Heckmondwike Grammar School

Careers Home Page

Welcome to the Heckmondwike Grammar School Careers Advice web site. We have put together lots of information to help you make a successful transition from school to your next destination.

CAREERS SERVICES AT HECKMONDWIKE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Outlined below are the key features of our services to students:

CAREERS SERVICES

At HGS we have a full time qualified Careers and Higher Education Co-ordinator, who has whole school responsibility for all matters relating to Careers Education and Guidance. The main focus of her work is to provide information, advice and guidance on careers and higher education. The Careers Co-ordinator is supported by a Personal Adviser from Calderdale and Kirklees Careers Service, who visits school regularly and two Careers Assistants/Administrators who deal with work experience and work shadowing placements.

Sharon Scanlon Head of Careers & Work Related Learning	Lynne Morton Work Placement Co-Ordinator	Vicky Henderson Work Experience Careers Administrator	Kathryn Dudding Careers Advisor Calderdale & Kirklees

CAREERS INFORMATION

We have two dedicated Careers Resource Areas.

The upper school Resource Area – for the use of year 11, 12 and 13 students is open on a full-time basis.

Students have access to ICT facilities the latest careers software and an extensive range of literature.

Staff are always available to assist students with making the best use of ICT and Careers Information and Resources.

Additionally on a smaller scale, there is also a Lower School Resource Area – for the use of students in years 7- 10 open full time in the main school library. All information materials have been carefully researched and are appropriate to the age and ability of HGS Students. Students are able to borrow resources on a short loan basis.

CAREERS WEBSITE

There is a well constructed careers information website specifically tailored to meet the needs of our students. The website can be accessed both in school and from home and provides valuable information and useful links for students and their parents.

ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

All year 11 students are invited to at least one individual careers guidance interview, with Kathryn Dudding the Careers Adviser from C+K Careers with follow up as required.

Students in years 7-10 may arrange an appointment by self request or tutor referral. Year 10 students needing extra support are referred to the Personal Adviser.

6th form students self refer to the sixth form Careers Adviser. There is also a system of tutor referral.
Students can make an appointment, before or after school and at lunchtime; or if the Adviser is available they can call into the centre on a drop in basis.

PARENTS

Parents are always very welcome to attend careers appointments, which can be arranged after school hours if necessary. Careers Advisers are also available for consultation at parents evenings for years 9-13

PSHCE/CEG

There is a comprehensive Careers Education and Guidance Programme for all year groups 7-11 and sixth form which is delivered by tutors during skills lessons. Where possible the Careers Advisers are involved in the planning and delivery of CEG. Work related learning is an integral part of the PSHE / skills programme and students in years 9-11 also undergo at least 5 days of business enterprise activities. Details of the CEG programme can be found on the careers website.

EXTERNAL LINKS

To compliment our careers education programme we have a well established programme of guest speakers from Higher Education and Industry. We are also part of the widening participation and aim higher network and students regularly attend events at local Universities.

WORK SHADOWING /WORK EXPERIENCE

All Students in year 10 participate in a two week Work Experience Programme.
6th form students are encouraged to take part in Work Shadowing and voluntary activities which may count towards the AQA Baccalaureate Qualification.

We have two dedicated work experience and work shadowing co-ordinators responsible for the administration and matching students to suitable placements.

All our placements are Health and Safety checked and agree a code of practice. Parental permission is always required.

QUALITY SERVICE

We aim to provide a high quality service for all our students and their families. To do so we have outlined the service you can expect from the careers department at HGS.

HGS Students using careers services are entitled to:

• A dedicated Careers Resource Centre
• Welcoming and approachable staff
• Time given, by negotiation with tutors to attend your careers appointments
• Qualified and experienced Advisers who will provide impartial and fair guidance information and advice on all the options available to you
• Confidentiality - Private Interview rooms are available if required
• Appropriate careers guidance and information without prejudice of any kind.
• Support and assistance with Higher Education and job applications and CVs
• Help in preparing for university and job interviews.
• Two weeks of supported work experience in year 10.
• Help in finding suitable work shadowing and voluntary placements in 6th form
• At least 5 days of Business and Enterprise Activities years 9 to11
• A comprehensive Careers Education and Guidance Programme from years 7 to 13 –via the skills programme.
• Help to identify and claim suitable sources of funding and financial support for learning eg EMA and Higher Education Finance.

Students using the careers services have responsibilities to:

• Attend careers appointments on time or to let the careers adviser know if you are unable to attend.
• Return loaned resources in good condition and on time
• Behave in a courteous and appropriate manner in all careers and work related learning activities.
• Take the responsibility to research your own plans and ideas using the facilities made available to you
• Act upon any specific actions suggested by the careers adviser

Comments, complaints and compliments:

• We welcome feedback and ideas from students. Your comments good and bad help us to improve our services.
• If you wish to comment you may contact us directly or via your form tutor alternatively you can post your feedback form in the comments box in the careers resource centre.

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