CAREERS AT WESTWOOD COLLEGE
CAREERS PROGRAMME
During their time at Westwood College, students will take part in a careers programme in tutor time, assemblies and off-timetable events to enable them to make an informed decision about their future.
To find out more about our Careers Programme at Westwood, you can speak to:
Your Tutor or Head of Year
Mrs J Smith (Careers Lead) jsmith2@ttlt.org.uk
Mrs T Lewis (Assistant Head Teacher) tlewis@ttlt.org.uk
Mrs A Kenneth (Entrust Careers Adviser) kenneth@entrust-ed.co.uk
The linked document below provides an overview of how Westwood is striving to meet the Gatsby Career Benchmarks, thereby ensuring that students in all years have access to high-quality career guidance to make informed decisions about their futures: https://compass.careersandenterprise.co.uk/shared/gj2sj2Csuolz8iM9eHAO58A16Tn8NZDN
Supporting Westwood in its careers programme is Beverley Ashley Enterprise Coordinator, who works for the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC).
Beverley says “My role is to focus everyone’s efforts on programmes and activities that are most effective in motivating young people, supporting independent choice and positive outcomes for the young people of Westwood College. I work directly with Julieann Smith (Careers Lead) in school and Jenny Barnett (from F-Ball Ltd.), the Enterprise Adviser who is linked to Westwood and gives her time and expertise free of charge.”
The role of the CEC is to link schools and colleges to local employers to help them deliver world class careers support for all young people by building networks, supporting Careers Leaders in school and using the Gatsby Benchmarks as a best practice standard.
https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance
ADVICE FOR PARENTS (AND STUDENTS)
To help parents and carers steer their children through the confusing world of careers choices, take a look at this Parents & Carers eBook. This guide has it all – from university and apprenticeships to work experience and gap years.
The START careers website offers valuable information and guidance on future career pathways: https://www.startprofile.com
The aim of this site is to provide helpful information to parents and carers, many of whom feel at a loss about the best way to advise the young people in their care.
https://www.parentalguidance.org.uk/labour-market-information/top-jobs-of-the-future
Jobs LIVE have worked successfully with companies like DWP, Balfour Beatty, Gatwick Airport, National Apprenticeship Service, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Network Rail, IBM, Health Education England and The NHS since 2015 to deliver careers advice, recruitment opportunities and health awareness broadcasts into schools, colleges, universities and communities across the U.K.
‘Springpod’ is a website where you can get information to support your future choices. There are links to free virtual work experience placements, university open days information, degree tasters and apprenticeship opportunities.
https://www.springpod.com/?_ga=2.186238505.1687324858.1645098686-1807551775.1645098686
Real-life career videos, advice and information to inspire your career
This website will help whether you’re deciding what to study, taking your exams, planning a career, or just curious, this site will help to explain the world of work, with advice from people who’ve found the right path for them.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/careers
Career map are experts in the career sector which enables them to provide young people, students and graduates with up-to date labour market information and career support.
https://careermap.co.uk/careermag-students-teachers/
All about careers website has a host of information to help, whether it’s looking for Career Opportunities, Apprenticeships, or University it also provides many guidance tools to support you on your journey.
https://www.allaboutcareers.com/
Barclays LifeSkills helps to inspire young people to get the skills they need for a better future; Lifeskills works for teachers, parents and businesses to help young people:
https://barclayslifeskills.com/educators/
Find full or part-time jobs in England, Scotland and Wales. Use the ‘Find a job’ service to search and apply for jobs.
Career mag for parents and students
https://careermap.co.uk/careermag/
LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION
Did you know that Energy, Manufacturing and Health & Social Care are growing areas of employment in our area? Take a look at the latest Labour Market Information (LMI) for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Labour market information tells you:* What jobs and skills employers are looking for
* Which industries have vacancies and where they are
* What education and training you need for a specific job
* Which job areas are growing in the future, which are in decline and other statistics in their career choices and decisions.
Success at School – The best websites to find Labour Market Information
https://successatschool.org/blog/560/The-Best-Websites-to-Find-Labour-Market-Information
PARTNER EMPLOYERS
Westwood work closely with a number of local employers to enhance the experiences offered to our students:
F.Ball and Co. Ltd. https://www.f-ball.com/en/
Ornua Foods Ltd. http://www.ornuafoods.co.uk/
As an employer if you are thinking about the apprenticeship scheme, please visit the website below:- https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers/funding-an-apprenticeship
Here are some of the Companies Westwood College currently work with – If you are
an employer and would be interested in supporting the school and our students,
please get in touch by calling 01538 370930 or emailing jsmith2@ttlt.org.uk
CAREERS ADVICE
Alex Kenneth is our level 7 professionally qualified Careers Adviser from Entrust Skills and Employability. Alex’s role is to provide independent and impartial careers information, advice and guidance to students at Westwood, specially those in key transition years such as Year 9, 11 and the Sixth Form. This includes GCSE option choices, options at 16 and 18, further and higher education, apprenticeships and employment. To request a careers meeting students and parents can talk to Form teachers, Head of Year, Mrs Smith or email Alex directly at alex.kenneth@entrust-ed.co.uk
Entrust Education Services: https://entrust.education/
Careers Education Council (CEC): https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/
Careers advice for Year 11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrJhf57SBp0&feature=youtu.be
Careers advice for Year 13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUTZs109uHI&feature=youtu.be
This website provides careers information, advice and guidance, which can help to make decisions on learning, training and work at all stages of a career.
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
KUDOS is a leading career development service helping to explore, develop and maximise potential
https://kudos.cascaid.co.uk/#/
Careermap apprenticeships & jobs: https://careermap.co.uk/
CAREERS POLICY
APPRENTICESHIPS
Being an apprentice, you will gain skills, knowledge and behaviours through on and off -the-job training, students will learn values and behaviours that are relevant to the role of the industry.
All apprentices will be required to develop Maths and English skills and align them to their job if this isn`t already achieved.
You will earn a wage, and be trained by industry experienced staff both at work and college.
Apprentices who are aged 19 or over, and have completed 12 months of their apprenticeship are entitled to the minimum wage for their age.
National Apprenticeships website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Juniper Training: Virtual Open Day www.junipertraining.co.uk
PM Training: https://www.pmtraining.org.uk/
Amazing Apprenticeships is a leading organisation in the education sector, who are experts on apprenticeships and vocational education, driving forward innovative and creative work in England and internationally to change the way technical education is perceived.
Year 9 Enterprise Challenge Days
Budding entrepreneurs in Year 9 welcomed a host of local ‘dragons’ to their Enterprise Challenge Days this term. This Dragons’ Den style event involved all year 9 students spending a full day exploring new business ideas and competing with other teams. This year, dragons were from enterprises including Monty’s Chippy, Dale Electrical, Belle Engineering, Ornua Foods and Astra Zeneca or were representatives from education and training such as Buxton & Leek College, Entrust Support Services, Newcastle & Staffordshire Colleges Group and Achieve Training. The dragons shared their business expertise with the students and supported the teams throughout the day.
The first challenge was for teams to construct a tower from spaghetti and marshmallows, with mixed success! Teams were then presented with the ‘Tenner’ challenge: starting with only £10, make as much money as possible in one month. Helped and encouraged at every stage by their dragons, students researched their idea before creating a business proposal, logo, poster and a website article. The challenge also involved forecasting likely costs and pricing, together with a prediction of any problems they may encounter. At the end of the day, the teams pitched their proposals to the dragons in the ‘dragon’s den’ (or our meeting room!).
Every year, our students never fail to impress with their innovation and effort, with a real focus this year on supporting social issues. The winning proposals were ‘Reuse Westwood College’ (a renting out school facilities) and ‘Clean & Company’ (cleaning service for the elderly that aims to stop loneliness). As always, the event was a great success, thanks to the commitment and enthusiasm of all visiting dragons but more importantly the energy and creativity of our Year 9 students.
Mrs Karen Percival
Head of Business Studies
Westwood College, Leek
USEFUL LINKS
Post year 11 students will have the opportunity to study at the following colleges: –
Leek Federation Sixth Form: https://wwc.ttlt.org.uk/sixth-form/
Buxton and Leek College: https://www.blc.ac.uk/ Click here to view the INTERACTIVE PROSPECTUS
Stoke on Trent College: https://www.stokecoll.ac.uk/
NSCG Newcastle College: https://nscg.ac.uk/
Reaseheath College: www.reaseheath.ac.uk
The main career options for students Post year 13 are to go to University, take an apprenticeship or look for employment.
The Complete University Guide, helps students around the world to make the right choice. “Our university league tables and rankings serve as a guide to which university is best for you. On this website, you’ll find guidance and support for every stage of your journey to university, from choosing a course at university to researching and accommodation.”
https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/about-us
UCAS – This website advises on all areas relating to University life and careers paths, there is a host of information.
Homes for Students is one of the largest independent student accommodation providers in the UK.
https://wearehomesforstudents.com/student-accommodation
Higher and Degree Apprenticeships offer a valid alternative to University with qualifications to match. If you choose a degree apprenticeship, you still get to graduate with your cap and gown, along with several years of work experience.
An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and study. As an apprentice you`ll be employed by a company and paid a wage for the work that you do. Apprentices are entitled to the same rights as the other employees such as:- terms of contracts, holiday pay and bank holidays.
Higher and Degree Apprenticeships Explained
Sixth Form Student Apprenticeship Activity Pack
If you are thinking of applying for jobs, this website will present you with many tools to improve your skillset, helping you on your journey to find the right job.
https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/cvs-applications-and-tests
Aspire website has numerous live webinars to help you decide your future pathway
