Careers

Curriculum Intent

Careers Lead – Mr Dowling (Vice Principal)

A planned programme of careers and inspiration activities is a vital component in preparing young people for the world beyond The Rochester Grammar School. We aim to raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes, maximise students’ academic and personal achievements and encourage students to consider a wide range of careers. Through our careers education and guidance programme, we enable students to make the most of their talents and to go on to jobs or courses which suit their needs and interests.

The Rochester Grammar School is committed to providing its students with a planned programme of careers education for all students in Years 7-13; information, advice and guidance that is impartial and confidential, and prepares students for the challenges of adult and working life.

Provider Access Statement

Each curriculum area within this school actively promotes links with the world of work through their; curriculum delivery, trips and enrichment opportunities, as well as through the use of resources, displays and visiting speakers/guests. As a school, we also refer regularly to key employability skills through the Skills Builder Partnership which we expect all students to demonstrate in their studies. These are skills that we know to be essential within the world of work, and their use if actively promoted within the school curriculum and through the delivery of the IB Learner Profile.

The tutor programme also has a dedicated day every other week to promote ‘a day in the life of’ – a short snapshot of a professional from a different career field or industry, to ensure that students have a broad and balanced careers understanding, and knowledge of the different paths and routes that are available to reaching them.

If you are interested in being a part of this network or visiting speakers for our students, please sign up below.

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Our Careers Programme is informed by the Gatsby Benchmarks:

The Gatsby Career Benchmarks: a world-class standard for schools and colleges

  1. A stable careers programme. Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.
  2. Learning from career and labour market information. Every student, and their parents, should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed adviser to make best use of available information.
  3. Addressing the needs of each student. Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.
  4. Linking curriculum learning to careers. All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.
  5. Encounters with employers and employees. Every student should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.
  6. Experiences of workplaces. Every student should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.
  7. Encounters with further and higher education. All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.
  8. Personal guidance. Every student should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made.

Year-long Plan

Student Progression

By the end of Year 7 students will know more about themselves and their interests, and how their interests relate to potential careers.

By the end of Year 8 students will understand a sector of the world of work and how to access labour market information.

By the end of Year 9 students will understand how their academic choices can enable their long term career plans and goals. They will have taken part in an Enterprise activity and learnt about key employability skills.

By the end of Year 10 students will have knowledge of the varied routes available into employment, including further study and apprenticeships, and an understanding of their rights and responsibilities in employment.

By the end of Year 11 students will be aware of the current trends in the labour market, and  confident in making the choices that suit their long term plans and goals.

By the end of Year 12 students will have personal experience of the world of work. They will have the knowledge and understanding needed to make the right choices for their post-school pathway.

By the end of Year 13 students will have specific plans in place for their post-school pathway, in education, employment, or training. They will have an understanding of personal finance and budgeting in preparation for more independent living.