Career’s Education, Information and Guidance

At Sherwood Park School we pride ourselves on a personalised approach to education and our Community and Careers education is no different. Our Community and Careers Education is centred upon the interests and aspirations of our young people. Through our programme we aim to improve the possibility and probability of paid work, raise the level of work related skills to improve independence and enrich life experiences and emotional wellbeing.

We are working in partnership with outside agencies as part of the South London Partnership to develop our Community and Careers programme. Our South London Partnership has a clear vision to change the energy, focus and accessibility of the careers world to provide all young people with the support they need to develop their early careers effectively. They have vast experience with supporting young people with special educational needs.

Article 12: Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously.              

Article 29: Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full.

Careers Programme Leads:

Park Campus: Simon Gale, 020 8773 9930, Careers@sherwoodpark.org.uk

Hill Campus: Alison Collins, 020 8669 7832, Careers@sherwoodpark.org.uk

Careers Provision at Sherwood Park:

Our school has an embedded careers programme that aims to inform and encourage pupils to consider what employment looks like for them, and take steps to understand their choices and pathways. We provide statutory independent careers guidance to pupils from year 7 onwards.

Our programme has been developed to meet the expectations outlined in the

Gatsby Benchmarks:

1. A stable careers programme with a careers leader
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experience of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

Our programme doesn’t show bias towards any particular career path, and promotes a full range of appropriate technical and academic options for pupils.

It is structured in a way that builds upon previous years, and the overarching aim is divided between the Key Stages so that pupils are encouraged to think appropriately about their future. We provide aims, objectives and activities for each year group.

Our careers programme is delivered through a number of methods and all pupils have access to the following:

• EQUALS Pre-Formal, Informal, Semi-Formal or Formal curriculum - Careers and preparing for life after Sherwood Park is a fundamental aspect of all of our curricula.
• The opportunity to take part in thematic days focussed on Employment and Careers.
• The opportunity to take part in National Careers Week; exploring different jobs through external visits to places of work and visitors to the school from different employment fields, identifying their own interests, CV writing, interview preparation and mock interviews resulting in internal job opportunities within school.
• Visitors into school and off site visits; supporting pupils to develop their understanding of a range of different post 19 pathways.
• All pupils from Year 7 have access to advice and guidance from our linked Enterprise Advisor through The South London Careers Hub that works in partnership with our school and Careers Lead.
• All pupils from Year 9 complete a Vocational Profile; expressing their likes and interests and identifying the support they require to access the world of work.
• All pupils from Year 10 have access to work experience opportunities both in school and in the community
• Pupils have access to relevant higher education transition events hosted at local Post 19 provisions

The overall organisation of external work experience is undertaken by the school Careers Leader at either campus who liaises with the Upper School team to ensure the most relevant and engaging opportunities are taken. Families are informed and communicated with throughout the process and a work experience agreement form and work experience information form are completed. All pupils on placement are covered by the employers’ insurance and places of work are risk assessed by the Careers Leader in liaison with The South London Careers Hub work experience database.

See our Full Community and Careers Programme, via our policy here: Careers Education and Guidance Policy

Measuring Impact & Assessing Success:

1. Accreditation and Qualifications
2. Formative and summative assessment
3. Pupil Destinations Data
4. Alumni Events
5. College Links: Progress reports
6. Work experience: Log books
7. Vocational Profiles

Sharing Success:

1. Specialist Assemblies and Achievement & Accreditation Evening
2. Displays throughout school - National Careers Week, Where are they now?
3. Highlighting successes in the school Newsletter

SEND Local Offer:

The SEND Local Offer is a place to find information and support for families with children and young people with learning needs and disabilities.

It covers all ages - from birth to 25 years old - and also has information and support for providers. You can find information about the support and opportunities available locally, including education, health and social care.

Links to Sutton Local Offer:

https://suttoninformationhub.org.uk/pages/preparing-for-adulthood-for-young-people-with-send

https://suttoninformationhub.org.uk/results?category=13501857-cdb6-4e8c-a5c3-98c74ba7ed0f