Careers & Qualifications - Gosden House School

Whole School Approach

Staff throughout the school are involved in Careers Education from work related play, development of social skills, class jobs and appropriate behaviour in the lower years to the delivery of Careers education through PHSE and Careers lesson in KS3 and Work Related Exam units, Functional Skills lessons and individually tailored Work Experience placements in Year 11

All work related skills developed are linked in with the Gosden House Toolbox with the aim to develop the key skills we believe that our learners need to develop to support them in their future pathways.

Careers - Curriculum Intent Information

PAL Documentation

Policies, SEN Information and Documentation

Gosden Graduates

Each year a ‘Gosden Graduate’ is interviewed to work as an example of possible post 16 pathways. This has proven to be an invaluable way to show our parents and students possible college and career routes and the high expectation we have for all of our learners. Gosden Graduates come into school to speak about their post 16 learning routes.

THE GOSDEN GRADUATE

Our New Gosden Graduate - Thea

Year 9

In Year 9 Pupils will be supported by the school’s Aspirations Advisor to start their individual Vocational Profile which will become a developing document recording and supporting their potential vocational path. Students will also prepare for their Annual Reviews by producing a ‘My Future Pathway Plan’ (Gosden’s version of the One Page Profile) which will support them in thinking about their own preparation steps for adulthood and how those working with them can help them to achieve their goals.

At the end of Year 9 Students work with staff to produce a ‘Personal Learning Plan’ outlining their personalised learning menu for KS4 and initial ideas and possible options for transition at the end of KS4 this is an essential planning tool and an opportunity for students develop the skills and confidence to make realistic and informed decisions about their futures for themselves in consultation with others.

Students during their Annual Reviews will help develop a Pathways Plan looking to the future of each individual. In addition to this, at the end of Year 9 Students work with staff to produce a ‘Personal Learning Plan’ outlining their personalised learning menu for KS4 and initial ideas and possible options for transition at the end of KS4 this is an essential planning tool and an opportunity for students develop the skills and confidence to make realistic and informed decisions about their futures for themselves in consultation with others.

In KS4 pupils will continue to work on their own ‘Vocational Profiles’ These booklets will support meeting and conversations with parents and post 16 provider. The Aspirations advisor will be available to meet with parents and pupils to discuss and support next steps and the Vocational Profile will provide a basis for these conversations

The exams curriculum in place offers our students with a variety of vocational experience to support them in developing their skills and support their post 16 choices.

Alongside the ‘Vocation Profile’ all KS4 students have in place their own ‘Personal Learning Plan’ this document follows the through KS4 outlining their interest, future options and exam options they chosen. This working document becomes a key document when students apply for college courses and supports further their individual transition routes. These learning plans are shared with parents during Annual Reviews and Parents Consultation Evenings..

Year 10

Careers lessons throughout KS4 aimed are aimed at developing further students understanding of the world of work and their potential place within it . Students have the KS4 options to participate in a College Link Course at Farnborough College which takes place every Friday. This programme enables students to experience busy College life and gain practical skills in a variety of vocational areas.

Year 11

All students undertake work experience to widen their skills and knowledge of the world of work. The WEX programme takes place during the Spring Term consisting of three days per week over three weeks totalling nine working days. WEX gives students the opportunity to practise the skills and knowledge acquired in the CEG course. During their placements students can become aware of their individual abilities, skills qualities, needs and values and explore how these might relate to different occupations. It also creates the opportunity for students to develop a positive self- image and feel positive about their own employment prospects. They test these skills and are assessed by the academic staff and employers. The pupils complete self-assessments in the form of a Work Experience Log. All work produced is accredited through WJEC.

There is also the flexibility for individual students to continue their Work placements during the Summer term.

During the Summer Term of Year 11 students can also take part in a College Link course at Guildford college College giving them an insight into college life and supporting them in building the confidence in managing the transition into supported learning at college.

All Year 11 students take part in a two week Work Experience placement both offsite and onsite depending on student’s individual needs and interests. Work Experience is a very much anticipated experience for our students allowing them to gain a greater understanding of the world of work and promote independence and self-esteem. Each year it is a real pleasure for the Secondary staff involved in work Experience to see our students grow in confidence and maturity during this time.

KS4 Courses and Qualifications

Courses offered ranges from Entry Level 1 – Level 1 (GSCE 1-4)

The Gatsby Benchmarks

The Government’s detailed careers strategy outlines that all schools should be delivering a comprehensive careers programme and within this they should recognise and utilise the Gatsby Benchmarks to support and develop their existing provision.

The Gatsby Benchmarks increase the opportunities for students to access everything from experiences of the workplace and personal guidance with a careers adviser, to engagement with employers, colleges, training providers and universities. They provide a framework to develop a careers programme in line with their legal requirements to provide independent careers guidance to pupils throughout their secondary education (11 to 18 year olds) and students aged up to 25 with an EHCP.

Many students with SEND may face significant barriers along their career pathway but through good preparation and building trust and support with employers and families these barriers can be minimised.

Gosden House, using a team approach, aims to meet these benchmarks in full, alongside the Gosden toolkit, in order to deliver a person-centred, all-inclusive careers programme

Careers Development Plan

Careers Development Plan 2024-25

Pathways Beyond Gosden and Post 16 Information

Here you will find some useful information and links to support your child beyond Gosden:

What does post 16 options mean?

At school, or college, an apprenticeship or traineeship or part time education or training, as well as being employed or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week

Here at Gosden, our EHCP plans, alongside our Toolkit” curriculum and eventually the Vocational Profiles that are already being introduced in Year 9, support a successful transition to adulthood. The “My Future Pathway” document (copy below) highlights a person-centred approach, and the Vocational Profile is a tool to understand a young person’s experience, skills, abilities, interests, aspirations and support needs.

Support students with special educational needs and they can access life skills courses as a foundation pathway, as well as continuing with Maths and English, to help prepare from adult life, work and being part of the community. These colleges have “supported learning” hubs or units within a mainstream setting.

(Learning and Additional Needs) schools also provide vocational and life skills options on their timetable, within a Sixth Form, alongside the continuation of Maths and English. This is a slightly more familiar type of setting, more like an extension of Gosden, and it provides a steppingstone into a General Further Education (GFE) college

Are designed for young people to enable the progression onto a Supported Internship pathway in the future. Pre-supported Internships are ideal for those who would benefit from a more supportive environment and entry to the workplace.