Careers
In line with Government requirements our Careers offering at EWS is varied in its approach and tailored to suit the needs of each Year group. We aim to fulfil all criteria of the Gatsby Benchmarks. You can find more information about these by clicking here: Gatsby Benchmarks
What will learners learn in each year?
Year 7 – Challenging Stereotypes. This unit of work challenges the stereotypes which abound about job suitability for different genders and opens the learner’s mind to wider possibilities and opportunities in the world of work. Learners begin to understand how enterprises are organised with job specialisation, pay scales and different job titles.
Year 8 – Future Choices. Learners develop a fuller understanding of enterprise organisation and ownership. They are introduced to Labour Market information and focus on how their future choices, within secondary education and beyond, may impact their chosen career path. Students are introduced to sectors of employment, qualifications, skills and how subjects in GCSE years tie into jobs and careers.
Year 9 – Job Roles and Skills Required. Year 9 learners investigate how general life skills, those gained through education settings and skills they already possess transfer into employability. Videos of real employees in real jobs are used to discuss with learners how skills have been developed and adapted where necessary within certain career paths. A greater emphasis is placed on the qualifications needed for the workplace.
Year 10 – Labour Market Information & Work Experience. Students have an in depth look at current Labour Market Information to guide their understanding of the local job market and the sectors to look at for their specific ideas around employment. Year 10 also brings them the opportunity to attend a full week of work experience with follow up discussion in order for them to evaluate what they have experienced and draw conclusions to help them continue along the right pathway for them.
Year 11 – Post 16, Alternatives and Beyond. This module helps students gain a full understanding of what is available to them at Post 16, Higher Education or Approved Training as well as giving them information to take beyond their statutory education. Year 11 students have priority access to our Altogether Careers Advisor with a focused 1:1 appointment slot to discuss their options and give advice should they already have a clear chosen pathway.
Post 16 - Post 18 options and pathways. Students gain an understanding of the wide range of opportunities available to them Post 18. Working with local and national employers, universities and apprenticeship providers students have the opportunity to prepare for the future ahead, in addition to alternative options such as taking a gap year. Applications to Post 18 providers are made and supported through an integrated PSHE, tutor time and assembly programme.
In addition to the above tailored Careers Programme each student will have access to guidance from each subject department as they discuss how the knowledge and skills gained transfer into employability skills as well as them highlighting career paths within that subject area.
Students will also have encounters with employers and employees through our work experience programme and invited guests running assemblies and engagement events. Personal guidance is provided by our Independent Careers Advisor and tutors when delivering the Careers Programme.
Advice and guidance for young people:
This leaflet provides information on the opportunities, progression and benefits of doing an apprenticeship with case studies from real apprentices.
- Apprenticeship Champions This network consists of over 1000 people working in education and training across England who promote the apprenticeship brand. You can locate your nearest Champion by visiting their website.
- UCAS Whilst most student associate UCAS with applying to university, UCAS also have a dedicated section to further education, including apprenticeships and traineeships. They provide a breakdown of types of apprenticeships, entry requirements and how to apply. They also include opportunities beyond intermediate apprenticeships for learners wishing to pursue a higher or degree level apprenticeship.
- GOV.UK “Become an apprentice” This page provides information on how to apply for apprenticeships using GOV.UK’s service, what to do in the event that you are unsuccessful for the apprenticeship and conditions of pay.
- Not going to uni is now one of the UK's leading websites dedicated to helping school and college leavers make informed decisions about their future by showing the opportunities that exist outside of traditional university, such as apprenticeships, sponsored degrees, diplomas, gap years, distance learning and jobs.
- GetMyFirstJob provide information and apprenticeship vacancies across a variety of sectors providing opportunities to connect employers with potential apprentices. In addition, they also provide information about traineeships for those who may not yet be ready for an apprenticeship.
- Unifrog brings all the available information into one single, impartial, user-friendly platform that helps students to make the best choices, and submit the strongest applications.
Other Careers pages
National Apprenticeship Week 2023
The annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships will be taking place from 6th February 2023. Minister Halfon has written to students and parents about the opportunities and benefits apprenticeships can bring to young people and encouraging them to consider apprenticeships when they are thinking about career choices.
