Information for Parents
Parents
The information provided on this page is intended to help you support your son on their careers journey during their time at St Aidan’s. You will find a variety of links that will help you guide your son on their journey and at key transition points (Yr7, Yr9, Yr11 and Yr13).
Parents, carers and guardians are the biggest influences in young peoples lives, the Talking Futures website hosts information, video content and activity ideas to help families have well informed careers conversations with their children.
Careers Programme
The careers learning journey is a visual map of the exciting careers programme that is available to your son during their time with us. The careers learning journey will include employer talks and visits, opportunities to experience or hear about what is on offer at local and national Universities, information and guidance around college courses, apprenticeships and traineeships; and linking the curriculum with the world of work. All of which will help your son develop a sense of direction and ultimately prepare him for his ‘next steps’. Career learning opportunities will be communicated via the school gateway or by letter and the school newsletter will be used to share experiences and celebrate success.
Career Guidance
Career Guidance is an opportunity for students have a one-to-one meeting with a careers professional to discuss their ‘next steps’. All year 11 students will have their one-to-one meeting with Mrs Osmialowski, Careers Advisor. Your son will be issued an appointment time before their meeting. This is an opportunity for your son to share his ideas and explore his post 16 options, as well as receive information, advice and guidance to help him make an informed decision. Following your son’s career guidance meeting he will be provided with a personal action plan that he can share with you and that you can discuss together, as a family. If you or your son has any further questions about the action plan please contact Mrs Osmialowski for further advice.
Dates and times of open evening/information evenings and vacancies with local HE providers and employers will be shared via twitter @SACA_CareersEd, School Gateway and the school Newsletter.
Careers guidance is also available to all Sixth form pupils and provided by an external company.
Career Guidance appointments can be requested from Yr7 – Yr13. To make an appointment please contact Mrs Osmialowski.
A Levels
A Levels are subject based qualifications usually studies over two years assessed by exams. They can lead to further study, training or work.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website A Level pages.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are real jobs that allow young people to earn a wage whilst they learn. They can take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on the level and go all the way to degree level. Students can apply for an apprenticeship whilst still in school but must be 16 or over to start one.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website apprenticeship pages and Amazing Apprenticeships Parent Zone
T Levels
A T Level is a nationally recognised qualification for 16-19 year olds that lasts for two years and is the equivalent of 3 A Levels. Leading businesses and employers have helped design T Levels to give young people the knowledge and skills they need for work or further study.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website T Levels pages.
This guide will support understanding of what T Levels are.
Access this toolkit to develop your skills, knowledge and confidence in talking about T-Levels with parents
Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs)
VTQs are practical qualifications for over 16s designed to help students get the skills they need to start their career or go on to higher levels of education. There are a few different types and levels of VTQs including BTECs from Levels 1 – 7, Cambridge Nationals: Levels 1 and 2, Cambridge Technicals: Levels 2 and 3 and T Levels at Level 3.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website VTQ pages.
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
HTQs are technical qualifications for young people 18 or over, that are approved by employers. They are usually classroom based and there are many different types, including Higher national diplomas, Higher national certificates, Foundation Degrees and Higher education diplomas.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website HTQ pages.
Higher Education (HE)
HE is the name for qualifications and courses young people can take after 18. There are many different types including Diplomas, Bachelor degrees, Foundation degrees and foundation years, HTQs and Degree Level Apprenticeships.
To find out about more, visit the National Careers Service website HE pages.
Work
Young people can only enter the world of work that does not involve further education or training full time, after the age of 18.
Supported Internships with an education health care plan (EHCP)
Key information:
This is an unpaid work-based study programme that usually last for one year. It includes an extended work placement that lasts for at least 6 months. They help young people on EHCPs to take their first step from education into the workplace.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website supported internship pages.
School leaver schemes
Some companies offer school leaver schemes to young people who have completed A Levels. The schemes allow them to learn and train with a large company whilst earning a wage.
To find out more, visit the National Careers Service website school leaver schemes pages.
Further resources:
Career Guidance Meeting Letter 2022
Parent and Carers Helping your child begin their career journey
The Parents’ Guide to National Apprenticeship Week 2023
Get the Jump – explore education and training choices
University links and recourses:
Work Experience
All Yr10 and Yr13 students will have the opportunity to engage in one week of work experience. We believe this enables all students to experience first-hand experiences of the workplace to help them explore career opportunities. Engaging with work experience placements can significantly benefit students in areas of communication and interpersonal skills, increased confidence, increased understanding of the world of work and key industries, improved employability, increased maturity, team working skills, increased independence, enhanced independence, time-management skills, a clearer sense of career aspirations, greater motivation to engage in education, understanding educational and career pathways, easier transition from education to work, improved educational attainment and many more.
A launch assembly will be delivered in partnership with, FutureMe to give an insight into work experience and how to find and secure a work placement. It is sometimes useful to tap into your own contacts to help find a placement, friends and family may be able to help you out or you can support your son in researching and contacting local employers.
Work Experience Parent Letter 2022/23
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akers for Schools
Speakers for Schools is a charity that exists to help your young people carve their own path in life. Explore work experience opportunities or browse the library of inspirational talks with your son.
Labour Market Information (LMI)
Labour market information tells you about the local or national demand there is for different skills and from different industries. Labour market information tells you:
- Which jobs are likely to be easiest or hardest to find in your area
- Which are the big employers in different areas and which ones have jobs on offer
- What skills employers are looking for and which are in short supply
- How much you can expect to be paid in specific jobs
- What working conditions are like
- What qualifications will be most helpful if you want a certain career
- What the jobs of the future might look like and which jobs might disappear
All of these factors can help your son make a more informed decision about what career path to take.
There are certain areas of industry where the North East performs strongly, and which is likely to grow in the future, based on what we know at the moment. In the North East, the sectors that we expect to grow in the future are: Digital Advanced manufacturing Health and life sciences Energy.
The North East have identified four main growth areas:
- Advanced Engineering
- Digital
- Energy
- Health & Life Sciences
LMI Infographic Summary Text-v8
Careers In Touch Autumn Edition 2022
Alumni
We work closely with our Alumni to share their journey with your son and inspire them to reach the top of your mountain. We encourage Yr11 and Yr13 students to sign up to future first so that we can keep in touch. We would also love to hear from any parents that attended St Aidan’s to let you know how you can give back to your school, as well as sharing news and updates, and hopefully you can return to share your story and inspire the younger generation!
https://networks.futurefirst.org.uk/signup/staidans
Contact
If you would like to feedback on our careers programme, have any questions about careers and ‘nest steps, or would like to volounteer your time to support the programme please contact Mrs. Osmialowski, Careers Leader.
