Our computer science students visited a local employer to explore the applications of their subject in a real business.

Students visited HomeServe, a large company that offers home emergency cover to people across the UK, but their headquarters are right on our doorstep in Walsall. Our students didn’t anticipate to discover so many IT related careers at this business. Students took part in a range of activities from different departments, including Technology and AI, Building a Customer Journey Online and Cyber Security. The whole day helped them to not only meet different employers and learn about new careers, but also to prepare for the application processes ahead, with the event ending on challenge that imitated tasks apprentices may take part in during assessment centres.

Our student’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many recognising that the networking session had increased their confidence communicating, and others saying the event had opened their eyes to new career possibilities. By far the most common piece of feedback we received was that the students were grateful to feel so welcomed by the staff at HomeServe; the students felt they had treated like adults and peers, making meeting new people an enjoyable experience rather than a scary one. HomeServe is widely recognised as one of the top employers in the UK, with 82% saying it is a great place to work- and our students saw this first hand.  

Our annual Careers Fair is an important part of our careers programme. It allows access for every pupil in the school, every year, to meet with a range of providers, including employers, training providers, universities, and colleges. We believe that every year group can benefit as the event has something to offer every pupil, depending on the stage of their carers journey.

We prepare our pupils for the event to ensure they can make the most of it. At Key Stage 3, this starts with Year 7 playing ‘Careers Fair Bingo’ to help them discover and understand new terminology around careers; our Year 8 pupils become ‘Careers Fair Detectives’, making links between their career aspiration and the choices that are available in their local area; in Year 9, pupils are supported to consider suitable GCSE subject options in relation to the different learning pathways and qualifications required. Our Key Stage 4 and 5 pupils are supported to focus on the important transitions ahead. For Years 10 and 12, students can start thinking seriously about which learning pathways are right for them and make sure those choices will help them progress onto their chosen career aspiration. They can also use the fair to learn more about what they can be doing now to prepare for future applications. Whereas Year 11 and 13 students will be finalising their next steps plans, weighing up the pros and cons of each pathway, considering entry requirements and recruitment selection processes, and gaining application tips. 

Each year we survey our pupils, with the majority asking for access to the fair every year and valuing the information it provides. This year:

• 89% of pupils said the fair had helped them to consider new careers and learning pathways.
• 91% of pupils said they now understand more about the qualifications, skills or training needed for different careers.
• 88% of pupils feel more confident to make decisions about their future education, training or career.

We have also seen some fantastic impact on future progression from these fairs, with pupils securing roles at apprenticeship providers featured at the fair, to others remaining in touch with providers for several years until they are old enough to apply. Many pupils are also encouraged to do more research, either through the prospectuses they take home, or by attending open days to get a feel for a provider.

The Careers Fair is often a starting point into considering the choices ahead, but it is just one of many events we run to help support our pupils. We explore their options in much more depth through one to one meetings with our qualified careers advisers, lessons with tutors that are embedded into the PSHE curriculum, focused Labour Market Information assemblies for National Careers Week, and many other careers focused events, workshops and visits. This all culminates with extensive support and guidance when it comes to making next steps applications in Year 11 and 13.

Year 10 and 12 psychology students were joined by Lawrence Moulin, Co-Chair of the West Midlands Branch of the British Psychological Society (BPS), for a workshop. Lawrence is a former clinical psychologist with extensive experience in both the NHS and the Department of Health. He was keen to share his career journey and help our students to understand where a career in psychology can take them. Students learnt more about what psychologists actually do, with a focus on counselling and sports psychology, but also learnt the realities of the competitive professions, discovering that most people who study a psychology degree do not go on to a career directly in psychology, but in other areas such as HR  and Public Policy. It helped the students to realise the importance of studying a degree with BPS approval and of making the most of any work experience opportunities they can find to boost their CVs. The session was rounded off with a group task where students examined the mental health support for young people in their local area.

After the workshop, 100% of students said the sessions made them aware of new careers and gave them more insight into what they needed to do to achieve their ambitions.

We were very lucky this year to secure 25 pupil spaces on a visit to Newnham College Cambridge. Pupils had a tour of the college and met with current students to hear about their journey to Cambridge and gain their advice. Informative sessions on university courses, student finance and super-curricular activities helped our pupils to think carefully about their future choices and how they can start preparing now. Pupils also enjoyed a lunch in the college Buttery, enjoying the generous portions on offer to keep them fuelled for the journey home.

Following the visit, the majority of pupils said they were now considering applying to a Russell Group university and all pupils agreed the trip had been worthwhile and informative.