Richmond School
Departments | Careers Library
CAREERS LIBRARY
Introduction
Welcome to Richmond School’s Careers Department. The Careers Department is a purpose built, self contained, dedicated careers library focusing solely on providing careers support and information in a relaxed and friendly environment. The careers library is well resourced, frequently updated and offers on-line access to a range of careers related web sites.
We were one of the first schools in North Yorkshire to be awarded the Quality Standards for Careers Education and Guidance. This prestigious award was achieved in April 2006 and amongst the aspects of the department that were assessed as part of the award, were the quality of guidance and advice offered by staff and the quality of careers materials provided to students.
Careers staff pride themselves on their friendly and approachable nature coupled with experience and expertise. Much of the work of the Careers Department, however, takes place in the classroom with a programme of careers education and guidance running through all key stages and recognising the key milestones in each child’s education that will require additional support.
Staffing
There are five key members of staff responsible for careers education and guidance at Richmond School all of whom can be contacted via email as detailed below:
Mr Barry Guy (Head of Careers)
Ms Alison Dakin (Assistant Head of Careers)
Mrs Andrea Busby (Work Experience Officer)
Mrs Beverley Dawson (Connexions Personal Advisor)
Mrs Lisa Pratt (Connextions Personal Advisor)
Sixth Form
The school has a thriving sixth form centre and a good deal of the work carried out by the Careers Department involves sixth formers.
During Year 12 students will participate in a block of careers lessons aimed at helping them to focus on whether they should be considering University or employment post 18. Students also have the opportunity to refer themselves for a careers interview. This gives them the opportunity to discuss their personal needs with one of our Connexions Personal Advisors.
Towards the end of Year 12, the school hosts a careers event involving a variety of workshops covering all aspects of higher education. Typically around 25-30 guest speakers including a number of universities and ex-Richmond School students take part in this successful event.
During Year 13 a detailed programme of careers education and guidance is operated in the Autumn term. The majority of our Year 13 students will apply to university and extensive support is in place to facilitate this. This support includes direct staff guidance as well as tailored printed material issued to everyone.
Some students decide that university is not for them whilst in Year 12 and a separate programme of support is operated by the Connexions Personal Advisors. The focus of these sessions is on preparing letters of application, curriculum vitae writing and job searching.
An increasing number of students are choosing to take a gap year before going to university. We also offer advice and guidance on the opportunities available.
Key Stage 3
The focus of careers guidance in Year 9 is to help students with GCSE options choices. Each Year 9 student is issued with a ‘Which Way Now?’ guide In the Spring term, along with a ‘Parents and Carers of Year 9 Students Guide’. Further advice is given on the Connexions website http://www.connexions-direct.com.
Key Stage 4
The work of the department at this key stage falls into two categories: firstly, work experience in Year 10 and secondly, preparing Year 11 students for either further education or an apprenticeship.
Careers staff support students in Year 11 through a programme of lessons during the year and focusing on a wide range of issues that will affect young people at this age.
Work Experience
Students have the opportunity to benefit from work experience whilst at Richmond School.
Year 10 Work Experience – This is a massively important part of careers education in Year 10 with lots of support being provided in preparation for a two week block of experience in June. There is a massive range of opportunities available to students including placements in education, engineering, leisure and tourism, retail and uniformed services.
Top Tips for Parents |
Top Tips for Students |
If your child has any medical condition that could affect the placement, please record this on the WE4 form. |
Attend every day and always arrive in plenty of time. |
Please sign and return paperwork promptly. |
Treat everyone with consideration and be polite at all times. |
Talk to the school about any concerns you may have. |
Be enthusiastic and show a positive attitude to your work. |
It takes time for young people to settle into their placement. |
Wear appropriate clothing for the placement. |
Encourage your child to be positive even if the placement is not quite as expected. |
Listen carefully to instructions and if you are unsure about anything…ask! |
Speak to the school about any problems during the placement, not to the employer. |
Think before you act and work safely. |
Ring the school and the employer as early as possible if your child is unable to go to work. |
If you have a problem with work talk to your supervisor or contact school. |
Discuss the placement and encourage your child to complete their diary. |
Complete your work experience journal throughout the placement – while things are fresh in your mind. |
Your child may get very tired working as an adult for the first time and will need your support. |
If you are not able to attend work, for whatever reason, please call the school and your employer immediately. |
Sixth Form Work Experience – As well as some of the opportunities students have for work experience on the courses they choose, they may also opt in to undertake voluntary work to gain more specific/relevant experience in preparation for employment or University. Typical placements include primary education, veterinary, nursing and childcare.
The Careers Library
The Careers Library is a dedicated, purpose built building full of resources directly relevant to career planning. The Careers Library provides a comfortable environment for students to carry out careers research. Resources range from full internet access and network installed software, to the more traditional printed materials – books, leaflets and prospectuses. Materials are updated constantly, to keep them current and we have a self contained interview room to ensure privacy during careers interviews. Sixth Formers have full and free access to the Careers Library when not in lessons.
Careers Interviews
Interviews are held every week on Wednesday and Thursday by Connexions staff. Every student in Year 11 will be invited to at least one careers interview. Any other student can request an interview using the process outlined below.
- There are a supply of Careers Interview Request Forms in the Careers Library on the counter.
- Complete a form and post in the red box on the wall next to the counter.
- Miss Dakin will contact you via your tutor with an appointment to attend.
- If you are unable to attend your interview, please notify Miss Dakin or Mr Guy immediately.
Employment
Although a large proportion of our Year 11 students will stay on in the Sixth Form, and although many of our sixth formers will enter higher education, we still offer full support to those wishing to enter employment either at the end of Year 11 or Year 13.
The Connexions Personal Advisors recommend the following useful sites:
http://www.guidance-services.co.uk/
http://www.connexions-direct.com/
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/index.html
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/
Universities and Higher Education
We have developed links with some of the local Universities:
Teesside: http://www.tees.ac.uk/
Durham: http://www.dur.ac.uk/
Newcastle: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/
Lancaster: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/
Manchester: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/
Coursefinder – to help with the difficult task of deciding what course and which University is right for YOU, visit http://www.ukcoursefinder.com/. CourseFinder searches through over 50,000 Higher Education courses from 500 UK Institutions.
Anyone applying to University will need to go through the UCAS website and from there you can visit the website for any University, search for courses or find out about University life. http://www.ucas.com