Careers Guidance
Eresby Special School aims for every student to leave us prepared for life in the modern world. With support and guidance through a comprehensive Careers Programme that is embedded across the curriculum, students develop the knowledge and skills they need to make progress along their personalised learning journey into adulthood, including planning for their further education, training and employment opportunities.
Aims:
Our Careers Programme is underpinned by the Gatsby Benchmarks, a framework that defines the best careers provision in schools and colleges. We aim to:
- Prepare pupils for the transition to life beyond school
- Support pupils in making informed decisions which are appropriate for them
- Provide pupils with well-rounded experiences
- Develop personal characteristics such as social skills, communication, independence and resilience
- Inspire and motivate pupils to develop themselves as individuals and live as independently as is possible
- Promote lifelong learning
- Involve parents or carers where appropriate
To fulfil the requirements for careers education, advice and guidance in schools, as set out by the Department for Education (Careers guidance and access for education and training providers: Statutory guidance for schools and guidance for further education colleges and sixth form colleges; January 2023), all students will have a personal careers guidance meeting with a qualified Careers Adviser by the age of 16, and a further meeting by the end of their study programme. In addition, to develop our student’s awareness of opportunities available to them beyond school, and demonstrate to them the relevance of their studies, we schedule meaningful encounters with further education providers and employers. Students will experience a minimum of six such encounters, taking place during school hours, between year eight and year thirteen in three key phases. Our Provider Access Policy sets out how we comply with the new legal requirements to provide these six encounters and explains how requests from providers will be managed.
As pathways into employment have changed significantly over the years, we provide regular opportunities to work in partnership with parents and carers to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge they need to expand their child’s aspirations and appreciation of the breadth of pathways and career opportunities beyond Eresby School. This parent’s guide provides an overview of the various options available for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Measuring the Impact
We will assess the impact of our Careers Programme on students by completing student and parents/carers surveys following key events, such as work experience, and our careers fayre. We will also take into account the views of local stakeholders, as we strive to increase employers understanding of disability, challenging any misconceptions and removing any existing barriers to training and employment. In addition, we analyse our student destination data beyond Eresby School.
Working in Partnership
We believe in the power of collaboration and community engagement to enhance the educational experience and future prospects of our students. By working in partnership with local businesses and leisure facilities, we aim to create a holistic learning environment that prepares our students for successful and fulfilling lives. Through collaborations with local businesses, our students gain practical life skills, industry knowledge, and valuable work experience that aligns with their abilities and interests. In addition, we recognise the importance of leisure opportunities for the overall well-being and social integration of our students.
We are currently working in partnership with a range of local businesses, including Tong Engineering, Countryside Arts, Sainsbury’s, Eresby Hall Care Home, Micronclean, Magna Vitae, Treehouse Children’s Centre and the National Trust at Gunby Hall. Our partnerships embrace diversity, promote inclusion, and celebrate the unique abilities and potential of every individual.
This guide outlines the benefits of supporting students with SEND, and the quotes below highlight the successes for some of the local businesses we are working in partnership with.
“It is great for our staff and customers to see the abilities the students have and what they are capable of. The students on work experience were great, and I have received very positive feedback about them.”
“We consider ourselves to be an inclusive team. The student developed excellent relationships with residents and staff, and we would be happy to have him as a volunteer in the future. We are pleased to work in partnership to develop community links and mutual support.”
Further details on working in partnership can be found in our Provider Access Policy below.
Useful links for staff, parents and learners:
Please find our Preparing for the Future guide below, which includes a brief overview of the most widely used local providers available for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. In addition, you may find the following websites useful.
The Skills Builder Partnership – A platform used to develop learner’s essential skills. These skills are referred to in school.
Start – Careers Information (startprofile.com) – A free platform used to track the essential skills, as well as offering excellent careers advice.
Start your career – Where to start - Lincolnshire County Council -Local information on possible pathways, including supported internships and volunteering opportunities.
Job support if you have special educational needs or a disability | National Careers Service – Information on the available support for finding and maintaining a job, including Access to Work.
Evidence Base | Greater Lincolnshire LEP – Up-to-date information on local market information.
lincs2.co.uk/resources – Useful information to support decisions relating to next steps.
My Learning My Future | CEC Resource Directory (careersandenterprise.co.uk) – Resources to show how specific subjects link to future careers.
Contact
Katy Dennis kdennis@eresbyspecialschool.co.uk
Careers Leader
Eresby Special School
Eresby Avenue
Spilsby
PE23 5HU
01509 320148
Careers Documents
