Careers Lead

The pupils at Marsden Heights have access to impartial Information, Advice and Guidance, from a dedicated staff member who works closely with students on a day-to-day basis and who has the support of the Senior Leadership Team whose role is to help guide your child to their chosen destination.

The School’s Career Leader can be contacted either via phone or email. See below for contact details.

Mrs Jess Ross

Careers Leader 

Marsden Heights Community College, Edge End Lane, Nelson, BB90PR

School Number: 01282 683060

Email: jross@marsdenheights.co.uk

Pupils

Pupils will receive:

• Additional careers information within Personal Development  Drop down days and lessons.
• Access to information for CEIAG through national events, NAW and NCW. 
• Careers information embedded into the curriculum
• Weekly drop in support with applications
• Access to careers information is available in books, videos, leaflets and on computer. Any additional information, students can see the Careers Leader.
• Access to local providers on further education options.
• Support through the school’s Careers Leader.
• Other subject lessons linked to careers including STEM.

What Pupils will expect:

• Treated equally by other pupils, staff and visitors.
• Given careers information and advice that is up to date and impartial.
• Given extra help if required.
• Pupils will be able to enjoy the sessions and activities they participate in.
• Additional support is available where appropriate through extra help by the SENDCO, Senior Leaders and the Pastoral Team.

Information for Parents and Carers

Parents and Carers have the opportunity to attend careers interviews if they wish and will be invited as part of SEND reviews (EHCP, Statements and IPRAs) and looked after children reviews.

The School’s SENDCO and the Careers Leader meet on a regular basis to discuss and action appropriate interventions for pupils with additional needs.

Parents and Carers will receive updates via email and text from the Careers Leader, with up-to-date information about upcoming events and activities.

Links with parents / carers are maintained using a variety of methods including the school website, leaflets, letters, consultation days and parents' evenings. 

Equality and Diversity

CEIAG is provided to all students and provision is made to allow all pupils to access the curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to follow career paths that suit their interests, skills and strengths with the absence of stereotypes. All pupils are provided with the opportunities that reflect their needs.

Other links with local 14-19 Providers are made when required.

Staff Development

Staff training needs are identified as part of the appraisal process and during regular planning meetings between the Careers Leader and the CEIAG SLT Link/Line Manager. Regular updates regarding Careers Development will be shared when required with staff.

Employers

The school is keen to work with local employers and build on the fantastic links we already have to secure positive Post 16 and 18 destinations. Employers can contact our Careers Leader directly to organise a visit to the school and to participate in our Careers assemblies and events. For more information, please contact the school’s Careers Leader. Information available in the Careers Leader tab.

We Measure and Assess the Impact of our Careers Programme through:

• Destination measures shared with Lancashire County Council and United Learning
• Student, parent and staff voice
• Employer feedback
• Visiting partners
• Work experience evaluation
• Website analytical review
• Gatsby Benchmarks reviewed with compass + every term
• CEIAG interviews with students, links to DD and shared with parents/carers
• Compass + records all activities and are mapped against individual students linked to the Gatsby Benchmarks

Destination Data

In order to measure the impact of our CIAG program at Marsden Heights Community College we review, track and monitor our destination (NEET) data.

Destination Data

Gatsby Benchmarks

The eight benchmarks are a framework for good career guidance developed to support schools in providing students with the best possible careers education, information, advice, and guidance:

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

We use a self-evaluation tool that gives us an immediate confidential read-out of how our own career guidance performs against the Gatsby eight benchmarks.

A Traineeship is an introduction-level programme that combines a work placement with training, it helps to prepare young people for the world of work and supports with English and Mathematics if required.

Apprenticeships are available at Intermediate, Advanced and Higher/Degree levels, and are available in a wide range of employment sectors. The length of time that it takes to complete is dependent on the level and occupation. All Apprenticeships are real jobs so young people on the programme can earn a salary.

All Apprenticeship opportunities must be advertised on the National Apprenticeships Website.

Your child must be registered on this site to apply for apprenticeships not advertised through an agency or training provider.

Apprenticeship advice can also be sought through local colleges.

The Technical and Further Education Act 2017 incorporates The Baker Clause so that providers can access Year 7 -13 pupils to promote approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships. The Careers Lead has excellent connections with the local providers and is building contacts with employers through school events and supported by the Enterprise Advisor.

An annual Futures Event is held in the local community with several providers and employers promoting further education, higher education and apprenticeships takes place for Year 11 pupils and their families may attend to help with their decisions for Year 12. The school’s careers programme embeds opportunities for providers to deliver workshops, assemblies and information to all year groups. Any requests to access students must be through the Careers Lead and decisions will be made dependent on timings, timetabling, exams and whether the information on offer is relevant to the year group and not already delivered by another provider. The school is limited to taking pupils off normal timetables, however Personal Development Days take place once every half term which focus’ on aspirations and careers.

Additional access may be granted in the form of assemblies, lunch-time drop-ins or lessons where a visiting speaker complements the pupils’ curriculum.

After MHCC

Here are some useful links for those who wish to continue with further education after leaving college.

Nelson & Colne College
Burnley College
Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School Sixth Form
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Sixth Form
Accrington & Rossendale College
Blackburn College
St.Mary’s College, Blackburn
St.Christopher’s The Sixth Form, Accrington
Craven College, Skipton
Skipton Girls’ High School, Sixth Form
Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton
Myerscough College

For others who do not want to continue into further education, the following careers research websites may be useful:

General
www.plotr.co.uk
www.schoolleaverjobs.co.uk
www.nationalcareersservice.gov.uk
Army
www.army.mod.uk
Fire & Rescue
www.fireservice.co.uk
Local Government
www.lgcareers.com
Merchant Navy
www.mntb.org.uk
NHS
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk
Police
www.lancashirepolice.uk
RAF
www.raf.mod.uk
Royal Navy
www.royalnavy.mod.uk
University Courses
www.ucas.com
www.russellgroup.ac.uk
Apprenticeships
www.russellgroup.ac.uk
Construction
www.citb.co.uk/careers
Volunteering
www.do-it.org.uk
Miscellaneous
www.bestcourse4me.com
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk
www.icould.com
www.bigambition.co.uk