Careers
Careers learning helps young people develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to make successful choices and manage transitions in learning and work. Here at Putteridge every effort is made to enable young people to learn about careers and the world of work so that they can manage their own development and make life choices and decisions that will benefit their own wellbeing and contribute to the wellbeing of others. The careers programme is evaluated annually to ensure that we continue to develop the education, information and guidance which is offered to our students.Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance Policy (under review) is available by clicking here.
For more information about careers or work related learning, please contact our Careers Leader, Mrs Kyte: on 01582 415791 or email dkyte@putteridgehigh.org. or our careers advisor: Tracey Young on 01582 415791.
Parents
Information for Parents is available by clicking here
Students
Information for Students is available by clicking here
What is a BTEC?A BTEC is a vocational qualification. For further information on what can be studied and details on the difference between these and A-levels please see the document below;
What are T-Levels?
Employers
Provider access statement is available by clicking here
Information on employers and training providers is available by clicking here
Labour Market Information
Information about the current local labour market is available by clicking here
Virtual Assembly - Building me up, Building me
Application for Provider Access Introduction
Year 7
Students focus on a range of skills and qualities which they will need to be successful in and out of school. This is an ideal opportunity to assess their strengths and weaknesses and identify areas they would like to focus on. The emphasis at this stage is on transferable skills. Students are also introduced to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) careers.
Year 8
During this year the main focus is on choosing Key Stage 4 Options.
The ‘world of work’ is introduced which encourages students to think about how the world of work has changed and why laws have been put in place to protect workers. Students also learn about what having a ‘career’ means. They look at how different subjects learned in school can be linked to careers. A long standing relationship with the RAF Outreach Team provides links to Maths and Science using a range of fun activities. Sessions focus on challenging stereotypes, decision making and personal identity.
Year 9
Students have the opportunity to visit universities and colleges and the school invites in representatives from local employers to deliver sessions outlining the skills and attributes required by employers. Students learn the meaning of Employability Skills. Year 9 students also get the opportunity to visit the Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
Year 10
In addition to the careers programme which covers self-development, career exploration and career management, students are given the opportunity to experience the world of work for one week. They learn what qualities and skills are relevant to different careers and build on their employability skills.
Students begin the process of researching the options available to them Post 16, attending college taster days, universities and local businesses. They learn how their education and training can take place in a number of environments from further education to apprenticeships and traineeships.
Year 11
The careers programme at this stage again visits transferable skills and qualifications required for various careers, incorporates information about different qualifications and courses available post 16, successful completion of applications forms, CV writing and interview skills. Students will be encouraged to explore and make use of The National Careers Service website and other programmes available through school.
Representatives from local colleges, universities and apprenticeship organisations visit school in the Autumn Term to expose students to all the options available to them during this decisive year.
The school collaborates with two other local high schools to organise a Careers Fayre which is attended by over 30 different education institutions, apprenticeship providers and local businesses.
The school also hosts an Apprenticeship Evening in the Spring Term which is open to parents, carers and students in Years 10 & 11.
Did you know a whopping one million people visited Success at School in 2016? Get your new year off to a flying start with our careers advice - Click here to learn more
- INSPIRE: Key message ‘Construction is a Career like no other’ - Inspire individuals and influencers; an industry collaborative marketing and communications campaign. The aim of the campaign is to inspire people to consider a career in construction and the built environment. Ultimately increasing the pool of people interested in working in the construction sector.
- DISCOVER:Enable individuals and influencers to discover information about career pathways and progression routes in Construction through an interactive careers explorer on the Go Construct website.The website provides a multitude of career information in one place, in the form of resources and links, which have been developed by employers from the construction industry. www.goconstruct.org
- EXPERIENCE: Provide employers with materials and resources to engage schools. Highlighting the variety of opportunities available for individuals, influencers and others to experience construction. An online Experience Matching Service that enables employers, federations and industry stakeholders to network with schools and career services to ultimately increase the availability of construction related experiences for new entrants. Links to this website are available through www.goconstruct.org
- JOIN: Providing information and links to how to join the sector. Coming soon! Quarter 1/2, 2017 Go Construct will provide a Skills Matching Service that will facilitate the advertising of construction careers and opportunities with training such as Apprenticeships.
COLLEGE/SIXTH FORM OPEN DAYS AND EVENINGS 2021/22
LUTON SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
Bradgers Hill Road, Luton, Beds LU2 7EW
Web: www.lutonsfc.ac.uk
Email: college@lutonsfc.ac.uk
Tel: 01582 87 75 00
BARNFIELD COLLEGE
New Bedford Road, Luton, Beds LU2 7BF
Enterprise Way, Luton, Beds LU3 4BU
Web: www.barnfield.ac.uk
Tel: 01582 569 569
BEDFORD COLLEGE
Cauldwell Street, Bedford, Beds MK42 9AH
Web: www.bedford.ac.uk
Email: info@bedford.ac.uk
Tel: 01234 29 10 00
SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGE
Old Warden Park, Near Biggleswade, Beds SG18 9DX
THE BEDFORD SIXTH FORM
Bromham Road
Bedford
MK40 2BS
Tel: 01234 291291
CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COLLEGE
Kingsway, Dunstable, Beds LU5 4HG
Email: enquiries@centralbeds.ac.uk
Tel: 08453 55 25 25
NORTH HERTS COLLEGE
Courses: 01462 424242
Switchboard: 01462 424242
Textphone: 01462 424344
Email: enquiries@nhc.ac.uk
OAKLANDS COLLEGE
Smallford Campus
St Albans City Campus, St Peters Road, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3RX
Tel: 01727 737 080
Welwyn Garden City Campus
Welwyn Garden City Campus, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 6AH
Please note that for information on Open Evenings for both the Harpenden Schools Consortium (Roundwood, St Georges & Sir John Lawes) and Hitchin Schools Consortium (The Priory School and Hitchin Boys & Girls Schools) you should access the individual school websites for information.
Work Experience
Our Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) Programme involves students in a wide range of activities and opportunities to support them in thinking ahead to the world of work. Some of these opportunities occur in the normal curriculum and some outside by means of extra-curricular and enrichment activities.
In Year 8, students can arrange to spend a day at work with their parent/carer as part of the Take Your Child to Work Scheme, those who remain in school take part in a variety of activities that explore the skills required in the world of work.
In Year 10, students take part in a 2 week work experience programme where they spend time as employees in the real work place. In the past, students have worked in such areas as the aerospace industry, schools and nurseries, hairdressers, retail, banking and veterinary practices.
More important and relevant information will be posted on the school website during the year as and when it is available. However, the links below may be of use to you and your child in preparation for the decisions they have to make in the coming years.
http://www.parentalguidance.org.uk/
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk.
http://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
In addition, we have recently been fortunate to receive some free resources from a company called ‘How2Become’. Please see their website link where you can find out more about them and the services they provide for schools, parents/carers and student.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS, CARERS AND STUDENTS
Raising the Participation Age (RPA)
What is RPA?
The Government has changed the law so that from start of the 2013/14 academic year, all young people were required to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday
The information here will help you to understand what this means for you and your child.
This does not necessarily mean staying in school; young people have a choice about how they continue in education or training post-16, which could be through:
- Full-time study in a school, college or with a training provider.
- Full-time work or volunteering combined with part-time education or training.
- An Apprenticeship (www.apprenticeships.gov.uk)
Why has this changed?
The vast majority of young people already continue in some form of education or training. However, the small group not participating includes some of the most vulnerable. We want to give all young people the opportunity to develop the skills they need for adult life and to achieve their full potential.
What does this mean for me?
The legal requirement to participate is on your son or daughter. This is because we know that, at 16, young people are starting to make – and take responsibility for – the decisions that affect their future. The Government is investing more than ever to provide fully-funded education and training places for all 16-19 year-olds who want to take them.
We know that you will be providing support and guidance to your child as they make these important decisions about their future, but there are also other sources of help.
The law has been changed to make schools responsible for securing independent careers guidance for their pupils in years 8-13. This is because school or college is best placed to secure the advice and support they need to help them decide what option is best for them. Your child can also contact trained advisers for impartial advice at the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900 (open from 8.00am to 10pm, seven days a week) – and they can use the web-chat service by accessing the website at
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk.
What happens if my child doesn’t participate?
The law has changed, but there will be no action taken against any young people who don’t participate. We want to encourage your child to participate because of the benefits it will bring. By changing the law, all young people now have the opportunity to access the learning option that’s right for them and improve their long-term prospects.
The local authority is responsible for identifying and supporting 16-18 year olds who are not participating and will be working to ensure that young people are enrolled on a suitable education or training place.