Careers Provision

Introduction

Southend High School for Boys is committed to providing Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance to students through the curriculum and organised activities. Our Careers Policy is linked below.

We offer high quality careers guidance and experiences, and are embedding the eight Gatsby Benchmarks throughout our careers and employability programme. The Gatsby Career Benchmarks is a framework of eight guidelines on what makes the best careers provision in schools and colleges.

Mrs Clare Hamilton: Careers Lead and Post-18 Student Adviser - email ceh@shsb.org.uk

Mrs Anna Murphy: Careers Adviser - email alm@shsb.org.uk

Aims

It is part of the vision and mission of Southend High School for Boys that all learners have a planned programme of activities to help them choose 14-19 pathways. These plans should be right for them so that they leave school in a strong position to be able to manage their careers, sustain employability and achieve personal and economic well-being throughout their lives.

Careers provision

Year Group	Activities
Year 7	Introduction to Unifrog. Students will explore the functionality of Unifrog and see how it can support their future career aspirations.
Year 8	Pathway planning as students begin to consider their GCSE options. Challenge stereotypes in the workplace workshop. What does success mean to you? Students start to think about what a career means to them.
Year 9	Students look at the changing world of work and the importance of adaptability. They learn how to identify the relationship between skills, qualifications, interests and work. At the end of the year, students participate in a ‘go to work with a parent’ day.
Year 10	Students explore the importance of employability and the skills they will require in the workplace. All students take part in a ‘mock interview’ exercise run with the support of local business, parents and alumni. They learn how to complete a job application, CV and covering letter.
Year 11	Students are provided with information and guidance as they make choices around their post-16 options. They receive information on all qualifications available, as well as details of local providers. Students explore how their decisions can affect post-18 options and look at university entry, degree and higher apprenticeships, gap years and employment. Every Year 11 student receives a one-to-one careers guidance session with our independent Careers Adviser.
Years 12 and 13	Sixth Form students follow a programme of self-development throughout their time with us. Information is shared with students regarding quality work experience placements (virtual and actual), employment opportunities, university open days, summer schools and masterclasses. Support is given throughout the UCAS process to all students, including Oxbridge and Medicine/Vet/Dentist applicants. Apprenticeship applications are supported at every level and students are able to access careers advice, information and guidance from either our Post-18 Student Adviser, or our independent Careers Adviser. Parents and students are invited to take part in an ‘Introduction to Post-18 Choices’ presentation in Year 12 and a ‘Student Finance’ information event in Year 13.

Partnerships

At Southend High School for Boys we use Unifrog, a destinations platform, to support our careers education programme. This is used in Years 7-11 in PSHE lessons and tutor time, and in the Sixth Form to underpin the post-18 choices programme and the UCAS application process. We are in partnership and collaboration with key education providers and businesses in Southend and Essex, whose aim is to improve the educational experience of children and young people in schools and colleges and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. These include: Make Happen, the Local Authority, Career Ready, Investin and Kickstart.

Our extensive alumni are also closely involved in sharing their life experiences and offering valuable opportunities.

We welcome offers of help and support from employers in a variety of activities including assemblies, mock interview days and careers workshops

Our Alumni Network

Are you a former Southend High School for Boys' student? We are working hard to create a thriving alumni network on LinkedIn.

Visit www.linkedin.com
Create a profile account (If you don’t have one already)
In the education section of your profile add Southend High School for Boys along with your start and leaving dates
Go to our school’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/school/southend-high-school-for-boys/ and hit the ‘Follow’ button
Spread the word with any former school friends – the bigger the network the bigger the benefits for all of us!

If you are a former student and able to offer us your support in any way, for example by mentoring current students, giving a talk in a subject linked to your career, conducting a mock interview etc, then please do get in touch either through our LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/school/southend-high-school-for-boys/ or by emailing Clare Hamilton: ceh@shsb.org.uk

Measuring Impact

The impact of our careers programme is measured by collating and analysing feedback from students, parents, teachers and external partners, such as Make Happen and InvestIn.

Destination data is collected and used to ensure the careers programme remains relevant, it is reviewed and updated annually.