Careers at Garstang Community Academy
Careers Lead: Sarah Procter | s.procter@garstang.fcat.org.uk | 01995 603226
Careers Adviser: Paula Askew | p.askew@garstang.fcat.org.uk | 01995 603226
All students receive the following three strands of careers education and guidance:
- Wider Curriculum
The wider curriculum equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to succeed in the world of work through a range of activities related to economic well-being.
- General Careers Advice
General careers advice and specific guidance on progression routes are provided by the school’s independent Careers Adviser, Paula Askew.
- Links with the Community and Local Businesses
Excellent links exist with the community, local colleges, training providers, and employers. These partners are invited into the school to offer advice and guidance on progression routes. Employer encounters are also incorporated into the curriculum, enhancing student engagement and understanding.
Information, Advice, and Guidance
Paula Askew, an independent careers adviser, works in Garstang Community Academy four days a week. Students in Years 10 and 11 are automatically booked for 1:1 appointments where they can explore career aspirations. Paula helps students identify suitable courses, highlight relevant colleges, sixth forms, and training, and provide a clear action plan.
Students can also request an interview by speaking to Miss Procter or their form teacher. All students receive an action plan summarizing key points discussed and outlining steps to be taken.
Paula Askew's Role:
- Deliver bespoke careers advice and guidance.
- Provide a clear action plan for each student.
- Advise and guide on opportunities after Year 11.
- Support students in completing applications.
- Promote apprenticeship pathways and help search for vacancies.
- Explore university pathways.
- Provide information about the Labour Market (LMI).
Year Group Focus Areas
| Year Group |
Careers Activities |
| Year 7 & 8 |
- Focus: Enterprise and Economic Understanding via PSHE.
- Business Enterprise project with the NHS.
- "Learn to Earn" event.
- Careers Convention (November).
- Introduction to online careers tools (KUDOS).
- Careers Library access.
|
| Year 9 |
- Careers Convention and library access.
- Pathways Assembly with local colleges.
- Year 9 options and transition support.
- Lunchtime CV and application sessions.
- Careers lessons on personal statements, apprenticeships, and challenging stereotypes.
|
| Year 10 |
- Careers Convention.
- College Taster Days (summer term).
- 1:1 Careers Interviews.
- Mock Interviews with local employers.
- Careers lessons covering employability skills, apprenticeships, and CV writing.
|
| Year 11 |
- Careers Convention.
- Subject-specific masterclasses from local colleges.
- Apprenticeship workshops.
- College/sixth form group sessions and lunchtime drop-ins.
- Employer information sessions.
- Careers lessons on interview techniques and action planning.
|
Key Career Events
- Year 10 Mock Interviews: All Year 10 students receive a mock interview with a local employer.
- College Taster Days: Year 10 students can participate in taster activities at colleges such as Preston College, Cardinal Newman, and Blackpool Sixth. Lancaster & Morecambe College also visits to deliver tasters.
- Careers Convention (November): All year groups attend the annual careers convention.
- Future Friday: Each Friday, a different career is introduced during form time, providing insight into various career paths. Students can request specific careers to be included.
- College/Sixth Form/Apprenticeship Drop-ins: Lunchtime drop-ins with local providers to ask questions and gain advice.
- Industry Days: Year group-specific industry days, based on demand and availability, such as Sustainability and Green Careers & Faraday STEM Challenge.
The GCA Careers Programme
The school has mapped out the CEIAG provision according to the Career Development Institute framework. The careers programme is differentiated to ensure progression, focusing on key transitional points and tailoring support for each year group.
We'll keep updating the accordion tool below with useful resources to help students explore different careers - and the jobs that haven't even been invented yet!
Careerometer Widget
This interactive tool helps students navigate different career areas, what's involved, and salary potential.
Careers and Post16
National Apprenticeship Week 5th-11th February 2024