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
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
- The Stockport Jobs Match Digital College Prospectus –
https://stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk/digital-college-sixth-form-prospectus-2023-24 - The Stockport Jobs Match Digital Apprenticeship Booklet –
https://stockport-jobsmatch.co.uk/national-apprenticeship-week-2023 - The Stockport Jobs Parents’ Guide to National Careers Week 2023 –
https://ncw2020.co.uk/booklets-guides/
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
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.
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.
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.
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CDL is the place for progression. Got what it takes? Get on board.
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.
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