Careers Education at St Thomas More
Careers Welcome
The careers education and guidance programme at St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy seeks to positively support students to acquire the educational, social and employability skills necessary for lifelong success in a diverse and changing world of work.
Careers Lead: Mr S. Coyle
01298 23167
Work Experience co-ordinator: Mrs F. Goodwin
01298 23167
Work Experience Booklet
Gatsby Benchmarks
St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy is using the Gatsby Benchmarks to improve the careers provision in place and we ensure that all eight benchmarks are be in place.
The Eight Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Careers Guidance:
1 – A stable careers programme
Our school will have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.
2 – Learning from career and labour market information (LMI)
Every student, and their parents, will have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities, that is relevant to our local area, supported by an informed adviser to make best use of available information.
3 – Addressing the needs of each pupil
Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student. Our school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.
4 – Linking curriculum learning to careers
All teachers will link curriculum learning with careers where possible. STEM subject teachers will highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths where lesson opportunities present themselves.
5 – Encounters with employers and employees
Every student will have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace, at least one per year.
6 – Experiences of workplaces
Every student will have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience in Year 10 to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.
7- Encounters with further and higher education
All students will understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace
8 – Personal guidance
Every student will have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career adviser, who is trained at Level 6 or higher, whenever significant study or career choices are being made. These interviews will be expected for all students (when they reach Year 9 onwards) but should be timed to meet their individual needs.
Indigo
Students at St Thomas More use www.indigo.trotman.co.uk to find access to a wide range of careers available to them, labour market information and what qualifications are required.
Labour Market Information
Labour market information tells you about the workplace or labour market. Labour market information describes the condition of the labour market, past and present, as well as future projections. It makes clear where work opportunities are increasing or decreasing, what occupations exist, what you need to study to become a professional in that occupation, what is required to take up an occupation, how one can find a job, change job or progress in a career.
LMI for All brings together existing national sources of high quality labour market information (LMI) that can inform people’s choices about their careers. After successfully completing its pilot stage, LMI for All has been given full project status.
National Labour Market information: January 2021
Explore other websites that present information on the UK labour market
- iCould is a careers website which uses LMI for All to provide context alongside careers videos
How do my subjects link to future careers?
Click here to see careers that use subjects in our curriculum
Careers in Art Careers in Computer Science Careers in Design Technology
Careers in Drama Careers in English Careers in Food & Nutrition
Careers in Geography Careers in History Careers in MFL
Careers in Chemistry Careers in Maths Careers in Music
Careers in Physics Careers in Science Careers in Biology
Post-16 Providers’ Open Day Details 2020-21
Macclesfield College
Thursday 15th October 2020 Virtual Open Evening 5-8pm
Thursday 22nd October 2020 Open Event (appointment needed)
Buxton and Leek College
Click here for the BLC prospectus
Click here for the BLC virtual events poster
Wednesday 14th October 2020 Advice Evening Leek site
Thursday 15th October 2020 Advice Evening Buxton site
Monday 18th January 2021 Advice Evening Leek site
Tuesday 19th January 2021 Advice Evening Buxton site
Wednesday 17th February 2021 Taster Day Buxton site
Aquinas College
Applications are open online from Saturday 26th September 2020 until Monday 30th November 2020
Chesterfield College
Open days to be confirmed. Please check the Chesterfield College website.
Buxton Community School 6th Form
The application form can be accessed here: BCS 6th Form application form
Click here for a taste of BCS 6th Form life! BCS 6th Form life
Lady Manners School 6th Form
Thursday 19th November 2020 Sixth Form Open Evening (format to be confirmed)
Fallibroome Academy
Thursday 14th January 2021 Open Evening (need to pre-book via the Academy website). Click here to see their letter.
Reaseheath College
FE Virtual Open Day Saturday 17th October 2020. Information via the website: Reaseheath Virtual Open Day 2020-21. Applications open Monday 5th October 2020 using the applicants' hub: Reaseheath Applicants Hub
Parents: How can I help my child?
As your child approaches their options, please attend the Y9 Options Evening in February. Once your child is in Y10 they can begin to explore post-16 options, including colleges, apprenticeships and T levels. When your child is in Y11, try to attend as many information evenings from different providers as possible. Check providers' websites for deadlines and details of how to apply.
“The Parent Perspective” is an exciting new 8-part podcast series for parents and carers, helping them to support their children with careers advice and guidance. Use this link: The Parent Perspective
Click here for information on post 16 pathways including T levels
Buxton & Leek College are offering T levels from September 2022. Take a look at their offer here
Click here for information about going to university
Click here for a pdf version of the Careers Policy
Click here for a pdf of the Careers Plan for 2021-22.
Destination Measures
The most recent figures available to us (students who left STM in 2017) show that 96% of students stayed in education or employment for at least two terms after leaving school (national figure 94%). 90% of students remained in education (national figure 87%) of which 54% went to sixth form college, 11% to school sixth form and 25% went to a HE institute for further education.
The school link for careers education is Mr Steve Coyle -
enquiries@st-thomasmore.derbyshire.sch.uk
St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy – Careers Plan – Overview 2021-22
Year7
|
Activity |
Company/Employer Link |
Length of Activity |
Gatsby Benchmark |
Group Size |
PP/SEND Students |
|
Careers during form time – using the Indigo Trotman website, students will investigate various careers, looking at LMI, related skills and qualifications. Students have their own login details, to follow up on these activities at home. |
STM |
15 minutes (20 sessions) |
2,3 (also 5 and/or 7) |
88 |
PP SEND |
|
Employer encounter – STEM activity day (23rd November 2021) to show students what is involved in STEM careers and what skills are required. There is a focus on promoting girls’ involvement in STEM. |
TechWuman |
6 hours |
5 |
88 |
PP SEND |
|
Careers within the curriculum – Subject teachers show how their subjects are essential and support a range of related careers. They use subject presentations within their lessons at appropriate points during November 2021. |
STM |
20 minutes |
4 |
88 |
PP SEND |
Year 8
|
Activity |
Company/Employer Link |
Length of Activity |
Gatsby Benchmark |
Group Size |
PP/SEND Students |
|
Careers during form time – using the Indigo Trotman website, students will investigate various careers, looking at LMI, related skills and qualifications. Students have their own login details, to follow up on these activities at home. |
STM |
15 minutes (20 sessions) |
2, 3 (also 5 and/or 7) |
96 |
PP 13 SEND 19 |
|
Employer encounter – A Young Enterprise activity day allows all students to experience entrepreneurship, through setting up their own business in a day. |
Sam Barrett (Young Enterprise) |
6 hours |
5 |
96 |
PP 13 SEND 19 |
|
Careers interviews - St Thomas More provides independent and impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. Careers interviews enable young people to identify their strengths and be positive about their future work ambitions, so learners can understand the range of opportunities available to them, be able to make decisions about their next steps and know how they can overcome and barriers to transition. As a rule, careers interviews are NOT undertaken in Year 8 but students have access to one under appropriate circumstances. |
St Thomas More Careers Adviser |
50 minutes |
3&8 |
96 |
PP 13 SEND 19 |
Year 9
|
Activity |
Company/Employer Link |
Length of Activity |
Gatsby Benchmark |
Group Size |
PP/SEND Students |
|
Careers during form time – using the Indigo Trotman website, students will investigate various careers, looking at LMI, related skills and qualifications. Students have their own login details, to follow up on these activities at home. |
STM |
15 minutes (20 sessions) |
2, 3 (also 5 and/or 7) |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 9 |
|
Employer encounter – On the drop down day in November 2021, all students will experience visiting presentations from various career backgrounds including the police, health, construction and hospitality. They will gain valuable insights into the skills and qualifications needed to enter these career pathways. |
NHS, Tenneco, The Crescent Hotel, Police |
5 x 1 hour |
5 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 9 |
|
Careers interviews - St Thomas More provides independent and impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. Careers interviews enable young people to identify their strengths and be positive about their future work ambitions, so learners can understand the range of opportunities available to them, be able to make decisions about their next steps and know how they can overcome and barriers to transition. |
St Thomas More Careers Adviser |
50 minutes |
3&8 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 9 |
|
Careers within the curriculum – A visit from the Earth Sciences department at Aquinas. They present on 'Teacher at Sea' work which links into their tectonics module work. It will also give the students an opportunity for them to discuss Geography after GCSE, potential careers and demonstrate the potential students have for Earth Science careers, particularly for women. |
Aquinas |
50 minutes |
4 |
30 |
PP 18 SEND 9 |
|
Careers within the curriculum – Subject teachers show how their subjects are essential and support a range of related careers. They use subject presentations within their lessons at appropriate points to provide informed choices for students re: KS4 options. |
STM |
30 minutes |
4 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 9 |
Year 10
|
Activity |
Company/Employer Link |
Length of Activity |
Gatsby Benchmark |
Group Size |
PP/SEND Students |
|
Careers during form time – using the Indigo Trotman website, students will investigate various careers, looking at LMI, related skills and qualifications. Students have their own login details, to follow up on these activities at home. |
STM |
15 minutes (20 sessions) |
2, 3 (also 5 and/or 7) |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 13 |
|
Employability skills – This session focuses on the key soft skills identified by employers as being essential to career success. There is a separate session on writing a CV. |
Emma Cook (DWP) |
3 hours |
3, 5&8 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 13 |
|
Work experience – All students in Y10 undertake a virtual work experience. This is a beneficial experience for the students to give them an insight into the world of work. |
Springpod |
Various |
5&6 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 13 |
|
Encounters with FE and HE – Presentations on how to get into your top choice university or apprenticeship and also your top choice medical, dental or veterinary school. |
Pixl |
2 hours |
7 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 13 |
|
Careers Interviews – St Thomas More provides independent and impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. Careers interviews enable young people to identify their strengths and be positive about their future work ambitions, so learners can understand the range of opportunities available to them, be able to make decisions about their next steps and know how they can overcome and barriers to transition. |
St Thomas More Careers Adviser |
50 minutes |
3&8 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 13 |
|
Information on post-16 options – An information session for students and parents on the range of options open at age 16, including T levels. |
STM and Claire Poole (BLC) |
1 hour |
3, 7&8 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 13 |
Year 11
|
Activity |
Company/Employer Link |
Length of Activity |
Gatsby Benchmark |
Group Size |
PP/SEND Students |
|
Careers Interviews – St Thomas More provides independent and impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. Careers interviews enable young people to identify their strengths and be positive about their future work ambitions, so learners can understand the range of opportunities available to them, be able to make decisions about their next steps and know how they can overcome and barriers to transition. |
St Thomas More Careers Adviser |
45 minutes |
3&8 |
90 |
PP 12 SEND 9 |
|
Mock Interview – All students in Y11 have a mock interview with the Buxton Rotary Club in March. The interviews centre around their completed CVs. |
Buxton Rotary Club |
20 minutes |
5&8 |
90 |
PP 12 SEND 9 |
|
College Talks – visiting speakers from Macclesfield College, Cheadle & Marple College, Buxton & Leek College, Aquinas 6th Form, Chesterfield College and Buxton Community School, to look at post 16 options, including A levels, T levels and apprenticeships. Parents are also invited to these sessions. |
Various FE providers |
2 hours |
3&7 |
90 |
PP 12 SEND 9 |
|
Careers in form time – using the Indigo Trotman website, students will investigate various careers, looking at LMI, related skills and qualifications. Students have their own login details, to follow up on these activities at home. |
STM |
15 minutes x 20 sessions |
2, 3 (also 5 and/or 7) |
90 |
PP 12 SEND 9 |
|
Careers within the curriculum – Subject teachers show how their subjects are essential and support a range of related careers. They use subject presentations within their lessons at appropriate points. This informs student choices post 16. |
STM |
30 minutes |
4 |
90 |
PP 12 SEND 9 |
|
Information on post-16 options – An information session for students and parents on the range of options open at age 16, including T levels. |
STM and Claire Poole (BLC) |
1 hour |
3, 7&8 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 13 |
|
University visit – All Y11 students have the opportunity to visit Keele University for a taster day, to experience the campus and be informed about courses, finance, accommodation etc. |
Keele University |
1 day |
7 |
90 |
PP 18 SEND 13 |
