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Embed confidence; fuel ambition.

Embed confidence; fuel ambition.

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The Curriculum

Intent

All students are entitled to a Focus on Your Future (FOYF) programme that will:

  • provide good quality independent careers advice to students which inspires them and motivates them to fulfil their potential;
  • provide personal advice and guidance which is in the best interests of, and meets the needs of, all students;
  • contribute to the raising of student achievement by encouraging students to develop high aspirations and consider a broad and ambitious range of careers;
  • provide opportunities to work in partnership with employers, training providers, local colleges and others;
  • provide opportunities to inspire students through real-life contact with the world of work;
  • develop enterprise and employability skills including skills for self-employment;
  • support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity;
  • encourage students to see career development as a life-long process;
  • develop students’ skills and knowledge of careers including career management skills and knowledge of the national and local labour market (LMI);
  • ensure students are aware of the full range of academic and technical routes available at each transition point so that students have the necessary knowledge to make successful transitions;
  • provide opportunities for meaningful encounters with employees, employers, further and higher education and experience of workplaces;
  • support social mobility by improving opportunities for all students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and disabilities and
  • be embedded into subjects across the curriculum, including our extended provision programme.

Our Commitment at KS3

  • To know who the Careers Development Coordinator is
  • To know where the #FOYF resource room is
  • To know where #FOYF resources may be found in the library
  • To have been introduced to a wide range of careers across the curriculum
  • To have opportunities to identify strengths, qualities and skills and set targets to improve them
  • To be aware that option choices may affect future career options
  • To have been introduced to Start.com as a means of researching careers options, building an individual digital passport, and labour market information
  • To have taken part in at least 2 careers activities beyond the normal timetable
  • To be encouraged to widen skills through enrichment activities

Our Commitment at KS4

  • To be aware of academic and generic skills required by employers and set related personal targets
  • To explore a wide range of career opportunities through Start.com, the curriculum and 1:1 guidance
  • To continue to add to an individual digital passport
  • To be aware of the range of Post-16 choices: sixth forms, FE colleges and apprenticeships and have secured a suitable destination
  • To have taken part in a work-related activity
  • To have had a 1:1 guidance interview with our Careers Development Coordinator
  • To be encouraged to widen skills through enrichment activities
  • To have undergone a mock interview with local business volunteers / employers and received feedback

Our Commitment at KS5

  • To be aware of academic and generic skills required by employers and set related personal targets
  • To explore a wide range of career opportunities through Start.com, the curriculum and through 1:1 guidance interviews
  • To be aware of the range of Post-18 choices: FE colleges, HE Institutions, apprenticeships and employment, and have secured a suitable destination for Post-18
  • To have completed a work experience placement
  • To be aware of the benefits of work experience, volunteering, internships and work shadowing
  • To have undertaken individual and / or group work relating to development of employability skills
  • To be aware of trends in local and national labour markets to identify where possible employment opportunities may exist

Our commitment to meeting the Baker Clause

What is the Baker Clause?

Introduced as an amendment to the Technical and Further Education Act 2017, the Baker Clause stipulates that schools must allow colleges and training providers access to every student in Years 8 to 13 to inform them about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships. https://amazingapprenticeships.com/app/uploads/2021/09/What-is-the-Baker-Clause.pdf

The government has also committed to lowering the age range of an existing duty on schools to provide independent careers guidance, requiring schools to offer this support from year 7. https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-to-toughen-up-baker-clause-and-extend-careers-requirement-to-year-7s/


Our commitment to meeting the Baker clause

Addressing the needs of each pupil is a fundamental intent of our FOYF approach. We aim to expose students to the full range of pathways regardless of whether it’s a statutory duty or not. All students deserve access to comprehensive, unbiased information about all post-school or college choices, so they can make the best decision for them. 


How we meet the Baker Clause

  • FOYF Fair: In October we hold a fair for students in Years 8 to 13. We have representatives from:
    • Higher Education – including the 5 Universities local to us
    • Further education – including Leeds City College, Yorkshire Beauty College, Askham Bryan Land College, Leeds Building College
    • The Apprenticeship Hub
    • Leeds City Council Employment & Skills Service
    • Street League
  • 1:1 guidance: all students receive at least two interviews from an independent L6 qualified advisor. The advice is matched to the needs of the child and includes the full range of pathways.
  • National Apprenticeship Week and National Careers Week: we engage with these national weeks to raise the profile of our FOYF programme each year. These include information for students on the full range of pathways.
  • Assemblies: all students have two FOYF assemblies each year. The assemblies are strategically planned to address aspiration and a range of pathways.
  • Resources on our intranet: teaching and support staff have access to a comprehensive resource base relating to the full range of pathways. They are regularly encouraged, via fortnightly staff briefings, to use these in the classroom
  • Guidance for parents: every in-school PC evening is attended by our Career Development Coordinator and has scrolling information to provide parents and carers with information about opportunities and different pathways.
  • Resources on our website: https://www.lawnswoodschool.co.uk/the-curriculum/lawnswood-links/ambition/useful-foyf-websites/ , which includes information on technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.
  • A series of events on our Drop-Down Day and additional days, subject to timetable: we are open to involvement of businesses, and higher & further education providers, and include these wherever possible within our offer. Within this, we aim to include meeting employees all levels of businesses, and we aim to share details of technical, vocational and academic routes into careers with all students.
  • Provider Access Policy: this sets out our commitment and gives details of who to contact to contribute to our programme.