Careers
All young people are required to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday. This does not have to mean staying in school, students can choose to study or train in any of the following ways:
- Stay on full-time in a school, college or with a training provider (many young people also do a part time job alongside this).
- Work or volunteer full-time, together with part-time education or training.
- Take up an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Curriculum
Careers, employability and enterprise are discussed with every pupil at Houstone School, to ensure that individuals are able to select the most appropriate path. Our programme is mapped out to be age appropriate with every key stage preparing students to make decisions about their future. For example, option choice subjects prior to Key Stage 4 and then introducing post 16 courses throughout year 11.
We are always aspirational in order for our students to aim high, so that they have the potential to go to University should they wish.
“Independent careers guidance must be provided in schools in England to all year 8 — 13 pupils (12 — 18 year olds).
- It must be provided in an impartial manner — no bias or favouritism towards a particular education or work option
- It should explore the range of education or training options — including apprenticeships and other vocational pathways
- Advice should promote the students’ best interests” (UCAS 2017)
The resources available to students at Houstone School are;
- Visits to National and local events such as: Big Bang Fair; MK Apprenticeship Show: Northampton Skills Show
- Workplace & University visits
- Assemblies led by local employers, former students and career experts
- Career insight talks
- Employer visits to lessons
- Support with employability skills
- Mock interviews
- Regular live local apprenticeship opportunities
- Impartial information on Post 14 and 16 course choices
- Virtual work experience in year 10
Our careers programme is monitored regularly through the use of the Compass careers benchmarks tool. This tool enables us to identify gaps in provision and ensure that we quickly rectify any issues so that we can be confident about the programme that we offer our pupils. We also take feedback from pupils and parents after events and initiatives to ensure our provision is of a high quality.
Labour Market Information
The South East Midlands Labour Market Information (LMI)