looks for evidence of this during its inspections. Through working having our own qualified advisor the Trust is meeting its statutory duty.
Advice and guidance is provided on a face-to-face basis in a confidential setting. In addition those students identified as having additional needs and are likely to experience barriers to securing work, training or further learning after they leave school at 18 form part of an additional needs cohort who receive more intensive support. Following a careers meeting, students will receive a personalised Career Development Plan outlining the issues discussed and action points from our advisor. Our advisor will also be involved in parents’ consultation evenings, options evenings, results days, careers fairs, employability events and assemblies.
KS3 Entitlement
