Careers Education

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At Prendergast Ladywell School, we provide our students with a comprehensive careers’ education programme. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our holistic approach, which integrates careers education, information, advice, and guidance (CEIAG) into our Personal Development curriculum.

At Prendergast Ladywell School, our aim is to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to identify and pursue careers and progression routes that align with their individual strengths and interests. Through a range of engaging activities, including PSHE lessons, work-related learning experiences, career fairs, mentoring, and more, we provide students with valuable opportunities to explore their passions and develop the necessary skills for success in their chosen paths.

We are proud to align our careers provision with the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance, ensuring that our programme meets the highest standards of quality and effectiveness. By doing so, we empower our students to make informed decisions about their post-16 destinations and embark on positive pathways towards their future goals.

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our dynamic careers programme and the enriching opportunities it offers to our students. Together, we are shaping the future leaders of tomorrow, one career at a time.

The Gatsby Benchmarks:

A stable career programme.
Learning from career and labour market information (LMI).
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.

Provider Access Policy

This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

Procedure

A provider wishing to request access should contact Khadine Shaw, Careers Leader, Telephone: 0208 690 1114; Email: plscareers@prendergast-ladywell.com

Opportunities for access

A number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to pupils and/or their parents/carers.

Pupil entitlement

All students in years 7-11 are entitled:

to find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point.
to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options events, assemblies and group discussions and taster events.
to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

Statement on Provider Access

See the Statement on Provider Access in the Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance Policy below which sets out the school's arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at the school.

KS3 careers resources

•Interest quiz on Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/student/interests-profile/quiz

•Personality profile on Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/student/personality-profile/quiz

•Skills profile on Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/student/skills-profile/quiz

•Visit careers library on Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/student/careers

•Visit subjects library on Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/student/subjects

•Career ideas and information for your future: https://icould.com/

•Skills interactive: Skills Express: Skills Interactive

Year 9 Options

•Careers library in Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/student/careers

•How to decide on a career path: https://www.unifrog.org/student/know-how/exploring-careers/how-to-decide-on-a-career-path-6-tips

•Subjects library in Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/student/subjects

•Choosing your GCSE options (video): https://icould.com/stories/choosing-your-gcse-options-video/

•Careers quiz: https://www.ucas.com/explore/career-quiz

•Interest quiz on Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/student/interests-profile/quiz

Post-16 Options

•Post-16 Options

•Choosing your GCSE options: https://icould.com/stories/choosing-your-gcse-options/

• What level should I choose? https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/14-19/learning-options-for-young-people/what-level-should-i-chose What level should I choose?

•Selecting the right course: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/14-19/learning-options-for-young-people/what-level-should-i-chose/selecting-the-right-course

•Job sectors: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors

•Financial support for 16–19-year-olds in education: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/14-19/financial-support

•How to wite a CV: https://barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-help-applying-for-jobs/school/cv-builder/

Work Experience

Year 10 students undertake one week work experience during the academic year. We encourage students to find their own placement in an area which compliments their future career choice. Students are also encourage to take advantage of virtual work experience opportunities.

For students: a guide to placements/work experience: https://www.unifrog.org/student/know-how/direct/for-students-a-guide-to-placements-work-experience

•work experience own find form

•How to wite a CV: https://barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-help-applying-for-jobs/school/cv-builder/

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships give you the chance to learn and gain nationally recognised qualifications while getting a weekly wage. Learn more about apprenticeships from the websites below:

•Apprenticeships : https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/

•Find an apprenticeship: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

•Apprenticeship in Lewisham: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/employment-support-and-careers-advice/apprentices

•Amazing apprenticeships: https://amazingapprenticeships.com/

Labour Market Information (LMI)

Labour Market Information (LMI) is the name for facts and figures about jobs and employment. The information is used to give an overall picture of the past, present and future of work. The labour market is the term used to describe the amount of people working and looking for work, and the amount of jobs.

Explore LMI using these resources:

•Payscale.com https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Country=United_Kingdom/Salary

•Use LMI to make career decision: https://icould.com/stories/using-lmi-careers-decisions/

•UK Labour Market: March 2022: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-labour-market-march-2022

•LMI for all: https://www.lmiforall.org.uk/about-lmi-for-all/

•Subjects library on Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/student/subjects

Careerometer is a tool that lets you compare the average wages and working hours of up to three jobs at the time in England. Have a go and learn something new: https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/careerometer

Careers Appoinment (IAG)

Each student will have a one to one careers appointment with a careers adviser. Watch the video below to help you to prepare for your career appointment.

• How To Prepare For A Careers Appointment : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONKDYTVJrcY

•Complete pre-interview questionnaire

•How to wite a CV: https://barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-help-applying-for-jobs/school/cv-builder/

•Introduction to IAG: careers appointment presentation

•Careermag for parents: careermag | Careermap

•Parents guide to apprenticeship : A parent’s guide to Apprenticeships - The Student Room

Unifrog for parents/carers

Utilize Unifrog to gain insights into various careers. Parents can create their own Unifrog account by logging on to Code - Unifrog and entering the code parentsprendergast

Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account.

By creating an account, parents can conduct their own research, discover events or activities, and enhance their understanding of career learning and decision-making processes.

Current Opportunities

Bank of England Career Insight Day

Host:  Bank of England

When & Where: London (details announced upon registration)

Who’s it for: Young women aged 16–22 with an interest in banking & finance careers

Cost: Free of charge

What to Expect

Industry immersion: Gain direct exposure to banking and finance through interactive talks, Q&A panels, and real-world case studies.

Behind-the-scenes insight: Learn about central banking operations, roles across departments, and career pathways from Bank of England professionals.

Skills development workshops: Take part in sessions on CV writing, networking, and interview techniques tailored for finance roles.

Mentor-led support: Build connections with successful women in the sector—hear their stories, receive guidance, and ask your questions.

Access to further opportunities: Increase your visibility for future internships, graduate programmes, or work experience with BelEve and its corporate partners.

website https://beleveuk.org/event/bank-of-england-career-insight-day/

Dear all

Every autumn the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh run free events for young people who are interested in a career in medicine.

At Entry to Med School a panel of medical school admissions staff detail the realities of applying, planning and preparing for life as a medical student.