Here, at Woolwich Polytechnic our vision is ‘Success for Everyone’ and our desire for our students to have successful careers is driven through our carefully planned careers education. It begins from the moment our students walk through our doors in Year 7 and continues all the way through to Year 13 and beyond via our Alumni.

We are committed to ensuring that all our students have high quality impartial advice on career opportunities, and that they progress onto appropriate sixth forms, Further Education Colleges, apprenticeships, T Levels, or traineeships.

Not only is careers taught during Personal Development, but we also, have a whole host of opportunities to learn from employers and employees from a variety of industries and professions. In addition, we ensure all students have individual guidance tailored to their specific needs and receive information in a variety of ways, such as: work related learning workshops, theatre performances, external business speakers, one to one interviews, transition support – all of which will inspire and inform students along their chosen career pathway.

Ms S. Edwards is the Poly’s Head of Careers and Work Related Learning - sedwards@woolwichpolyboys.co.uk

In addition to the above, each subject area will have other opportunities for students to experience the link between learning in the classroom and earning in the workplace.

The Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys pledge:

All students will be entitled to a Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme that will:

• provide good quality impartial and independent careers advice to students which inspires them and motivates them to fulfil their potential;
• provide personal advice and guidance which is in the best interests of, and meets the needs of, all students;
• be based on the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Careers Guidance;
• contribute to the raising of student achievement by encouraging students to develop high aspirations and consider a broad and ambitious range of careers;
• provide opportunities to work in partnership with employers, training providers, local colleges and others;
• provide opportunities to inspire students through real-life contact with the world of work;
• develop enterprise and employability skills including skills for self-employment;
• support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity;
• encourage students to see career development as a life-long process;
• develop students’ skills and knowledge of careers including career management skills and knowledge of the local labour market (LMI);
• ensure students are aware of the full range of academic and technical routes available at each transition point so that students have the necessary knowledge to make successful transitions;
• provide opportunities for meaningful encounters with employees, employers, further and higher education and experience of workplaces;
• support social mobility by improving opportunities for all students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and disabilities.
• be weaved and embedded into subjects across the curriculum.

Careers as Personal Development

Every year pupils undertake a course on Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). This is part of our new theme-based weekly PD lessons which involves Careers Education, Work Experience, Citizenship, PSHEE and Enterprise. During curriculum lessons teachers, being aware of Gatsby Benchmark 4, are constantly demonstrating to students of the relationship between their subject and the world of work, linking curriculum learning to potential career earning.

The 3 main focusses in careers have always been;

• Self-Development – Knowing what you are good at? How can you improve?
• Career Exploration - Knowing what jobs are out there? What’s new? What’s Old?
• Career Management – Earning the right qualifications, Am I CV and Interview ready?

The 3 cornerstones to a successful career!

Extra Curricular

1. Theatre Groups are used to give students all important information in a fun and engaging way.  We specifically use them for Year 9 options, introducing Work Experience and interview skills.
    
2. STEM Workshops:  A student who is good at ‘Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’ are highly desires by employers. Which is why company’s such as Workshop Open City are happy to run design and architecture workshops every year here at The Poly. Berkeley Group Construction also have a long running relationship with the Poly, students visiting sites seeing just foundations to million pound properties.
    
3. Careers Fairs:  On the calendar is visiting the careers Fair at Excel ‘Skills London The UK’s Largest Job and Careers event.
   The Poly also holds 2 careers fairs on site one at the Boys Schools and our students have access to the Girls School Careers Fair.
    
4. Careers trips:  A number of opportunities will arise throughout each academic year to participate in educational visits linked to careers and further or higher education.  For example, some students have visited a construction site to look at the different stages of construction and the different types of jobs from civil engineering to Site Health and Safety.  Other students have attended Barclays Bank in Central London to attend a leadership skills and presentation skills workshop delivered by professional from the bank.  The prestigious stage school, Rose Bruford worked with some students on how to work a theatre lighting rig, as well as how to design theatrical lighting effects.  Some students were lucky enough to spend time with an Artificial Intelligence Scientist from Imperial College. 

Careers Policies are included on the Schools Website Policy page in accordance to the Gatsby Benchmarks

Virtual Careers Library

• www.morrisby.com This is the schools Careers Online Software. If you haven’t already students at Woolwich Poly can self-register use the code: MC63B978 
• National Careers Service
• Find an Apprenticeship
• How to apply to University
• Careers In Construction Industry
• Engineering Pathways
• Healthcare Professions
• Careers Coach
• Local Market Information
• iCould

How do we evaluate?

Woolwich Poly works towards achieving the Gatsby Benchmarks, is evaluated using the online Compass tool. This is carried out on an annual basis by the Careers Leader. The CEIAG development plan is based upon the outcomes of the Compass audit.

Provision is monitored through regular feedback from students, parents/carers, staff, governors and employers. This feedback is collected after each event throughout the year and is recorded on an evaluation report. This is analysed by the Careers Leader and necessary improvements are put in place for the next academic year. Key action points are also included in the annual CEIAG development plan where required.

The effectiveness of our careers guidance will be reflected in all students progressing to positive Post 16 and 18 destinations (e.g. apprenticeships including degree apprenticeships, technical courses, sixth form colleges, further education colleges, GAP year or employment. Destination data is used to assess how successfully students make the transition into the next stage of education or training, or into employment and to inform future CEIAG provision. This is analysed by the Careers Leader with key trends and actions fed back to SLT and Governors. A designated governor has responsibility for overseeing the quality of careers guidance.

The CEIAG policy is reviewed on an annual basis by the Careers Leader along with the Head Teacher and Governors.