Careers

Libra School is dedicated to providing careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) that enables our KS3 and KS4 children to not only gain an insight into the world of work beyond Libra, but to be equipped for their next stages in life.

In order for KS3 and 4 children to gain confidence and have an understanding of what awaits them after year 11, our careers provision is at the heart of all that we do. We encompass strong work ethic, morals, values, and a drive for achievement throughout all of our teaching and support, therefore pinning the key foundations for a successful career throughout the child’s education. Likewise, careers and the world of work is threaded throughout our curriculum; this in turn helps the children to understand that the skills they are learning today is a fundamental part of building their future.

But what is a ‘career’? Careers guidance is also about helping the children to understand what a career means to them; nowadays, a career is not defined by climbing a ladder to achieve a higher status and higher wages. Whatever path they choose to pursue, it should be rewarding for them. For example, a Veterinary Nurse does not have to continue studying to become a Vet – their role as a Nurse may be satisfying and allow them to be happy and succeed as they are. Likewise, working in a supermarket may seem mundane to some, but to another it’s a way of earning money whilst building their career elsewhere, such as an Artist.

We want our children to be safe in the knowledge that there is no failing when it comes to a career path – life takes us in different directions, this is only natural. Understanding that they may change their mind partway through studying, or they may start a job and find out that it isn’t suited to them after all, is all a part of learning and working their way towards a career that they better understand and appreciate.

The Gatsby Good Career Guidance Benchmarks have been adopted as part of the Government’s careers strategy. We strive to meet all 8 of these benchmarks throughout an academic year:

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

At Libra we work in partnership with FutureSmart Careers to support our Year 9’s, 10s and 11s as they start to consider their future opportunities post Libra.  FutureSmart Careers will be providing :

• A 40-minute group workshop for Year 9, 10 pupils and Year 11 pupils annually to introduce them to the different Post-16 options and carryout a self-reflection activity to help them consider what they would like to aim for in the future and thus do after Year 11 (e.g. college or an apprenticeship). The Libra School is keen to promote positivity around career opportunities and promote achievable aspirations.
• The workshop to be followed by 45-minute one-to-one career guidance meetings for Year 9 and 10 annually to help them identify what next step thye need tot ake to achieve their aspiration in Year 12.  During each careers meeting, the pupil will complete a careers quiz to help them identify career options/occupations/pathways that may suit and be of interest to them**.** The focus of the one-to-one guidance meetings will be driven by the pupils. It is anticipated that the meetings are likely to include information about different jobs, pathways into different professions, further education provision, alternative work-based routes, apprenticeships, the range of options and qualifications available at 16 and beyond, work experience, progressing into independence and independent living options. During one-to-one guidance meetings, the adviser will also use the ‘Image-based Action Plan’ as a starting point to explore topics with the pupil. Feedback from these meetings will be provided to the school and used to support appropriate EHCP amendments and discussions with post 16 education options.

Year 11’s also enjoy a visit from Careers Southwest an organisation funded through local authorities for a 1:1 meeting.

Libra will continue to build on this foundation through:

• Employee forum discussions half termly with Years 9, 10 and 11 children from visiting guests.
• Tutor discussions
• PSHE from Year 5 upwards and the ASDAN qualifications KeySteps and Exploring Aspirations
• EHCP review discussions with the child particularly those in years 9 and 10 due to the early completion of EHCP reviews in Year 11.
• Supported visits to local colleges in conjunction with parental visits to open days.
• Planned transition  / experience days throughout Year 11to the destination college.