Career Pathways

Introduction

At Southway, we believe that it is paramount that our students feel valued, heard and supported. The majority of our students have struggled in mainstream schools for a number of reasons.

Many lack self-esteem, confidence, belief and, to some extent, appropriate social skills. Nevertheless, at Southway we work with the students in ways that are specifically adapted to meet individual student needs. We regularly use smaller group sizes, 1-to-1 sessions and differentiated timetables to suit the student and what we feel are their requirements.

When they arrive with us, it soon becomes apparent to them that we are committed to providing them with a wealth of opportunities that are tailored to them.

This personalisation of support is why we consider it critical that the correct Post-16 destination is identified, pursued and confirmed for each student. It could be an option to refer our students to next-phase mainstream settings, and for those that are referred, most thrive. However, we know that it wouldn’t be the best fit for some of our students for some, or all, of the aforementioned reasons.

This means that, as a team, we search and search for the correct setting and study programme in their desired career pathway, in order to ensure that they can succeed. It is crucial that we work hard to find the best-fit Post-16 options for our students, because, having worked hard to foster courage and self-belief during their time at Southway, we recognise that confidence can still be fragile and starting a course that is not a good fit for the individual, may lead to disillusionment and potentially early-termination. We endeavour to avoid this outcome at all costs.

A diverse and stimulating curriculum ensures that, over time, belief, self-esteem and confidence return to students and the building blocks for a successful future are cemented. This ensures that, in almost all cases, a desired pathway is achievable for each and every student. The support and guidance on offer are instilled from the moment that they arrive, until the day that they leave, with a final goal to secure a pathway that is right for them as an individual.

First and foremost, we have a robust and efficient careers plan that is both effective and relevant to our students.

Our main aim each academic year is to avoid having any NEET students, and, although this is sometimes unavoidable, due to refusal to engage or breakdown in contact and/or communication, our staff go above and beyond to ensure that each student has the opportunity to succeed, whatever they want to achieve in life.

“Build healthy relationships and give hope”

Marc Gunjal is the CIEAG Coordinator at Southway. He can be contacted as follows:

Telephone: 0113 4843030

Mobile: 07300 847538

Email: mgunjal@southway.org.uk

Implementing the Gatsby Benchmarks

(1) A stable careers programme
This is shown in our Careers plan.
(2) Learning from careers and labour market information
Careers lead regularly researches college, apprenticeship, work and market information. Works closely with mainstream schools that have students allocated with Southway to ensure that adequate and sufficient support is given to each student and that a destination is cemented.
(3) Addressing the needs of each student
Each student need is met in a variety of meetings with Careers lead, key worker and visits to relevant venues.
(4) Linking curriculum learning to careers
All our students have a curriculum that is tailored and accessible for them.
(5) Encounters with employers and employees
Visits to potential destination venues are carried out, this includes showing the student around potential venues and meeting with relevant staff.
(6) Experiences of workplaces
Due to our ever-growing diverse curriculum, our students have the opportunity to access a variety of different workplace environments. This can also be implemented using work experience placements.
(7) Encounters with further and higher education
Students can access these establishments at our very own careers fair. They are also encouraged to visit college/further education open events where they can further investigate. Visits and meetings can also be setup with these venues, and staff from our school often attend if requested to show support and guidance.
(8) Personal guidance
Each student meets with the careers lead and their key/MAT worker on a regular basis to discuss their aspirations, wishes, applications, interviews and enrolments.

Annual Calendar of Events

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 7

Introduction to courses and careers research through PSHE curriculum.

West Leeds activity centre focusing on learning life skills/resilience /how to overcome challenges/teamwork/colleagues

Spotlight on careers of significant people – family members/ celebrities etc.

West Leeds activity centre focusing on learning life skills/resilience /how to overcome challenges/teamwork/colleagues

Create a portfolio of interests.

West Leeds activity centre focusing on learning life skills/resilience/how to overcome challenges/teamwork/colleagues

Year 8

Overview of college courses, apprenticeships and employment opportunities presented through PSHE curriculum.

West Leeds activity centre focusing on learning life skills/resilience /how to overcome challenges/teamwork/colleagues

Focus on pathways i.e. vocational/academic/ combination and potential job roles from each.

West Leeds activity centre focusing on learning life skills/resilience /how to overcome challenges/teamwork/colleagues

Explore examples of staff career paths/histories to give context. Research parent/carer/sibling job roles and paths.

West Leeds activity centre focusing on learning life skills/resilience/how to overcome challenges/teamwork/colleagues

Year 9

Introduction to options subjects. Presentation by subject leads including potential jobs roles linked to each subject. Highlight where vocational and core subjects complement each other.

The Shed – Focusing on Woodwork and joinery skills/Project management.

*SOUTHWAY CAREERS FAIR*

Vocational subject taster sessions/‘mini-course’. Further explore interests, skills areas for development.

The Shed – Focusing on Woodwork and joinery skills/Project management.

Job role prospects integrated into core and vocational curriculum. Visiting speakers from colleges/ apprenticeships/employment.

The Shed – Focusing on Woodwork and joinery skills/Project management.

Year 10

Job role reference and skills embedded in vocational subjects supported by core. Visits to colleges/apprenticeships/ employment providers.

Provide select students with multi-skills course at Leeds college of building.

Provide students with the opportunity to achieve numerous vocational qualifications at The Hunslet Club.

List;

Art, Barbering, Bike Mechanics, Car mechanics, Catering, Childcare, Construction, Digital functional skills, DJ’ing, E-Sports, Hair and beauty, Health and social care, Joinery, Public services, Sport.

The Shed – Focusing on Woodwork and joinery skills/Project management.

*SOUTHWAY CAREERS FAIR*

Collaborate with Focus training to offer work experience offered in local businesses.

Provide select students with multi-skills course at Leeds college of building.

Provide students with the opportunity to achieve numerous vocational qualifications at The Hunslet Club.

List;

The Shed – Focusing on Woodwork and joinery skills/Project management.

Advertise and encourage student/parent/carer attendance to college open events.

Collaborate with Focus training to offer work experience offered in local businesses.

Provide select students with multi-skills course at Leeds college of building.

Provide students with the opportunity to achieve numerous vocational qualifications at The Hunslet Club.

List;

The Shed – Focusing on Woodwork and joinery skills/Project management.

Reflection on experiences. Reassess aspirations and aims. Students create personal progress portfolio including: record of experience gained, qualifications required and potential applications. Integrate Duke of Edinburgh achievements.

Year 11

Personal ‘next steps’ meetings between student, careers lead, MAT worker, parents/carers and referral school’s representatives.

Review personal portfolio and begin visits and applications.

Re-visit colleges/ apprenticeships/employer locations.

Provide select students with multi-skills course at Leeds college of building.

Provide students with the opportunity to achieve numerous vocational qualifications at The Hunslet Club.

List;

Advertise and encourage student/parent/carer attendance to college open events.

*SOUTHWAY CAREERS FAIR*

Preparation for moving on delivered through PSHE and individual follow-up meetings: Support application, visit and interview procedures.

Discuss expectations, concerns and contacts for advice and support moving forward.

Provide select students with multi-skills course at Leeds college of building.

Provide students with the opportunity to achieve numerous vocational qualifications at The Hunslet Club.

List;

Continue to advertise and encourage student/parent/carer attendance to college open events.

Arrange re-visits, taster days, enrolments and complete smooth transition to chosen destination.