Careers Guidance
Careers guidance at St Martin’s School
“Good career guidance helps inspire students towards further study and enables them to make informed decisions whenever choices are open to them. It helps them to understand enough about the world of work to know what skills and qualifications they need to succeed. It is critical for social mobility because it helps open students’ eyes to careers they may not have considered.” Sir John Holman, senior advisor to the Gatsby foundation.
At St Martin’s we ensure all of our students have the opportunity to access a varied ‘Careers and Employability’ education. The careers provision is regularly reviewed to ensure we are meeting The Gatsby Benchmarks as laid out in the Government’s Careers strategy.
The eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance are:
1. A stable careers programme
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. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance
https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance
At St Martin’s School we run a diverse careers curriculum throughout the school, starting with all year groups signing up to START profile. START is an online careers platform, designed to connect 11-18 year olds with their future career potential. With hundreds of partners, including Vodaphone, Microsoft and the NHS, it combines the most comprehensive source of information with a personalised student experience and tracking system for teachers and parents.
Students are encouraged to produce an individual portfolio including a CV, personal statement & achievements.
There are varied opportunities throughout each school department within the school. Each area is dedicated to providing skills and information related to the subject area, and providing encounters with relevant employers.
Years 7 – 9
Pupils in year 7 - 9 are given the chance to develop their entrepreneurial skills during enterprise events which are run at various points during the school year. There are also frequent events including assemblies on GCSE and careers options in year 8 and 9. Pupils in Year 9 also receive advice regarding their GCSE choices, and the pathways attached to those.
Years 10-11
- Access to careers advice and guidance, including a 1:1 appointment with a professionally trained impartial careers advisor.
- Attend talks by professional speakers from a spectrum of professions.
- Participate in dedicated careers civics and tutor sessions.
- receive appropriate information and advice on applying to university, apprenticeships and preparing for the world of work at key points of key stage 4.
- Encounters with employers through the different subject departments.
Careers Policy including Provider Access Statement
Apprenticeship information
Apprenticeship information for parents
Further information for students and parents:
www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
Paths to Careers – A Parent’s Guide
Contact details:
Our Careers Lead, Alex Frappell runs and promotes our Careers Programme throughout the school. If you wish to be part of the programme, please contact:
Mrs Alex Frappell, Careers Lead
Telephone: 01277 238300
Email: afrappell@st-martins.essex.sch.uk
