Key Stage 4 Careers Programme

In Year 10 and 11 there will be opportunities for students to further develop their knowledge and skills needed to make successful choices and manage transitions hrough the Aspiring Futures Programme, Personal Development Days and additional events. Our Careers education and guidance programme will help students to make informed choices about their future.

The programme includes:

Understanding yourself and others around you in more depth
Realising and achieving potential.
Further develop research skills in investigate opportunities available.
Implement Career plans.

Students have access to staff in the Information Centre at all times if they have any questions or require information about any aspects of Careers investigation and information. 1:1 appointments are available to students, we aim for every Year 11 student to have had at least one interview with our external impartial careers advisor.

The programme throughout Key stage 4 is built around Career Development Institute’s latest “Career Development Framework 2020” includes the following:

Year 10

Champion tutoring	Each student is assigned a mentor (tutor) who supports them with aspirations, progression and other aspects of super- and extra-curricular development.
Careers lessons in AF (Aspiring Futures lessons)	Progressive careers education lessons following the CDI CEIAG Framework: LMI, CV writing, finance and budgeting, investigating career information using external websites.
Post-16 options assemblies	Encounters with providers of Technical Qualifications and Apprenticeships; (date and provider TBC).
Mentoring Day and Careers Fair	Parents and students are invited to attend our annual Careers Fair to meet local colleges, training providers and employers and discover what opportunities are available after they leave school.
“Apprenticeship Bus” event	Externally organised city-wide event taking place in schools, to inform students about the wide range of apprenticeships and how to apply. Available to all Year 10s but sign up is necessary.
College Taster Day	Students select which college they would like to have a taster day at, they also select which sessions they attend.
CV writing	All Year 10s will have an opportunity to write and print out a CV during Aspiring Futures lessons.
Mock Interviews	“Prep for Work” Personal Development Day – this off-timetable day will provide an opportunity for all Year 10s to take part in a mock interview with an employer.
Work Experience (2 weeks)	All year students take part in mandatory 2 weeks of work experience.
1:1 Careers Interviews (on request)	Year 10 students have the opportunity to request a 1:1 careers interview with the Level 6 qualified Careers Advisor. (All students will be offered a 1:1 interview in year 11, as part of our core offer)
Extra- and Super-curricular activities	After-school clubs are a great way to discover what drives you! Join a club to learn new skills, make new friends and discover your passions. 'Super-curricular' activities are educational activities which go above and beyond the school curriculum. This can be anything from podcasts, documentaries, trips to a museum, books, magazines, online programmes and more. “Careers” page on our school website has ideas from Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Careers @ ALNS Instagram	Follow our Careers page on Instagram to learn about upcoming events as well as careers trends, industry insights and much more.
Careers events, visits and trips	Run throughout the year and announced via tutors, on our Instagram page and in the parent and student Bulletin.
Information events and parent evenings at school	Crucial to attend, these events provide information vital to academic and social success in school. Keep an eye on the bulletin and letters from school.
	SEND students start 1:1 careers interviews at the end of Year 10. Further 1:1 sessions are arranged, as well as support with attending interviews, arranging specific taster/bespoke sessions to ensure a smooth transition from school to college/apprenticeship.

Year 11

Champion tutoring	Each student is assigned a mentor (tutor) who supports them with aspirations, progression and other aspects of super- and extra-curricular development.
Careers lessons in AF (Aspiring Futures lessons)	Progressive careers education lessons following the CDI CEIAG Framework: LMI, CV writing, finance and budgeting, investigating career information using external websites.
Post-16 options assemblies	Colleges, apprenticeships and training provider information sessions, attended by all students.
Y11 parent information evening	Information event for parents of Year 11 students on how to best prepare for the year ahead, including the Head Teacher’s address and a careers fair featuring key local providers and our Careers Adviser.
Mentoring Day and Careers Fair	Parents and students are invited to attend our annual Careers Fair to meet local colleges, training providers and employers and discover what opportunities are available after they leave school.
1:1 Careers Interviews	• All students in Year 11 are offered a 1:1 Careers Interview with a Level 6 qualified Careers Adviser. Students are offered support with College and Apprenticeship applications, CVs, individual advice and guidance.
Extra- and Super-curricular activities	After-school clubs are a great way to discover what drives you! Join a club to learn new skills, make new friends and discover your passions. 'Super-curricular' activities are educational activities which go above and beyond the school curriculum. This can be anything from podcasts, documentaries, trips to a museum, books, magazines, online programmes and more. “Careers” page on our school website has ideas from Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Careers @ ALNS Instagram	Follow our Careers page on Instagram to learn about upcoming events as well as careers trends, industry insights and much more.
Specialist destinations workshops (eg Oxbridge, HE, Apprentice, Forces, etc)	Run throughout the year and announced via tutors, on our Instagram page and in the parent and Student Bulletin. Available to all students but sign up is required.
Information events and parent evenings at school	Crucial to attend, these events provide information vital to academic and social success in school. Keep an eye on the bulletin and letters from school.
College Open Events	Students and parents are provided with dates and times for college open events and encouraged to attend.
	Year 11 students are offered ongoing support through the Summer (via The Careers Hub drop-in service in Civic Offices, ground floor, check opening times), on results day, certificate evening and at any point once they have left ALNS, to help them stay engaged in education or training. We liaise with colleges for any students who may be experiencing difficulties with the transition.
	SEND students have 1:1 impartial careers interviews in Year 11 and, where required, other 1:1 sessions are arranged plus support with attending interviews, arranging specific taster/bespoke sessions to ensure a smooth transition from school to college/apprenticeship.

Key learning objectives for KS4:

Y10: Developing Employability Skills and Career Readiness – CV, Mock Interview, Work Experience
Y11: Preparing for Post-16: understanding pathways and entry requirements; setting goals and making robust plans; applying for college / apprenticeship

Year 10 Learning outcomes:

I can explain my strengths, skills and achievements clearly to others.
I can create a professional CV and prepare for interviews.
I can understand what employers expect in the workplace.
I can reflect on what I have learned from work experience and employer feedback.
I can research entry requirements and progression routes for post‑16 pathways.
I can recognise how resilience, effort and adaptability support success.

Year 11 Learning outcomes:

I can explain my post‑16 plan and why it is the right pathway for me.
I can compare different education, training and employment options confidently.
I can complete applications for college, sixth form or apprenticeships.
I can use careers advice to improve my plans and decision‑making.
I can explain my skills and experiences in interviews or guidance meetings.
I can feel prepared and confident to move on to my next stage.