Careers

The basis of the Careers information and guidance offered at Balshaw’s is the Gatsby framework (see our Careers Policy for more information). We work in partnership with the local Young Chamber of Commerce to offer a rich and varied 'Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance' (CEIAG). Working with Balshaw's the Young Chamber of Commerce assist with organising the annual Careers Event, Apprentice workshops, industrial visits and the Mock Interview program in which every Year 11 is offered an interview from the world of work.

In every school year CEIAG is part of the PSHE Curriculum as this is a really important element in preparing Students for life after Balshaw's.

Measurement and Assessment of The Careers Programme

The key measure for the career (CEIAG) advice given at Balshaw’s is the destination data published by the DfE. The data below, published in January 2020, is for students who completed KS4 in 2017, the most recent data available.

It can be seen below that the vast majority of students, 97%, who left in 2017 are involved in some form of education, training or employment. In 2017 the national figure for students staying in education or gaining employment was 94% so that means Balshaw’s outperformed the national figure by 3%. The fact that so many Balshaw’s students have stayed in education or gained employment is an excellent indication of the success of the CEIAG program. Having said that, we hope that the developments we have made over the past few years will push the overall figure even closer to 100%, our ultimate goal.

 

Students staying in education or employment

School

Lancashire LEA

England state-funded schools

Students staying in education or employment for at least 2 terms after KS4>

97%

94%

94%

Total number of students included in destination measures

185

12076

528139

Students staying in education for at least 2 terms after KS4

85%

83%

87%

Further education college or other further education provider

83%

47%

37%

Sixth form college

0%

19%

11%

Students staying in apprenticeships for at least 6 months after KS4

9%

7%

4%

Students staying in employment for at least 2 terms after KS4

3%

5%

5%

 

Careers Fair

A Careers Fair was held on Thursday 10th October 2019.

We were delighted and grateful that so many companies and services came along to talk to our students and their families. Here are the companies and services who came along on the evening:

 

Provider Access Statement

You can find our Provider Access Statement within the Careers Policy on our School Policies page

Summary of Careers Advice and Guidance covered in School

Year 7 and 8

In Year 7 and 8 students are given information, guidance and careers choices within their PSHE work. They also have the opportunity to attend year group sessions offered by local companies such as BAE who recently delivered a session that including drone and jet technology and how it was used within their organisation.

Year 9

In Year 9 students are given information, guidance and careers choices within their PSHE work. Each Tutor group has an individual careers talk with Mrs Seedall who is experienced in careers information, advice and guidance. During these talks options are fully discussed. Year 9 also have a careers and options assembly which provides them with relevant information on 'Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) to enable them to make informed choices about their own career path and GCSE choices.

All Year 9 students also have a 1:1 careers interview with their Tutor, Head of House or member of SLT to discuss their options. Parents can attend these if they wish.

Relevant information for Parents/Carers:

  • Investigating GCSE options and careers thoughts
  • Options evenings for Parents
  • Parents’ evenings
  • GCSE option form deadline

Year 10

In Year 10 students cover CEIAG via their weekly PSHE lessons to investigate relevant career paths. In the Summer term they participate in a ‘Moving on Day’ where they are off timetable and are given careers talks by outside speakers and a presentation by Mrs Seedall on personal statements, CVs, apprenticeships and college placements. Year 10 students also are given relevant information in the Summer term to allow them to start the process of decision making for their life after Balshaw’s. This is followed up with a sample day at our biggest feeder college Runshaw College. In 2019 it is hope that every student in Year 10 will take part in the 'World of Work Day'. The day will include all students visiting a place of work, for example Leyland Trucks and the local NHS Trust. The morning session will be followed up with an afternoon session working with the British Army in school, again this will be organised by the 'Young Chamber of Commerce'.

Relevant information for Parents/Carers:

  • CVs
  • Personal statements
  • Activities weeks
  • College visits
  • ‘Moving on Day’
  • Employer visits
  • College sampling day
  • Parents’ evenings
  • Careers Event

Year 11

Year 11 students spend PSHE lessons in their first term preparing for work, applying for apprenticeships, completing college applications and looking at financial capability. Students will also be invited to attend visits at local employees such as the one or procurement at BAE.

During the second half of autumn term and spring term, students receive regular assemblies on - how to revise, guidance on exams in English, Maths and Science in preparation for their mock examinations in December and the final examinations in May and June. The students will also be offered a tailored mock interview that has resulted from them applying for a mock career opportunity.

All Tutor groups also have careers advice and guidance sessions with Mrs Seedall who you may contact via the school on 01772 421009 or email r.seedall@balshaws.org.uk

Relevant information for Parents/Carers:

  • Apprenticeship pack for parents can be found here
  • Careers evenings
  • College applications
  • College interviews
  • College open evenings
  • Mock interviews (first term)
  • Mock GCSE exams
  • Mock GCSE results day
  • Motivation sessions
  • Parents’ evenings
  • Revision assemblies
  • Revision technique sessions
  • Science career days – e.g. medicine/dentistry/veterinary science
  • The Armed Forces assembly

Links to local Colleges & Training Providers

Don’t forget that College Open Events are one of the best ways to get up to date and accurate information on specific courses and entry requirements which can change year on year. The links below are useful for finding this information:

Colleges:

Apprenticeships: 

Local Apprenticeship Employers:

Parents Portal