Intent

At Caedmon, we recognise the vital role that effective careers education plays in equipping our pupils with the knowledge, skills, and aspirations they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Our intent is to foster a culture of career awareness from an early age, ensuring that all children appreciate the variety of opportunities available to them, particularly in the context of the North East Labour Market.

We aim to:

• Develop Aspirations: Encourage pupils to cultivate ambitions and understand the diverse pathways available to them, including routes into apprenticeships and self-employment.
• Promote Skills: Equip pupils with essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience, which are vital in any career.
• Raise Awareness: Provide insights into different careers and industries, especially those in demand within the North East, helping pupils to envision their futures in a broad context.
• Educate Parents: Inform parents about the North East Labour Market, supporting them in guiding their children towards viable career opportunities.

We believe that a strong foundation in careers education enhances pupils' personal, social, and emotional development, paving the way for informed choices in secondary education and beyond.

Implementation

Our career education programme is structured to align with the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring a comprehensive approach that meets the needs of our pupils and the local community. Key aspects of our implementation include:

• Curriculum Integration: Career education is woven throughout our curriculum. Subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science are linked to real-world applications and vocational outcomes, demonstrating the relevance of learning in future careers.
• Experiential Learning: We provide hands-on experiences through visits to local businesses, guest speakers from various professions, and opportunities for students to participate in enterprise activities. This experiential approach helps pupils understand the day-to-day realities of different careers in the North East.
• Career Days and Workshops: We host career events where pupils can interact with professionals from diverse fields, including information about apprenticeships and the benefits of self-employment.
• Parental Engagement: We involve parents in the career education process, ensuring that families understand how to support their children’s aspirations at home.
• Partnerships with Local Businesses and Organisations: We maintain strong connections with local businesses and community organisations to create pathways for pupils to explore a wide range of opportunities, including internships and mentorship.
• Links to Further and Higher Education: We actively promote local secondary schools, colleges, and universities, informing pupils about routes to further and higher education that will aid them in achieving their career ambitions.
• Diversity and Inclusion: We ensure that our careers education reflects the diverse society we live in, showcasing a wide range of role models. We actively work to challenge stereotypes, promoting diverse career paths for all pupils regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background.

Impact

The effectiveness of our careers education programme is measured through multiple avenues:

• Pupil Feedback and Engagement: Regular surveys and focus groups are conducted to assess pupil engagement and interest in various careers, ensuring that their voice shapes our programme.
• Skills Development: Assessments and observations reflect a recognisable increase in essential skills such as independence, collaboration, and communication amongst pupils. Teachers note that pupils are increasingly confident in expressing their aspirations and articulating their interests.
• Transition Outcomes: Our pupils experience successful transitions to secondary school, with many reporting a clearer understanding of their future pathways. We track the progression of our students into secondary education and beyond, ensuring that they are making informed choices based on their career aspirations.
• Community and Stakeholder Feedback: We regularly engage with businesses, parents, and local educational authorities to gather feedback on our programme’s effectiveness. Positive testimonies and ongoing partnerships indicate a strong community endorsement of our career education efforts.
• Ofsted Performance Indicators: By aligning our careers guidance with Ofsted's framework and the Gatsby Benchmarks, we have consistently achieved high ratings, reflecting our commitment to the holistic development of our pupils. Our careers programme enriches the educational experience and broadens horizons for all children.

In summary, at Caedmon, our careers education programme is designed to not only inform but inspire our pupils, preparing them to navigate their futures with confidence and ambition, grounded in the opportunities available within the North East.