The school's Careers Education and Advice Team provides guidance and support to students throughout their time at Stratford School and even supports students after they have left.

The main purpose of any school is to prepare its students for life afterwards. This is something that Stratford upon Avon School takes extremely seriously and is evidenced not only by our  Careers Advice and Guidance programme but also by our links with former students.

Careers Statement

CEIAG is integral to the ethos of the school: ‘Engage, Enthuse, Inspire’, and extends beyond the offices of the Careers Manager and into the whole experience of students in the school. From year 8 to Y13, students will have access to information around options, careers, employability skills and the world of work. This policy ensures that ALL students receive this information, in a timely and relevant fashion and this is then backed by access to independent input through a programme of targeted intervention or drop-in services. 

What students can expect from us

An embedded careers development education programme that provides access to current, accurate and impartial Information, Advice and guidance for all students to enable them to make informed decisions about their options and progression choices, which will:

• be presented in an impartial manner;
• include information on the full range of post-16 and Post 18 education or training options, including Apprenticeships;
• promote the best interests of the pupils to whom it is given

We will:

• promote inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity.
• offer additional targeted support for vulnerable students, including Pupil Premium and SEND
• offer opportunities to develop enterprise and employability skills fit for the global economies of the 21^st Century.

Stratford Upon Avon School`s Careers Service includes;

• individual advice and guidance on choosing GCSEs, A Levels, Degrees and Apprenticeships
• individual advice and guidance on career options, skills and qualifications
• career Action Plans
• CV check appointments
• mock Interviews and Interview Preparation Advice
• support with sourcing and applying for work experience placements

Careers and Higher Education Resources include:

• a dedicated careers department with a full-time Careers Leader who is supported by a Careers Mentor
• a well-stocked and up-to-date Careers Library with a range of information sources
• books, posters, HE and FE prospectuses, monthly careers bulletin
• handbooks i.e. Oxford and Cambridge Handbook, Not Going to University.

Partnerships

We work in partnership with:

• former students who return to school to enthuse and inspire
• local industry and business leaders who are involved in aspirational and employability days, curriculum projects, work experience shadowing and placements
• institutions of Further and Higher Education
• parents and other carers to exchange information, enrich the Careers Education and Guidance programme by contributing to careers education, and, where appropriate, helping to evaluate the provision.

Careers Education Activities

Careers Education is provided to students in Year 8 -13. The School organises and hosts a range of Inspire careers talks given by alumnae, employers and universities. Students receive regular updates of opportunities relating to taster courses, insight days, work experience placements, part time employment vacancies, workshop opportunities and residential courses. Students are encouraged to be involved in a wide range of super-curricular activities to develop their understanding of their chosen subject beyond the A-Level / GCSE curriculum. Students are encouraged to complete wider reading around their subject and to engage with online courses such as Moocs/ Future Learn.

External employer speakers

Throughout the academic year, we organise at least four guest speakers from a range of industries to give a motivational talk about career pathways and career options. We also welcome former students to give talks to inspire our current students. The careers talks will be open to students in Years 7 – 13, as well as students from local schools.

Recent School Leavers

We invite former students to share their experiences of higher education, gap year and apprenticeship opportunities, as well as their experiences of their career journeys to date. The talks can be delivered during lessons, and lunchtime talks.

Linking careers with curriculum

The Careers Leader will work with subject leaders with the aim of facilitating one careers talk for each department. The talk will take place during a lesson to be delivered as part of the curriculum. 

Labour Market Information (LMI)

Labour Market Information is a tool to help research future jobs, skills and employment trends. LMI can include information such as the type of jobs and industries which exist in a certain area, and can help to plan a career and make informed decisions.