Careers Information
Parent Information
Evidence shows that families play a key role in decision-making processes and helping guide their career path. Should you adopt a hands-on role? What is the best advice you can give your child? When do you need to get involved?
It is never too soon to think about your child's potential career, skills, and interests, and we encourage all parents/carers to start these discussions from as early as Year 7.
The most important thing we can do to support our child is to keep communicating and provide the tools to guide them in making their own choices. Below are some suggestions about how to support your child
How you can help your child:
- Regularly speak to your child about various careers that you encounter on a daily basis
- Highlight the positive skills that your child possesses
- Set a good example (socially, personally and professionally)
- Share positive attitudes, views and values
- Support your child to aim high regarding their education, career and life, whilst setting realistic goals.
- Provide opportunities to enable students to learn and develop.
- Be mindful of any unconscious bias based on our own beliefs and experiences of careers advice you may or may not have received at school, or our personal opinions of the 'right' education path.
Practical ideas to help your child:
All Year groups:
- Attend careers fairs - In preparation plan which stands to visit with your child and prepare relevant questions. Help instigate discussions with the exhibitors. This fair may also be online.
- Discuss the careers activities that take place at the school with your child
- Book an appointment with our Careers Advisor if you require specific information.
- Contact the National Careers Service if you would like specific advice https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us
- There is also Youth Employment with lots of advice and guidance for learners and parents Careers Advice for Parents - Youth Employment UK
- In all year groups, they will have access to and be introduced to the Unifrog careers platform online. This is a resource for learners, Parents/Carers Unifrog - The universal destinations platform.
Year 7
Each pupil will take part in a questionnaire through Compass+ to find out about what knowledge of careers they have, this will give a benchmark to see if there are any areas which needs more coverage when we deliver our lessons; this will make sure pupils have access to all information over their years in education.
Ensure your child logs into their Unifrog Careers account and start to explore information on education, jobs, industries and employers. There is access to lots of topics which will help your child to look at different career options.
Pupils to participate in our Somercotes Careers / Networking Event in May (See calendar for date).
Year 8
Each pupil will take part in a questionnaire through Compass+ to find out about what knowledge of careers they have, this will give a benchmark to see if there are any areas which needs more coverage when we deliver our lessons; this will make sure pupils have access to all information over their years in education.
Ensure your child logs into their Unifrog Careers account and start to explore information on education, jobs, industries and employers. There is access to lots of topics which will help your child to look at different career options.
Pupils to participate in our Somercotes Careers / Networking Event in May (See calendar for date).
The information is comprehensive and will inform your child of the practicalities in a chosen field.
Year 9
Each pupil will take part in a questionnaire through Compass+ to find out about what knowledge of careers they have, this will give a benchmark to see if there are any areas which needs more coverage when we deliver our lessons; this will make sure pupils have access to all information over their years in education.
Attend the Options Evening and if you need further information get in touch with your child's Heads of Department and Subject Leaders.
Pupils to participate in our Somercotes Careers / Networking Event in May (See calendar for date).
Ensure your child logs into their Unifrog Careers account and begins to research potential career pathways.
The Which University Guide explains how important GCSE choices are when it comes to university and gives helpful tips on 'how' and 'how not' to choose GCSE Option subjects.
Year 10
Each pupil will take part in a questionnaire through Compass+ to find out about what knowledge of careers they have, this will give a benchmark to see if there are any areas which needs more coverage when we deliver our lessons; this will make sure pupils have access to all information over their years in education.
Pupils to participate in our Somercotes Careers / Networking Event in May (See calendar for date).
Participate in our work experience activities or participate in the online 'Speakers for Schools' virtual work experience activities in Term 5 and 6.
Ensure your child logs into their Unifrog Careers account and continues to explore the Subject and Careers Library.
Year 11
Each pupil will take part in a questionnaire through Compass+ to find out about what knowledge of careers they have, this will give a benchmark to see if there are any areas which needs more coverage when we deliver our lessons; this will make sure pupils have access to all information over their years in education.
Pupils to participate in our Somercotes Careers / Networking Event in May (See calendar for date).
To simplify the options available to your child after GCSEs, The Department for Education has created this 2-minute animation, showcasing and explaining each choice.
Ensure your child logs into their Unifrog Careers account and explores their options. Apprenticeships have been transformed in recent years and typically consist of 80% on-the-job training, and 20% studying. Stricter rules have been put in place regarding what an apprenticeship can consist of and have helped to increase the status of apprenticeships. There are also T level which are a similar vocational path as Apprenticeships but 20% on the job training and 80% classroom theory. For more information see this video from the Department for Education What are T Levels - YouTube
In terms of career choice, we should:
- Guide, but not dictate, the decision-making process
- Support our child's decisions
- Give our children freedom and time to discover their skills
- Provide the motivation to develop and achieve
- Provide encouragement to pursue interests and ambitions
- Try to instil a responsible attitude and mature outlook
- Encourage an attitude of self-belief by being positive and never critical - as responsible adults, our words are likely to have the biggest effect on our children.
