At Westborough we have a fully qualified Personal Adviser from Calderdale and Kirklees Careers Service, who visits school regularly and a Careers Administrator who deals with work experience and organises careers events throughout the year. Each Year 11 student has at least one dedicated meeting with the Personal Advisor in order to help them make vital career choices and lunch time drop-in sessions are also held with an open-door policy. The Personal Advisor also attends the schools’ Open Evening, Options Evening and Results Day in order to assist students and parents alike with any queries that they may have.
The school has a dedicated Careers Resource Area in the Learning Resource centre, designed to provide students with all the information they may require regarding choosing the correct career path. All the information materials have been carefully researched and are appropriate to the age and ability of Westborough Students. They also have access and dedicated time in our ICT suites to the latest careers software programmes, where staff are on hand to assist.
Work Experience
All Students in Year 11 participate in a one week Work Experience Programme. Students can be allocated a work experience placement by Calderdale and Kirklees careers but they are also encouraged to source their own placements and are then required to complete an application form and obtain parental permission before having their placement confirmed. All placements must meet the necessary Health and Safety Requirements and each student is visited by a member of WHS staff whilst on their placement.
Willingness and ability to work is often high on the list of qualities that employers look for in students, along with academic achievements. Work Experience is a fantastic opportunity for students top gain insight into the “real life” working world and gives them a chance to develop their self-confidence, practical and communication skills, which will assist them as they progress to further education or permanent employment.
Applying for Further Education
After leaving Westborough, students have many options for further education including colleges, sixth form and apprenticeships. All students are given advice and guidance in applying for their chosen Post-16 destination. Westborough will be converting to the Common Application Process for the 2010 – 2011 academic year, allowing students to apply online to multiple destinations in one easy way. This year, applications will be made in December in time for college applications to be processed for interviews beginning in February.
Years 7 – 9
Careers education is embedded into the PHSE programme for students at Key Stage 3 including some of the work done in Personal Finance, Economic Understanding and other work-related activities.
Get The Edge
The Careers Education Programme for Year 10 students runs under the Get The Edge programme. It is an intensive week of careers based activities aimed at giving the students skills and information to be able to “get the edge” in the further education and work-place. It consists of:
· External Careers Speakers
· College Speakers
· Post 16 Options Talk
· The Kudos IT software
· Work Experience Preparation
· CV Writing
· Interview Technique
Who We Are
The Careers programme is part of the Business, Enterprise and Work Related Learning Faculty. Our dedicated Calderdale and Kirklees Careers advisers are currently;
Edward Skippins
edward.skippins@ckcareers.org.uk
Kathryn Dudding
kathryn.dudding@ckcareers.org.uk
They are supported by Westborough’s Business, Enterprise and Work Related Learning Faculty who are;
Miss. F Burkinshaw – As the Faculty Personal Assistant, she is responsible for liaising with Calderdale and Kirklees Careers to organise Work Experience and for arranging the further education applications and interviews.
Mrs. C Barlow (Maternity Leave) and Mrs. D Dixon – As Curriculum Leaders for the Faculty, they ensure that all careers-related events run smoothly and all deadlines are met.
Mr. M Blakesley-Spicer – As Assistant Head, he ensures that careers events are communicated to the schools’ external partners and that they meet the statutory requirements that the school has in delivering careers guidance and Work Related Learning to students.
