Our careers programme is overseen by our Careers Lead – Rachael Denham
If you have any questions regarding careers or would like further advise, please contact Rachael via email: rdenham@oakfieldlodge.cheshire.sch.uk.
The Baker Clause requires all schools and academies to provide opportunities for a range of education and training providers access to all year 8 to 13 pupils to inform them about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships. This can be a great way for employers to find future employees and help to develop the skills and qualifications to ensure young people fit into the vision for your business. For information on how you can work with the students at Oakfield Lodge, please contact our Careers Lead – Rachael Denham
Intent
Oakfield Lodge School promotes an environment in which students recognise and develop a knowledge and understanding of opportunities that are available to them in the future. As they progress through the school the opportunities are broadened with careers advice, visits to colleges, college placements and work experience. Students gain cultural capital by attending a variety of educational settings and having interviews with careers advisors from KS3 onwards. We aim to use the Skills Builder principles to give students the skills that enable them to become confident and aspirational.
Implementation
The careers programme is designed to give students the skills needed to make positive steps in securing post 16 provision. Students are offered up to date guidance on the various post 16 options, how to apply and a general knowledge of the world of work. They are also given lessons on general life skills to improve essential skills such as speaking, listening and problem solving along with money management, decision making and social skills. The programme has been created to fit in with the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Students will experience careers education throughout their time at Oakfield Lodge and the information is incorporated into all lessons across the curriculum so that students are able to recognise the importance of different subjects and how they can lead to different careers. They also have stand-alone careers lessons, PFA and careers events.
The Morrisby careers platform is used to identify areas students need to improve, potential career paths and to log times when they have used essential skills. The platform is used to create CV’s, application letters and to prepare for interviews.
Impact
The main impact of careers education is to ensure students leave school, confident and with the relevant skills to make positive post 16 choices in both their education and personal lives. They should be able to maintain good relationships at placements once they leave Oakfield Lodge and have the confidence to aim high.
Students are supported to be ambitious by being given careers advice that links qualifications to specific post 16 pathways and jobs and that encourages them to make the best choice for their future. They will be aware of their strengths and key skills and how to use these qualities to the best of their ability.
Learning Journeys
Essential Skills
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Gatsby Benchmarks
In December 2017 the government released its new careers strategy. This new strategy focuses on children of all ages and aims to connect the worlds of education and employment
The strategy focuses on the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks. By the end of 2020, all schools had to be fully compliant with the 8 areas and to continue to use them as a benchmark for careers standards
All schools are required to have a Careers Leader in place by September 2018. At Oakfield Lodge our Careers Leader is Mrs Rachael Denham – she can be contacted via email on rdenham@oakfieldlodge.cheshire.sch.uk
A key focus of the strategy is to ensure that all young people have meaningful employer encounters. At Oakfield Lodge we fully embrace opportunities for students to have employer experiences, access to work placements, visiting guests from a variety of areas of work and educational visits. This is achieved across all curriculum areas, drop down days and assemblies.
The careers strategy document can be accessed by clicking on the link below;
Since March 2018, we used the Compass Tool to assess our current position against the 8 benchmarks.
We work closely with The Careers and Enterprise Company and our Pledge Enterprise Coordinator to ensure we are meeting each of the Benchmarks. This is reviewed each half term, the latest report can be found here
https://compass.careersandenterprise.co.uk/shared/JgGEL2Va4MisqwKg5dPirlKmBFrfUbhx
| Benchmark | Priority Actions |
| A stable careers programme | A whole school careers policy and action plan will be in place, approved by governors by September 2018. |
| Learning from career and labour market information. | All students and parents will have access to up to date information relative to our geographical area to help our students make informed decisions. |
| Addressing the needs of each pupil. | We will keep systematic records of each students’ experiences of careers and enterprise activities. |
| Linking curriculum learning to careers. | The majority of students (76%) will have meaningful career learning experiences in English, Maths, Science and PSHE lessons. |
| Encounters with employers and employees. | We will continue to provide opportunities for all students to visit different employers and benefit from visiting employees to the school. |
| Experiences of workplaces | All pupils will have had the opportunity of a work based learning opportunity by the end of year 11. |
| Encounters with further and higher education. | All students will have experience of sixth form colleges, training providers and universities by the end of year 11.
All students will have access to information relating to the full range of apprenticeships. |
| Personal guidance | By the end of year 11 all students will have had access to an interview with an impartial careers advisor. |
We have strong links and work closely with;
Changing Education
The Skills and Growth Company
South Cheshire College
Reaseheath College
We have engaged in the following activities;
Visits to South Cheshire Colelge
Visits to Reaseheath College
Visits to Lymm Fire Station
CV writing
Interview practice
Completing post 16 applications
We have had visiting Speakers from;
The NHS
Schools Police Liaison Officer
Job Centre – Schools advisor
Year 10 and 11 Work Experience has included;
Catering and front of house
Building
Child care
Hairdressing
Construction and trade
Equine
Curriculum Intent: Preparation for Adulthood
The term “Preparing for Adulthood” is used to describe the process of moving from childhood into adulthood. All young people should have equal life chances as they move into adulthood.
What are preparing for adulthood outcomes?
We will agree short and long terms outcomes to support the progress of the young person in meeting their educational and career aspirations. These steps must prepare and support them to achieve the preparing for adulthood outcomes:
- Higher Education and/or employment – including exploring different employment options, such as support for becoming self-employed and help from supported employment agencies
- Independent living – this means young people have choice, control and freedom over their lives and the support they have, their accommodation and living arrangements, including supported living
- Participating in society – including having friends and supportive relationships, and participating in, and contributing to, the local community
- Being as healthy as possible in adult life – ensuring access to the right health professionals who understand the young person’s learning difficulties and disabilities.
At present PFA is used as an afternoon activity to help, reward and engage students. This link directly with the schools BFL policy. Ready Respectful, Safe and develops vital skills that they may not have developed as of yet.
The following activities are some examples of activities that are delivered as part of PfA…
Student Destinations
Our aim at Oakfield Lodge is for us to prepare students for their next phase of education. Although some students remain with us until the end of year 11, we move many students every year to their ‘forever school’. Some students are able, after a period of intervention, to return to mainstream others may need an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to enable them to access additional support in mainstream or specialist provisions to be successful.
A key performance indicator for our success are these in year transitions. We work closely with Cheshire East Local Authority and the other alternative provisions in the area to ensure that students are regularly reviewed and in the most appropriate provision for their needs.
In 2023 – 24 we transitioned 21 students to appropriate settings, in addition to the year 11 students who completed their GCSE’s with us.
Student Destinations
| Hotel | Apprenticeship in Housekeeping |
| South Cheshire College | Heath and Social Care Level 2 |
| South Cheshire College | Sports Development |
| Reaseheath College | T Level Plastering |
| South Cheshire College | Sports Coaching |
| Macclesfield College | Animal Care/social care |
| Macclesfield College | Hairdressing |
| Family sourced | Apprenticeship |
| South Cheshire College | Hair and Beauty |
| Macclesfield College | Hair and Beauty |
| Safer Opportunities | Step 16 programme |
| Family Business | Apprenticeship in construction |
| Macclesfield College | Construction |
| South Cheshire College | Multi Skills |
