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ACE Programme

At Stockport School our ACE or Aspiring Careers Education programme provides students with opportunities to hear from and interview real life employers and employees from across Stockport and the North West.

Many local businesses, employers, employees and ex-students support us with workplace visits, talks in assemblies, practice interviews, classroom workshops and attendance at our annual Careers Convention.

If you would be interested in taking part in one of our ACE sessions or you can support us in any way, please contact our School Careers Leader, E Riley. Email here for further information.

Our Careers Programme

At Stockport School we believe our Careers Programme provides our students with a well-rounded education in careers, equipping them with the tools necessary to succeed in life beyond School, in further education or the workplace.  We aim to provide students with the knowledge and understanding needed to make positive choices about their future and we encourage a climate of aspiration.

At Stockport School we plan activities, experiences and learning opportunities for our students around the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks:

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

Year 7

Activity

Description

Gatsby Benchmark

Manchester Gateway Programme

Organised visits to Manchester University encouraging students from non-university families to have high aspirations. 

7

Careers education embedded within the wider curriculum

Teachers encourage students to consider a variety of careers by talking about their own experience, developing subject specific careers boards or inviting guest speakers into the classroom. Teachers seek out opportunities to promote STEM subjects, the Arts and Humanities through trips and activities in school.

3,4

Form time enrichment

3 week tutor led programme encouraging students to think about where their different subjects could take them. 

1,2,3,4

Half termly assemblies

Promotion of local labour market information, different career sectors and educational pathways including visiting speakers and Alumni to raise aspirations.

 

Year 8

 

 

Activity

Description

Gatsby Benchmark

ACE Programme workshops

Employer and employee encounters in a workshop environment focusing on different career sectors and opportunity for Q&A.

1, 2, 5

Visits to workplaces

Most recently these have included visits to local tech company CDL and construction sites.

6

Manchester Gateway Programme

Organised visits to Manchester University encouraging students from non-university families to have high aspirations.

7

Form time enrichment

4 week tutor lead programme exploring different working environments.

1, 6, 8

Subject specific activity

Opportunities are provided to support future study or career options through targeted visits or trips including dance, drama, music and arts, STEM subjects and humanities.

2,3,4,5,

Half termly assemblies

Promotion of local labour market information, different career sectors and educational pathways including visiting speakers and Alumni to raise aspirations.

 1,2,4,6

Year 9

 

 

Activity

Description

Gatsby Benchmark

ACE Programme workshops

Employer and employee encounters in a workshop environment focusing on different career sectors and opportunity for Q&A.

1, 2, 5

Half termly assemblies

Promotion of local labour market information, different career sectors and educational pathways including visiting speakers and Alumni to raise aspirations.

4, 5

Manchester Gateway Programme

Organised visits to Manchester University encouraging students from non-university families to have high aspirations.

7

Form time enrichment

4 week tutor lead programme exploring the decision making process involved in choosing a career path. 

2, 3, 4, 8

Visits to workplaces

Most recently these have included visits to local tech company CDL and construction sites.

2,3,5,7,8

Options Process

A comprehensive package aimed at helping students to make informed and positive decisions about their options choice.  This package includes:

·         An initial questionnaire encouraging students to think about what they are good at, what they enjoy and to reflect on the type of learner they are.

·         Series of assemblies with presenters from local colleges, apprenticeship providers and universities.

·         Subject presentations by Directors of Study linked to future careers.

·         Options Evening with the support of our Careers Adviser and local colleges.

1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

Alumni Programme

Meeting ex-students to raise aspirations, promote different study or career pathways or share expertise in specialist subjects.

3,7

Subject specific activity

Opportunities are provided to support future study or career options through targeted visits or trips including dance, drama, music and arts, STEM subjects and humanities.

 

 

 

 

2,3,4,5,7

Year 10

 

 

Activity

Description

Gatsby Benchmark

Work Experience

Students undertake one week of work experience in the summer term.

5, 6

Form time enrichment

4 week tutor lead programme advising students on how to be “work ready”.

1, 3

Careers Convention

Year 10 students, parents and carers are invited to attend our annual Careers Convention with a parent or carer.  We have a vast range of employers, colleges, apprenticeship providers and university representatives on hand to offer guidance and answer any questions.

2,3,5,7,8

Start of 1:1 Careers Guidance

Individual 30 minute interview with a qualified careers advisor, accompanied by detailed, tailored action plan.  Follow up interviews are also available.

3, 8

College Taster Days

Students are given the opportunity to attend an organised taster day at various colleges.

7

Careers Lessons

Each student will have 8 careers lesson throughout Year 10, focussing on:

·         Employability Skills

·         CVs and Personal Statements

·         Interview Skills

·         Apprenticeships

·         College Life

When possible visiting speakers will support the Careers curriculum.

1, 2, 7

Alumni Programme

Meeting ex-students to raise aspirations, promote different study or career pathways or share expertise in specialist subjects.

3,7

Financial Literacy

Opportunity for students to work with specialist employers to address financial matters which directly affect their future plans.

2

Subject specific activity

Opportunities are provided to support future study or career options through targeted visits or trips including dance, drama, music and arts and STEM

2,3,4,5,7

Half termly assemblies

Promotion of local labour market information, different career sectors and educational pathways including visiting speakers and Alumni to raise aspirations.

3,5,7

Yr10 Careers Day

Opportunity for students to hear directly from colleges and employers about different pathways and career options as well as complete an online application form in preparation for Practice Interviews in Yr11.

 

 

2,3,5

Year 11

 

 

Activity

Description

Gatsby Benchmark

Induction Programme

Upon returning to school in September, students take part in a 2 day Induction Programme consisting of assemblies and optional workshops, led by visiting speakers representing colleges, universities and training providers, introducing students to the range of post-16 options available to them

1, 3, 5, 7

Practice Interviews

Each Year 11 student will complete a formal application form including their skills, interests and future plans and then undertake a practice interview with an employer, college or apprenticeship provider matched to their preferences.

3, 5, 7, 8

Completion of 1:1 Careers Guidance

Individual 30 minute interview with a qualified careers advisor, accompanied by detailed, tailored action plan.  Follow up interviews are also available.

3, 8

Our Futures Tracking Process

Students complete online surveys so our staff can assess how far down the application process they are in order to offer support and guidance where needed.

1,3,4

Form time enrichment

4 week tutor lead programme focussing on college applications, application form and CV writing, support with personal statement.

1, 3, 8

Careers Convention

Year 11 students, parents and carers are invited to attend our annual Careers Convention with a parent or carer.  We have a vast range of employers, colleges, apprenticeship providers and university representatives on hand to offer guidance and answer any questions.

– Year 11s are also invited to attend our presentations from providers on the evening,

2,3,5,7,8

CV and Application Form Workshops and Drop-in sessions

Extra support provided to students struggling with the application process

8

Subject specific activity

Opportunities are provided to support future study or career options through targeted visits or trips including dance, drama, music and arts and STEM

2,3,4,5,7

Careers Lessons

 Each student will have 5 lessons focusing on the following topics:

– The transition from school to post-16 education

– Writing applications

– Building on interview skills

– Higher education

– Preparing for working life

 1,2,4,8

Half termly assemblies

Promotion of local labour market information, different career sectors and educational pathways including visiting speakers and Alumni to raise aspirations.

3,5,7

Teachers

At Stockport School we believe that all members of staff have an important role to play in being positive role models who can share their knowledge of the world of work and the skills that are valued. Throughout the curriculum, teachers are encouraged to make explicit the relevance of the skills and learning in each subject to potential career paths and this may involve guest speakers, Alumni visits, workshops or trips beyond the classroom to raise students’ aspirations. All form tutors will be supported in the delivery of Careers enrichment activities to their forms. We encourage all our staff to share their own study and career pathways and colleagues may be asked to talk to students about their previous job roles as part of the ACE programme.

Feedback

At Stockport School, our careers programme is constantly evolving to fit in line with the changing needs of our students.  We collect feedback regularly from students, staff and parents and use this to appropriately adapt our planning.

If you have any feedback, ideas or concerns you would like to share, please contact our School Careers Leader, E Riley via email here 

For further information about our feedback policy, please click here 

Use of GMACS & Xello

In September 2020, we launched the new website and online Careers platform GMACS.
The Greater Manchester Apprenticeship & Careers Service (GMACS) helps young people explore and design their next steps before leaving school.
 
The site is also the gateway to Xello, a service for schools which helps equip students with the knowledge, skills and information they need to get ahead in today’s labour market.
 
Xello and GMACS are now being integrated into all aspects of our Careers programme including our 1:1 Careers and advice interviews.
 
See link for article about Stockport Schools’s good practice November 2020.

https://cascaid.co.uk/client-spotlight/how-stockport-school-uses-xello-to-support-1-2-1-guidance/

In Feb 2021, just 5 months after its launch, Stockport School has made the Top Ten Schools for Xello usage – our new online careers platform. This is testament to our ongoing careers support for our students and evidence of our students’ engagement in planning for their future. Thanks for the support from @CASCAID

Michael.henshall-watson@stockport.gov.uk 
tel: 0161 4742300 ext. 2312

Michael Henshall Watson

Level 6 qualification in Careers Guidance

Level 6 qualification in Learning, Development and Support Services

Michael provides independent careers guidance for all KS4 students in a one to one interview, parents and carers are welcome to attend if they wish. Students can drop in at Grand Central to see Michael during school holidays 12.30pm to 4.30pm; no need for appointment. 
The Education and Careers Advice Service is located next to Subway and McDonalds on the A6. During term time appointments will need to be booked via the office tel 0161 4742300

Get connected.
Stay well.
Know your options.
Live your life.

GREATER MANCHESTER APPRENTICESHIP & CAREERS SERVICE

Inspire and engage every student in future planning

Xello is an engaging online program that prepares students for post-secondary success in academics, careers and life. With Xello, you’ll have everything you need to help your students build the skills and knowledge to create actionable plans for the future, regardless of their chosen pathway.

Xello Login Page

Sign up to the Young People’s hub to find out more about preparing for work in the 21st century.

Help your child explore their future career and education options at home by encouraging them touse Start – a fantastic online careers learning tool. Start is accessible anytime on computers andcompatible mobile and tablet devices, and is designed to enable young people to make excellentchoices about their futures.

U-Explore allows students to research a wide range of careers and find detailed information about them all. The site contains information about further and higher education, apprenticeships, work experience, voluntary work and choosing options.

This site contains interviews and videos about all the different post 16 options including apprenticeships, employment and university.

This site has a lot of information about the wide variety of apprenticeship available. 
You can research vacancies and apply online on this site.

The Apprenticeship Store offers guidance and assistance to anyone seeking an apprenticeship. Young people are able to search for job vacancies and are given support with their applications by staff it the store. The Apprenticeship Store is open Monday to Friday 10.00am until 4.30pm every week.
Stockport Apprenticeship Store, Unit 4-6 Grand Central, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3TA.

Stockport College offers a very wide variety of courses, many vocational courses at all levels and many A level.

Cheadle and Marple is a local college that offers mainly A levels but also some apprenticeship and BTEC courses.  There are two sites but most Stockport School attend the Marple campus.

Aquinas is a local Catholic college that offers an academic route to university.  It offers very few other kinds of courses.

Manchester College offers a very wide variety of courses, many vocational courses at all levels and many A level courses. 
If you cannot find what you want in Stockport it may well be available in Manchester.

This college has different campuses, the nearest being Wythenshawe. 
It offers a number of courses that the local colleges do not, for example rural environments, animal care and agricultural courses.

This college is in Nantwich, specialising in agricultural and horticultural courses.

UCAS is the organisation through which applications to university are made. 
They provide information and services to applicants and their parents/carers.

Impartial careers advice from careers guidance counsellors, online or by phone from 8.00am until 8.00 pm. The experts are there to answer your questions.

This site has lots of resources and information to help you find the career that you want; from CV advice to university courses and apprenticeship vacancies.

These pages contain information about work and careers and much of the information you will need as you progress through life as a young adult.

CV-Library is the UK’s leading independent job site. Candidates are able to apply directly to over 125,000 live vacancies from across the UK, covering over 70 different sectors.

This website provides up to date information about universities and apprenticeships of all levels, including school leaver programmes, in many sectors. They advertise existing opportunities and give good information about employers and universities.

Apply to Uni

Up to date and clear information about applying to university. For use by staff and young people.

Bconstructive

Find out about CITB apprenticeships, how CITB can help people to become an apprentice and what support is available throughout the apprenticeship. 

Big Ambition

Digital career information site, including case studies.

British Dental Association

News and information about Dentistry and associated professions. 

Careers in Sport

Information about careers in sport, including current vacancies.

The UK’s most widely used student and graduate job website

Careers at Kier

Make the journey.
Leave a legacy.

KIER Construction visit

market leading
big ambition
cutting edge
rapidly expanding

It’s this spirit that’s taken us from a living room start-up to a market leading company, employing hundreds of people. And we believe in it.

CDL is the place for progression. Got what it takes? Get on board.

Business in the Community – Business Class Partnership

Improve your chances of achieving your ambitions. how2become.com sell a wide variety of resources including information about jobs and practice assessments for selection into specific careers.

iCould.com is a website which is open to everyone which uses the power of personal stories to inform and inspire young people’s career choices.

BBC Bitesize is the BBC’s free online study support resource for school-age students in the United Kingdom. It is designed to aid students in both schoolwork and, for older students, exams. It also contains invaluable support for careers and options as well as a section on mental health and well being.

Uni Compare.com is to ensure all students have access to free information that can guide them when they apply to university; as we know that students are not always aware of what resources available when considering their futures. We help students with their application, personal statements, independent rankings, as well as advice on student finance, and what campus life is really like.

Clearing.co.uk 
The No. 1 Clearing app for Students
Welcome to the largest Clearing directory, so you can find the right degree course, at the right university when it matters most, and find the perfect place to study.