Student Careers 

At Harris Academy South Norwood, our Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) programme is designed to align with the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring a high-quality and inclusive careers provision that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to thrive in the world of work. Our careers strategy is rooted in our curriculum intent to create work-ready individuals, promoting social mobility and raising aspirations for all students.

Careers Leader: Miss Squire squirec@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk Tel: ext 3813

Careers Advisor: Miss Issac Jillian.Isaac@harrisfederation.org.uk

Overview of Careers Programme

Our careers programme demonstrates that all students can achieve and excel in the academy and beyond into adult life. We aim to provide a comprehensive and personalised careers education, meeting the diverse needs of every student and ensuring opportunities for personal development and progression.

WEX: Guest Speakers and Workshops 

For the calendar of all guest speakers and events, click here. 

Definition of ‘Meaningful’ for Benchmark 6 

A meaningful experience gives the young person the opportunity to explore what it is like to work in that environment, what skills are valued in the workplace, their recruitment processes and what it takes to be successful. 

This could be achieved through visits to workplaces, work shadowing and/or work experience. Throughout the careers programme, these experiences could be in person or a combination of in-person and virtual, where appropriate.

Both the young person and employers should be supported to prepare for the experience. Additional or different support may be needed for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

A meaningful experience will:

• have a clear purpose, which is shared with the employer and the young person
• be underpinned by learning outcomes that are appropriate to the needs of the young person
• involve extensive two-way interactions between the young person and employees
• include opportunities for young people to meet a range of different people from the workplace
• include opportunities for young people to perform a task set by the employer or to produce a piece of work relevant to that workplace
• Include the employer providing feedback to the young person about their work
• be followed by opportunities for the young person to reflect on the insights, knowledge or skills gained through their experience

Schools, colleges and independent training providers (ITPs) can take into account any part-time work a young person may have, if it genuinely offers them a meaningful experience.

 

Unifrog for Years 7-9

Students in Years 7-9 participate in six tutor-led sessions annually using the Unifrog platform, a comprehensive careers tool that helps them explore their skills, interests, and potential career paths. Through quizzes, activities, and research tools, students gain insight into:

• Relevant career paths aligned to their strengths and passions.
• Local labour market information, including job prospects, salaries, and qualifications.
• Real-life insights from professionals.

Students use Unifrog to log their career exploration journey and inform their GCSE options. Tutors review students' progress and collaborate with Heads of Year (HoY) and the Careers Leader to connect them to tailored career opportunities, including guest speakers and potential work placements (Gatsby Benchmark 2: Learning from Career and Labour Market Information).

Careers Guidance for Years 10-13

Every student in Years 10-13 has access to individual careers meetings with our dedicated Careers Advisors. Advisors are on-site twice a week, focusing on:

• Supporting KS5 students with UCAS applications and post-18 planning, integrated into the Year 12 and 13 tutor programme.
• Conducting careers interviews with identified groups in Year 11, including Looked After Children (LAC) and students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), in partnership with the SENCO and SEN departments.

This personalised guidance ensures every student receives targeted support tailored to their needs and aspirations (Gatsby Benchmark 8: Personal Guidance).

Termly Careers Assemblies and Events

The Careers Leader delivers termly assemblies to all year groups, aligning with government initiatives and national events. These assemblies ensure that students receive up-to-date information and inspiration about career opportunities (Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers). Key events include:

• National Apprenticeship Week (February): Assemblies explain apprenticeships, preparation strategies, and application processes, tailored for each year group.
• Careers Week (March): Assemblies highlight our careers provision and feature first-hand insights from professionals.
• Enterprise Week (November): Focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to support career progression.
• Green Careers Week: Promotes awareness of green careers and the importance of sustainability in the workplace.
• Oxbridge and Russell Group Assemblies: Provide insights into prestigious universities and how to prepare for these pathways.

Careers Fair

Each year, we host a Careers Fair open to all students. This event allows students to interact with a wide range of employers, further education providers, and apprenticeship organisations, providing invaluable networking opportunities and insights into various career paths (Gatsby Benchmark 7: Encounters with Further and Higher Education).

Meeting Statutory Requirements

We fulfil the Baker Clause by promoting apprenticeships widely through:

• Unifrog updates.
• Careers Advisor consultations.
• Events such as National Apprenticeship Week.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Our CEIAG programme is continuously reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of our students and reflects changes in the labour market and educational landscape. By embedding the Gatsby Benchmarks throughout our provision, we ensure all students leave Harris Academy South Norwood with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to succeed in their future careers.

For more insights from Action Jackson, you can watch his keynote speaker showreel below:

Keynote Speaker ACTION JACKSON Showreel

In a recent session, Action Jackson challenged our student, Princess, to sing impromptu in front of 180 of her peers. She accepted the challenge and delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing the confidence and talent we aim to foster in our students. This moment was captured and shared on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the supportive and empowering environment at Harris Academy South Norwood.