Careers and Work Related Learning
The school has a well-staffed and equipped Careers and Work Related Learning Department, with its own section in the Library and careers interview room. The Department works with pupils in groups and individually and encourages parental involvement at all times.
The overall aim is to provide all pupils with the skills, knowledge and information to enable them to make considered educational and career decisions, consistent with their abilities and needs in a complex and changing world.The department offers its service in the following way:
Careers and Work Related Learning Lessons
Careers and Work Related Learning lessons take place within the context of the Personal and Social Education programme, between Year 7 and 11. In Year 7 and 8, students investigate the world around them and have an introduction to decision making. In Year 9, students concentrate on developing self-awareness and decision-making skills, particularly with a view to assisting pupils with their choice of options for Year 10 and 11.
The Year 10 module aims to make pupils aware of the opportunities available to them at the end of compulsory education, along with a section on money management skills. The careers element in Year 11 deals with transitional skills such as letters of application, filling in application forms, self-presentation and interview skills. There is also a “World of Work” module to introduce pupils to the practicalities of employment. Additional careers input to the Year 11 PSE programme include a talk by the Head of Sixth Form on the implications of Sixth Form education at Helsby, with an explanation of the various employment and higher education or training routes that lie beyond.
Talks are also organised for Year 11 pupils on such topics as apprenticeships, the training schemes and vocational courses, and arranges visits; all pupils have an interview with a Connexions or Helsby High School careers adviser.
Year 10 Work Experience
Each summer all Year 10 pupils are provided with two weeks’ work experience during the Summer term.
Year 10 Sixth Form Taster and College Taster Lessons
In order to help with the choices students make after Year 11, Helsby High School organises a ‘taster’ day where students can attend A Level lessons in their chosen subjects or attend a local college for the day to experience vocational courses.
Year 11 Other Opportunities
In the Spring term of Year 11, students have the opportunity to attend the Other Opportunities sessions at Helsby High School. Representatives from local colleges, apprenticeship providers and the armed forces come into school to hold workshops with students and provide essential information to help make students make an informed choice on their career.
Sixth Form
In the Sixth Form there is Careers and Work Related Learning Department involvement in the General Studies programme of talks, which include speakers representing local employers, universities and colleges of higher education.
A Careers Convention is organised biennially, whereby a large cross-section of local employers, universities, colleges and apprenticeship providers give out information, advice and guidance to students in Year 10, 11 and Sixth Form. The next Careers Convention is March 2013.
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Work Related Learning and BTEC Co-ordinator – Mr A Shelton
Helsby High School Careers Advisor – Mrs D Schofield
Connexions Personal Advisor – Mrs J Rourke
