As many students are preparing to transition to the next phase of their learning journeys, our Careers and Destinations Lead Mrs Williams writes about our careers offer to students and highlights some upcoming events and opportunities for them:

The Careers Guidance Programme at Heart of England sets out to give your child an idea of their strengths and weaknesses, to inform them of different work opportunities and teach them about skills they need for future life.  There are a variety of careers guidance sessions given to students throughout the school year.  Some of these are delivered through assemblies, some in tutor time and some during curriculum time in a subject-specific way.  All year groups get the opportunity to hear from at least one employer and gain first-hand information from someone in the world of work.

Key Events

Some of the highlights and up-coming events for each year group are:

• Year 7:
  • engineering workshop: designing a car seat of the future
  • labour market information giving an insight into job sectors in the local area
• Year 8:
  • Employer Assembly from a charitable organisation – working in a refugee centre
  • labour market information giving an insight into job sectors in the local area
  • employability skills assembly
• Year 9:
  • workshops for students and parents
  • options information
  • guest speakers
• Year 10:
  • GP employer talk
  • labour market information giving an insight into job sectors in the local area
• Year 11:
  • individual one-to-one Careers Guidance Interviews
  • workshops and employer talks
  • Solihull College talk
• Year 12:
  • individual one-to-one Careers Guidance Interviews
  • GP talk
  • law talk
  • apprenticeship information
• Year 13:
  • individual one-to-one Careers Guidance Interviews
  • GP talk
  • law talk
  • apprenticeship information
  • UCAS application guidance and support

In addition, please also look out for information which is posted on the school website throughout the year regarding events, virtual work experience opportunities and talks.

Contribute

As part of our ever-growing careers programme, we are always looking to further expand what we can offer our students.  Could you help us to further expand what is on offer to our students?  Helping young people to engage and learn from employers is crucial in supporting them to achieve their ambitions.

Parents/carers are the biggest influence for young people in making decisions about their future.  By working with the school’s careers team parents and carers can share their own knowledge and experiences to help students understand the skills and qualifications they need to enter the world of work.

There are numerous ways to pledge your support and your commitment can vary depending on your availability but whatever you are willing to help with will make a vital difference to our school.  Some example ways to get involved are listed below:

• Mock Interview Days
• Assembly Talks
• Workplace visits
• Work Experience Opportunities
• Careers Fairs (September 2022)
• Subject curriculum talks/activities

Creating Futures

At Heart of England we work for each student to give them the best opportunities to make great choices for their journey whilst they are with us and crucially, beyond into the world of work after they leave us.  We hear many stories of the successes of our former students and the contributions they make to our society, the workplace and in further education.

If you are interested in pledging your support or have any questions please get in touch with me, Mrs Williams Careers and Destinations Lead, as soon as possible at Williamsc@heart-england.co.uk or phone our main telephone number.

Mrs C Williams
Careers and Destinations Lead