Careers

Careers Provision at Merit

 

Merit recognises its statutory duty to provide impartial and confidential careers education to all our students in Years 7 to 11 and to give students access to careers information, advice and guidance.

 

We aim to broaden horizons, raise aspirations and help students to make the most of a range of opportunities on offer during their time at Merit.

 

Working alongside a visiting Local Authority Careers Officer, we aim to help students to:

• Develop knowledge about the changing nature of the world of work and the jobs market
• Understand the range of Post-16 learning opportunities locally and nationally
• Recognise individual strengths and interests
• Develop their career management and employability skills

 

Students are entitled to:

• Access to qualified professionals and careers software
• Business mentors
• Guidance on interview techniques
• Targeted interventions to meet individual needs
• External visits to Further and Higher Education and Apprenticeship establishments to raise awareness and build confidence.

 

At Merit, the careers education programme begins in Key stage 3 and continues to the end of Year 11 when there is a high level of guidance to enable smooth transition to the students’ chosen Post 16 destination.

 

Key Stage 3 Provision

 

At Merit, the Key Stage 3 class is made up of children from Year 7, 8 and 9 and, in accordance with the Baker Clause, all children receive Careers Education and are provided with information about the non-academic routes that are open to them Post 16. 

 

Depending on when students join Merit, students will:

• Understand why leaving school with qualifications is important
• Know the differences between A Levels, BTECs and Apprenticeships
• Investigate possible career routes
• Be able to match skills and qualities with suitable occupations
• Know the local Post 16 opportunities available to them
• Understand how to create their own CV

 

Year 10 Provision

 

Students will:

• Have access to a work experience placement and, if appropriate, have first- hand experience of the world of work
• Engage in enrichment days, assemblies and workshops that specifically focus on employability skills such as interview techniques, creating CVs and meeting employers from a range of disciplines or businesses
• Visit a range of local Post-16 providers and Universities to inspire and motivate students to consider higher education
• Have an inital one to one meeting with a fully qualified Careers Advisor

 

Year 11 Provision

 

Students will:

• Meet with external providers at Parents’ Consultation days, allowing them to speak with a range of professionals and enabling them to make informed choices
• Have at least 2 intensive 1:1 meetings with a qualified Careers Advisor to consider various post 16 options available to them; more appointments will be put in place for students with medical or SEND needs
• Attend careers conventions wherever available
• Be informed of local college Open Evenings/Days and be supported by Merit staff where required
• Access bespoke assemblies/enrichment sessions and presentations with outside speakers

 

Our key aim is to ensure that careers education is impartial, promotes equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion and is differentiated to meet the specific needs of each individual student.  The guidance aims to provide current and relevant information to promote self-awareness, personal development and aims to provide our young people with the tools to make informed choices about their future. Students work with a fully qualified Careers Advisor during their time at Merit.

 

Who to Contact for information about careers:

 

 

Engaging parents/guardians in working with their children to explore careers planning:

Parents please use the ebook link : Parents Guide Ebook

 

Assessing and measuring the impact of our careers provision:

We use the GATSBY Benchmarking system to ensure that our careers provision steadily grows and improves year on year. We also aim to assess impact through regular evaluations such as questionnaires of student and parent voice. We work closely, every term, with the Local Authority (Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Careers and Enterprise Company). We currently review our careers provision every term.

Useful careers links

Resources for Employers

Resources for parents and teachers

Martec Training

 

Please have a look at this short video from Martec Training.

NSCG Update

 

Please find below a range of subject videos for you to view.

 

Newcastle

Apprenticeships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmKwnHZiplY

Access to HE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eok58gW-7Uo

Hairdressing & Beauty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-7T5LQprks  

Higher Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mLBm3oT8uM

Computing & IT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AheRNWBqK1c

Creative Arts & Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufj3qbCucCI

Early Years & Health and Social Care: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_HTWwWOrmY

HNC/D Performing Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG7d6mGHf38

Maths & English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTIRZRl3l7Q

Construction & Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVFQpfKaxSI

A Levels & A+ Programmes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0hjy4ImxvI

Business, Accounting & Travel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFIfgbKN4FI

Music & Performing Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5n8e4tHVEs

Sport & Exercise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPg_712Wkc4

Public Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1WNAk5Lxbs

Foundation Studies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0aKWabbg9M

 

Stafford:

Virtual Campus Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDOfr5AaTKQ

NEW BUILD! Skills & Innovation Centre Walkthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhzK8_VVlQI

Foundation Studies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1uP5OTzX3M

A Level & A+ Programmes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-jBLcr3ICQ

Sport & Public Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQDLcKqr3rc

Creative Arts, Film & Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBGsOYGSXMQ

Music & Performing Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0fHCo1KXTU

Health & Social Care and Early Years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpmd5z30xNk

Maths & English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rin-pjldU84

Hairdressing & Beauty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPRrgjjUWC0

Hospitality & Catering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZBeX4KPy80

Business, Computing, IT & Accounting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTGLEcid_x8

Access to HE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cCP5FiciZk

Higher Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amF0l-fBAVc

Engineering, Construction & Motor Vehicle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0-HOlxSoXQ

Apprenticeships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM7GxcDad_E

 

Apprentice Videos:

TT Pumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmS_m30WEhY

NHS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekAUsF4-KGs

NHS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekE6r6nlKNc

Littleton Arms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR8iL0fY1e8

Briggs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toizKMMjnWo

Amie Nicole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR1BnHg_kMQ

Caitlin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTFuliPpSFs

Promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YnkPuynKGs

 

Misc:

A Levels at Newcastle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQFF4UGDq0s

BTEC at Newcastle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yf_nUzDpzM

Apprenticeships at NSCG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILC4EnS3ock

Academy of Sport: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6nR1w_L6b0

Honours Programme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtfJ-wuujC0

A Level Results Day 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwjNda0ucrI

Welcome to Palmbourne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L66xaq3C_WY

BTEC at Stafford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMXnfnIvhJ0

Art Exhibition Stafford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_aak4ZWcso

A Levels Results Day at Stafford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlCTADQbKwk

 

Big Assembly  9^th  Feb 11.10am – Something for National Apprenticeship Week

During NAW we will be streaming a Panel Assembly with Q&A’s on Apprenticeships that can be watched live and on demand.

www.bigassembly.org

 

Vacancy Snapshot - This Webpage shows Students a selection of very well-known Companies and Familiar Brands that employ Apprentices.

Great to add the link to your School Careers Website, and great to share with Students to explore during tutor time or PSHE sessions for example.

https://amazingapprenticeships.com/vacancies/

 

Live Broadcasts – A selection of bite-size videos (each about 15 minutes long) Interviewing Apprentices from different sectors to talk about their experiences.

Great to add the link to your School Careers Website, and great to share with Students to explore during tutor time or PSHE sessions for example.

https://amazingapprenticeships.com/live-broadcasts/

 

Apprenticeship Champions – All Teachers and Careers Leaders can sign up to be an Apprentice Champion. This is free and gives access to extra resources and information.

You also get invited to Events where you can network and share ideas and information -  and meet with some of the country’s leading apprenticeship employers.

https://amazingapprenticeships.com/champions/