Telephone: 01202 876 556
office@fernmid.dorset.sch.uk
Ferndown Middle School
Peter Grant Way Ferndown Dorset BH22 9UP

Careers

Everyone wants to create a stronger, fairer society in which people from all backgrounds can realise their potential. A thriving careers programme, that is accessible to all, is fundamental to this. The recently introduced careers strategy; Making the Most of Everyone’s Skills and Talents aims to support everyone, to go as far as their talents will take them. We want everyone to be able to build a rewarding career.

The careers plan at Ferndown Middle School sets out how the school intends to provide a careers programme, which will provide all pupils with the knowledge, inspiration and ability to take ownership of their own career plans. It aims to challenge perceptions and raise aspirations so that subject choices and career choices are free from gender bias. The plan should encourage pupils to look beyond their current environment and to help pupils investigate new and exciting career possibilities. Parents will also be informed about careers through a termly newsletter.

Statement of Entitlement
As a pupil at Ferndown Middle School you are entitled to receive a programme of careers education, advice, information and guidance.

The careers plan will help you to:

  • Understand how your skills, knowledge and interests can be used in the workplace.
  • Continue to develop the skills needed for working life
  • Understand the different education and careers options that are available to you
  • Understand how to apply for a job and to consider the attributes and qualities employers may look for
  • Develop a plan of action for future; making sure you understand the qualifications and skills you made need to follow those aspirations.

Year 7 Entitlement

  • Pupils are encouraged to identify personal traits, strengths and skills; to develop self-confidence and to have a positive outlook, setting themselves high expectations.
  • Looking at longer term goals and then looking at the smaller steps needed to reach that goal. For example: working hard for a test now will help them reach a longer career goal.
  • All Year 7 pupils will have at least one meaningful employer interaction. This may be a virtual meeting given the current covid-19 restrictions.
  • Subject staff will talk about careers in their field of expertise and explain to the pupils how access up-to-date career and labour market information.
  • All Year 7 pupils will spend some time working alongside Bournemouth University completing a STEM challenge. (This will depend on current Covid-19 guidance)
  • Assembly event promoting the NHS and career options.
  • Registration time will be used to promote careers. There is a series of 6 career related tutor time activities.
  • ASK apprenticeship scheme and project work.
  • Every pupil will have access to Xello, which will provide individually tailored career guidance as well as tracking each pupil’s progress. Access to Xello is available for every pupil to use both in school and at home from any mobile device.


Year 8 Entitlement

  • Pupils are encouraged to look at their personal strengths and skills and how these may help them to achieve their career goal.
  • Pupils will research a choice of career in order to understand what the requirements to achieve their career goal would be.
  • Pupils are taught how to write a simple CV, updating the CV every half term. Individuals are then encouraged to look at actions they may need to take to improve their employability.
  • All pupils will play the How Do I Get A Job game; to help them understand appropriate behaviours for the world of work.
  • Subject staff will talk about careers in their field of expertise and explain to the pupils how to find out more.
  • All Year 8 pupils will have at least one meaningful employer interaction. (This will depend on current Covid-19 guidance and could be virtual).
  • All Year 8 pupils will spend time working alongside Bournemouth University completing a STEM challenge. (This will depend on current Covid-19 guidance).
  • Every pupil will have access to Xello, which will provide individually tailored career guidance as well as tracking each pupil’s progress. Access to Xello is available for every pupil to use both in school and at home from any mobile device.
  • All Year 8 pupils will have the opportunity to discuss their dreams and possible careers at an event organised by Ferndown Upper School.
  • Assembly event promoting careers in the NHS
  • ASK apprenticeship scheme assembly and project work completed with tutors.

Careers Entitlements beyond Ferndown Middle School

The Ferndown Middle School careers programme will enable every pupil to start planning for their future careers which will be built upon during the next steps of their educational journeys.  In line with the government’s careers strategy, from Year 9 our pupils will be entitled to:

  • Further encounters with employers
  • Experiences of workplaces
  • Explore post-16 options
  • Personal careers guidance.

See how Ferndown Upper School continues the careers education started at Ferndown Middle School please click on this link.

https://fernup.dorset.sch.uk/information/careers-programme/


KS3 Careers Software: Xello
FMS have purchased, with support from a Business Enterprise Funding Grant, some new careers software for KS3 pupils called Xello. This software asks the pupils about interests, personality and learning style and then suggests possible career choices. Once a career is selected the pupil can investigate the skills, qualifications and possible experience required.

Even better this software will work on any computer, tablet or mobile phone. All your child will need are the log in details which will be sent to them via Satchel One. Below is an introductory letter explaining the software. We would encourage you to explore this software with your child. It can be used at any time; it is not for exclusive use in lessons.

Careers Newsletters
Careers Newsletter FMS 2023 Autumn

Career Insights
Career Insights is a free video library source that allows users to search careers they may be interested in and listen first hand to real professionals talk about their journey into that job.

Each video covers what they studied at school, their transitions from school to further education and into working life. What qualifications and skills are needed for their jobs, what a typical day looks like and advice for someone wanting to pursue a similar career.

https://career-insights.co.uk/video-library

Apprenticeships
Although the year 8 pupils may seem a long way from leaving school, it is never too early to look at options available. Each month a newsletter is published from Amazing Apprenticeships keeping parents up to date about available apprenticeships and the choices available. This may be useful if you have older children too. The newsletter can be seen on the school website under careers.

Amazing-Apprenticeship – Women at Work – Case Study Booklet

Amazing Apprenticeships – Men at Work – Case Study Booklet

Evaluation and Support
The careers programme will be regularly reviewed with input from both teachers and pupils.  We would also welcome any feedback from parents and carers on any aspect of the careers programme and will be able to direct them towards sources of further careers information.

Should any parents, guardians, further education, universities or local employers be willing to help support the careers programme with their real-life experiences, please register your interest with Mrs Baynham using the school contact details.

Careers Guidance Policy Nov 2023