Careers & Preparation for Life
We aim to give all pupils aged 14-19 the opportunity to gain an insight into the world of work through work experience placements within the community, internally in school, through work place visits and locally organised career events. Our ultimate aim is to equip our pupils with the tools to gain meaningful paid employment.
Our Preparation for Life Manager at Newton Bridge Academy is Jo Corrall.
To contact Jo please email: jo.corrall@newtonbridge-cit.co.uk or call 01476 564994.
JO CORRALL
Preparation for Life Manager
KAREN GILROY
Work Experience TA
DAWN PRENTICE
Work Experience TA
Work Experience
Work experience opportunities are advertised and pupil’s complete application forms and go through an interview process. We also work with pupils to organise more personal placements. Work Experience TA’s are available to support pupils and will accompany those who may require it.
During the period of work experience the pupil is required to complete a work experience log book provided by the school. Pupils attending placements independently will be visited regularly to document progress. All employers complete a short report on each pupil at the end of the placement. Pupil and Parent/Carer feedback is also requested.
Work experience placements usually last for either one full day or ½ a day a week for 6 weeks, however extended work experience may be offered to pupils where appropriate.
WORK PLACE VISITS
Alongside the work experience placements we also organise work place visits. These are one off visits for either pupils who are not yet ready to participate in the work experience programme, or to visit employers who wish to support our programme, but are unable to offer ongoing work placements.
These visits have been hugely successful, at giving pupils an insight into the day to day workings of various local businesses.
Here is an example of visits:
• The RSPCA in Radcliffe on Trent
• Macdonald’s in Grantham
• Job Centre in Grantham
• Western Power Station
• Yorkshire Bank
• Dogs Trust in Loughborough
• Siren Radio in Lincoln
• East Midlands Airport
As part of the learning programme it helps pupils to:
Experience work firsthand
Understand how employers work
Experience social relationships at work
Develop skills and knowledge for adult life
Appreciate expectations that employees will have of fellow workers
Assess how to adapt to working patterns and relationships outside of school
Gain the self-confidence needed in the adult world to increase self-esteem and self-worth
Raise aspirations of both pupils and parent/carers
External Opportunities
Hope Café
The Co-op
McDonalds
Local Supermarkets
Children’s Day Nursery
Little Gems Gift Shop (Grantham College)
Downtown Garden Centre
Sue Ryder Charity Shop
Maidenhead Aquatics
Grantham Food Bank
Local Care/Nursing Homes
Supported Internships
Sandon Campus (6th Form) are at present involved in the SEND Employment project with other SEN schools based on developing Supported Internship opportunities for those pupils that would most benefit.
Careers Events
Pupils also have the opportunity to attend various careers events. These events are supported by local businesses/employers to give an insight into different areas of local employment. The days are very hands on and pupils get a practical taste of different job opportunities that perhaps they had not thought of before.
Career Days attended:
• Various Construction Day
• Field to Fork
• SPARK
Post 16 Information Events
On an annual basis we hold a Post 16 information event where local Colleges and Post 16 provided are invited to showcase their provision and opportunities. Information is also available on apprenticeships, traineeships and supported internships as well as independent travel training and our own Sandon Campus 6th Form
School Based Work-Related Opportunities/Mini-Enterprise Activities
Newton Bridge Academy pupils are involved in various curriculum related and mini-enterprise activities such as:
• Jubilee Centre Coffee Shop run by Post 16 Hospitality.
• Post 16 Horticulture Mini-Enterprise.
The Post 16 Hospitality group based at Newton Easy Site run a coffee shop two mornings a week at the Jubilee Centre in Grantham. They prepare food on school premises which they then take to the Coffee Shop where they serve tea, coffee and a selection of cakes, biscuits, savory snacks and light bites.
This supports the Post 16 Hospitality curriculum and qualification in Catering and Hospitality that they are working towards, as well as giving pupils work experience and supporting the development of valuable life skills. All pupils complete a food hygiene certificate prior to working in the Coffee Shop.
The post 16 Horticulture group grow flowers and vegetables at the school’s allotment in town. They then sell the produce as part of a mini enterprise. Pupils are also involved in making seasonal wreaths and flower arrangements which are made to order throughout the year. These activities support the Horticulture qualification that they are working towards. Pupils also maintain the grounds of a local care home in Grantham. Through these activities they are not only gaining valuable work skills but through interaction with the local community they are developing further their social and communication skills.
How the Curriculum supports Self Development
We cover many life and living skills across our curriculum, the vocational options that pupils take help develop their knowledge and skills in order to prepare them for future employment and life.
Subjects include:
• AIM Sport
• WJEC Performing Arts
• AIM Art
• AIM Digital Media
• AIM Health & Social Care
• Modern Foreign Languages
• AIM Phototgraphy
• Enrichment
• Duke of Edinburgh Bronze & Silver
• AIM Hospitality
• AIM Healthy Living & Fitness
• EDEXCEL Functional Skill ICT
• AIM Qualification – Skills for Working in Catering and Hospitality Industries
• SSB – Vocational Studies for working in Horticulture and Catering & Hospitality
• The OCR Life and Living Skills qualification and PSHE curriculum provide the foundation for the development of skills required for adulthood.
Careers Support
As well as working with local businesses and employers we work closely with outside agencies to support our careers programme providing independent careers advice including information on apprenticeships, Traineeships and Supported Internships.
Help us prepare your child for the world of work
Did you know that parents and carers are the biggest influencers of any young person making decisions about their future education and careers choices?
By supporting your child’s school to develop and implement a meaningful Careers programme you will ensure that you can:
Help to support your
school to directly link
curriculum subjects to
the world of work
Increase the number
of encounters with
employers that young
people receive
Provide accurate
career pathway
information about the
industry sector you
work in
Use your network of
friends or colleagues
to increase employer
participation in your
child’s schools
careers programmes
Encourage your
employer to provide
more young people
with vital WORK
experiences
Help young people
understand the
skills and
qualifications they
need to enter the
world of work
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