Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance

We align our careers programme with the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks, as outlined in the Department for Education’s ‘Careers Strategy: Making the Most of Everyone’s Skills and Talents’ (2017):

• A stable careers programme
• Learning from career and labour market information
• Addressing the needs of each student
• Linking curriculum learning to careers
• Encounters with employers and employees
• Experiences of workplaces
• Encounters with further and higher education
• Personal guidance

Our Careers Programme is evaluated three times a year using Compass+, a self-evaluation tool from the Careers and Enterprise Company, to assess its impact. Additional feedback is gathered termly from staff and annually from students to refine and improve lessons and activities.

Careers Information, Advice & Guidance (CIAG)

All students have access to CIAG to help them navigate their education and career choices.

• Career Action Plans & Support
• One-to-One Careers Interviews – Available for students in Years 11, 12, and 13 with our independent careers advisor. If you are not called for an interview, you can request one through Mrs Chandarana.
• Written Action Plans – Students receive personalised plans to help them achieve their career goals, which can be shared with parents/carers.
• Drop-in Support – Year 12 and 13 students can access informal guidance on Friday mornings.
• Apprenticeship Drop-in – Year 11 and Post-16 students can attend weekly sessions with Mrs Williams in WS21 during form time.

Careers Resources

We offer a range of resources to support students:

• Careers books and software in the School Library and Sixth Form Study Room
• Access to the Bishop Ramsey Careers Information Facebook page for up-to-date careers opportunities
• A dedicated careers area in the Wedge Block (available by prior arrangement)

Key Career Events & Opportunities

Careers Fair

Held every two years, our Careers Fair is open to all students (and parents/carers) from Years 7-13. It features around 40 employers and educational institutions offering advice on apprenticeships, employment, higher and further education, and gap year opportunities.

Mock Interview Day

Year 10 students participate in a one-day enrichment event focused on job applications, college placements, and interview preparation. They gain hands-on experience through mock interviews with local industry professionals.

Work Experience

All Year 10 students complete a one-week work experience placement, gaining insight into the workplace and developing key employability skills. Bishop Ramsey students have earned a strong reputation among local employers for their maturity and commitment.

Employer & Alumni Engagement

We use our alumni network and welcome employer involvement for the following opportunities:

• Speaking at employer engagement events
• Mentoring students, including aspiring medics, apprenticeship applicants, and GCSE leavers
• Offering work experience placements

Alumni and employers interested in engaging with our students can contact:

Mrs Williams (dwilliams@bishopramsey.school ) – Employer engagement opportunities and career talks

Mr Chandarana vchandarana@bishopramsey.school  – Staff with industry connections or external work experience.

Careers Insight Talks

Our Careers Insight Talks connect students with industry professionals to gain first-hand knowledge about different job roles. These talks cover:

• Day-to-day responsibilities in the role
• Required skills and qualifications
• Best and most challenging aspects of the job
• Tips for students to improve their chances of success
• A Q&A session

These talks can take place online or in person, depending on the preference of the speaker and the school. If you’d like to contribute, please contact Mrs Williams (dwilliams@bishopramsey.school ).

Careers in the Curriculum

We integrate careers education into pastoral support, tutorial sessions, and PSHE lessons across all year groups:

KS3 (Years 7-9)

• Learning about employability skills and applying them in lessons
• Exploring career options and subject choices for the future

KS4 (Years 10-11)

• Year 10 Enrichment Day – Job application and interview preparation, including mock interviews
• Work Experience – One-week placement to understand the world of work
• Year 11 Career & Further Education Support – Students complete a questionnaire to guide interviews and subject information sessions with our careers advisor
• Post-16 Pathways – Support from senior staff to prepare students for further education and career opportunities.

KS5 (Sixth Form)

• PSHE Careers Guidance – Covering research skills, application processes, and interview techniques
• University Open Days – Opportunities for students to visit institutions and explore higher education options
• Apprenticeship Provider Talks – Guidance on securing degree apprenticeships

Unifrog: The Complete Careers Platform

All students at Bishop Ramsey have access to Unifrog, a one-stop platform that helps them research career paths, explore global university options, and strengthen applications. Covers UK apprenticeships, further education, and universities in the UK, US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. Students can log in with their school email at www.unifrog.org.

Careers in the Curriculum (CiC) to support learning

Additionally, on Unifrog students have access to the following, webinars on UCAS application processes, navigating clearing (if needed), and applying for jobs as well as a tests to help them work out which career they are best suited to. Their events are updated regularly, ensuring students have the latest guidance and support: Events - Unifrog

Labour Market Information (LMI)

Labour Market Information is a tool to; understand the skills needed for certain roles; find employment in your local area; and understand how career sectors are predicted to grow or shrink. LMI helps to break down data related to careers. Understanding Labour Market Information (LMI) helps students:

• Identify in-demand skills and careers
• Explore job opportunities in their local area
• Understand industry growth trends
• LMI is introduced in KS3 and developed throughout their school years to support informed career decision-making.

At Bishop Ramsey, we are committed to ensuring all students receive the guidance, resources, and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The Careers Department at Bishop Ramsey provides information, advice and guidance to students on a wide range of issues that help them build the skills they will need for working life.

The world of work has undergone significant changes in recent years and continues to do so and it is therefore even more important that we equip our students with the necessary skills for them to make decisions about their future, to know how and where to access information and to link subject areas and qualifications with possible career choices.

Some useful resources for exploring LMI that parents can use with their children are located in the table below:

Useful Information for Teachers

Information regarding resources for teaching Careers in the Curriculum, training presentations, and useful links for subjects can be found on the Shared Drive; CiC Resources for Teachers. This folder is updated regularly by the Careers Lead.