Careers and Work Related Learning

Pupils at Orchardside School engage in a programme of Careers Education, Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) from Year 7 to Year 11. This reflects the Gatsby benchmarks.

At Orchardside School, the Strategic Lead responsible for Careers is the Deputy Head teacher, who is supported by the Work Related Learning Coordinator, Lianne Raymond, who plans and co-ordinates the careers offer at Orchardside. The Governor responsible for Careers is Ms Sarah Carrington.

KS3 (Year 7,8 & 9)

Our KS3 careers programme includes some of the following:

• Enrichment days
• Residential trip to Jamie’s Farm in Hereford      
• Subject specific trips    
• Attending Essex Outdoors
• Half termly career focussed assemblies
• Careers Fair
• Team building activities
• Year 9 options talk

In year 9, there is a big focus on preparing students for KS4 and which subjects they wish to pick. This takes place in the summer term.

KS4 (Year 10 & 11)

Our KS4 careers programme includes some of the following:

• 2-week work experience placement in the summer term for year 10 students
• Fortnightly meetings with our school careers adviser to create action plans, apply for colleges/apprenticeships and create CVs. Parents are also welcome to come along and meet the careers adviser for any questions they may have on the next steps
• Extended work placements personalised to student’s needs
• Careers Planning lessons one day per week (year 11 Students)
• Raising Achievement evening in December/Careers Fair
• Residential trip to Jamie’s Farm in Hereford
• Curriculum based trips
• Enrichment days
• Visits to various colleges/universities
• Guest speakers
• Mock interviews with school Governors
• Half termly career focussesd assemblies
• The Diana Mentoring Programme (year 10's)
• Aspire Higher Programme (Year 11's)