HOME ABOUT COV19/HOME LEARN CURRICULUM INFORMATION STUDENT CALENDAR STATUTORY CONTACT US HomeCareers at Bedford CAREERS AT BEDFORD Our school’s careers leader is Mrs J Madden, Director of Learning, j.madden@bedford.wigan.sch.uk, 01942 909009. Staff Provider Access Meet the Professionals “Careers education is about inspiration and aspiration as much as advice.” The vision of our careers team is that students will leave our school with the drive and ambition to accomplish their chosen career pathway, and that they will become ambitious, successful, caring citizens equipped with the confidence and skills capable of making decisions in any given situation. Our Careers programme runs from Year 7 to Year 11 and prepares students well for life after they leave the school. It has been designed to align with the eight Gatsby Benchmarks which have been recognised by the government as outlining the requirements of an excellent careers programme. Students have many encounters with employers and learn about the different careers and the various routes into these careers. It helps students to find the careers that suit them and prepare them to follow their desired path. Students learn about the different work sectors and are taught to challenge the various stereotypes and discrimination that exists in the world of work. Students learn how to take responsibility for their own career by planning for the future. They learn how to create an effective CV and learn useful skills such as developing a professional and successful interview technique. The programme supports pupils through each of the transitions they face such as choosing Year 9 options and deciding what to do after Year 11. Students complete a week of work experience in Year 10. Our careers programme is designed to meet the needs of the students at Bedford High School. We are committed to: Providing a planned sequence of CEIAG activities. Providing a minimum of 4 employer engagement activities to all students in order to raise their aspirations and reduce their likelihood of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training) post-16. Providing IAG which is impartial, unbiased and is based on individual student needs. We do this through our service agreement with Aspiring Futures. Ensuring that the CEIAG and WRL programme follows national frameworks for good practice, evidenced against the Gatsby benchmarks. Demonstrating a commitment to continuously improving CEIAG standards by sustaining the Quality in Careers Standard (Previously Inspiring IAG). We endeavour to equip students with the skills, attitudes, knowledge and understanding needed, to manage their lifelong aspirations and transition to their next stage successfully. The Careers office is located in U Block and maintained by the Careers Adviser from Aspiring Futures careers advisor. Typical CEIAG activities include: CEIAG/WRL sessions (group work and individual interviews) during curriculum (PDE) and non-structured times Individual learning planning/portfolio activities – used by individuals during careers meetings CEIAG enrichment activities/ Virtual Careers events / Virtual FE & HE taster activities / Digital events Virtual Business lunches Speakers for Schools / Aspirational Workshops (currently online only due to current restrictions) Business in the Community (BITC) activities Partnership activities with Springboard Work experience placements All CEIAG events are evaluated to ensure a quality provision. This is done through participant evaluation, employer evaluation and parent voice activities. Following the GCSE results day and on into the Autumn term, the WRL Coordinator and the progression team from Aspiring Futures, offer further support to engage and retain students in post-16 education or training. The 8 Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of 8 guidelines that define the best careers provision in schools and colleges. 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 Gatsby Benchmarks The Gatsby Benchmarks are now fully integrated into the strategic plan for CEIAG. The most recent assessment, from July 2020 judges that we have currently met 6 of the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks to 100%. Post-16 Activity Survey 2019 Post-16 destinations are captured by Aspiring Futures and presented in the annual activity report, which is shared with schools in the spring term. This shows student engagement in post-16 college and training providers, apprenticeships and those who, at the time of the data capture, are NEET. Cohort number: 184 Participation 92.9% 184 FE 80.9% 131 Employment with apprenticeship/training 8.15% 15 Training without employment 1.63% 3 Employment without training 2.72% 5 Voluntary / Part-Time employment 0% 0 Unknown 0% 0 NEET 4.35% 8 Additional Support and Guidance Aspiring Futures Aspiring Futures is the employment and skills service for young people in Wigan borough. They provide careers information and advice for young people. Bedford High School currently have a service level agreement with Aspiring Futures to which provides our students with access to independent and impartial careers guidance that both inspires them and raises their aspirations. Aspiring futures also support our school with CEIAG events and work experience, helping us to deliver the objectives in the Careers Strategy (2018). In addition to scheduled 1:1 support for students, parents and students can also self-refer. To do this, parents and/or students should speak to Mrs Birchall, who will help facilitate this. Careers Websites http://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk The National Apprenticeship Service has the latest news, information and advice to help you find and apply for an apprenticeship vacancy. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk The National Careers Service is a free careers advice service for adults and young people aged 13 years and over. Access support by the website link above, telephone: 0800 100 900 or book a free call back through the website if you do not have access to a landline and you have a pay-as-you-go mobile. Play the game to discover jobs that match your personality, interests and skills. https://do-it.org The UK’s national volunteering database, Do-it.org makes it easy for anyone to volunteer in their community. https://bridgegm.co.uk/labour-market-information The Bridge provides unique insights and helpful figures, Labour Market Information. POPULAR RECENT FROG PARENT PORTAL March 13, 2020 TAKE OUR VIRTUAL SCHOOL TOUR HERE September 1, 2021 CORONAVIRUS – ACTION PLAN RECAP March 13, 2020 SENDING STUDENTS HOME IN THE SCHOOL DAY LETTER September 25, 2020 SEARCH CONTACT INFO Headteacher: Mr P McCaffery Address: Bedford High School, Manchester Road, Leigh, WN7 2LU Phone: 01942 909009 Email: enquiries@bedford.wigan.sch.uk TO CARE . TO LEARN . TO ACHIEVE Our students are inspired to achieve their potential through embracing our values; To Care, To Learn, To Achieve. Working in partnership we will ensure that every student leaves Bedford with a strong sense of community and ready to be the best that they can be. We have a modern outlook based on well-founded tradition and our motto ‘Bedford means Business’ reflects the ‘business-like’ environment we have developed and the unique opportunities we offer. We are very ambitious for our students and we challenge them to excel. DATA PROTECTION OFFICER CONTACT INFO The Data Protection Officer is responsible for overseeing data protection within the School so if you do have any questions in this regard, please do contact them on the information below: Data Protection Officer: Craig Stilwell Company: Judicium Consulting Ltd Address: 72 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 6AE Phone: 0203 326 9174 Email: dataservices@judicium.com Copyright © Bedford High School - Website Designed by North Star Digital (www.northstardigital.co.uk)