Bournemouth School is committed to ensuring that every student gains the skills, advice and guidance to help them make the best choices possible for their future careers. The careers education programme is devised to help students get the most from their time at Bournemouth School and to prepare them for what lies beyond. For students who are new to the school, (whether they are part of the Y7 intake, joining us in the Sixth Form or coming to us at another point in their education) the careers programme aims to help them settle in. Changing school can be a daunting process especially for those students moving from smaller schools. The programme is also designed to help students make informed decisions when there is a choice to be made, when moving from KS3 to KS4, when considering what to do (and where) at 16 and, for those that are in the Sixth Form, what options are available to them when they leave.
Students in Year 10 undertake two weeks work experience as part of their work related learning programme. The emphasis is on the students organising their placements by writing to businesses and establishments that are related to a field that they are interested in. All of the placements are either pre-approved (appearing on a database) or are checked to ensure that they meet stringent health and safety, insurance and child protection criteria.
As a school we buy in the services of an accredited Careers Advisor. This ensures that our students have access to impartial and independent careers advice and guidance from a professional and up to date source. The Careers Advisor also undertakes tracking and monitoring of students who have left Bournemouth School, either post 16 or post 18, and can help to ensure that they are being properly supported through their next phase in their career.
As part of our continuing process of improvement Bournemouth School is working towards the Investors in Careers (IiC) award. This is a quality standard which is highly regarded by professionals and OFSTED, and meeting its requirements will help us to ensure that our students are receiving the best careers education, information, advice and guidance. Currently we have passed Stage 1 and are working on Stage 2.
For further information on any aspect of the careers programme please feel free to email the Careers and WRL Coordinator tmoggeridge@bournemouth-school.org
We are currently trialling a blog which can be accessed at www.bs-careers.tumblr.com