Careers

The careers programme at Infiniti School is underpinned by the belief that good career guidance can have a profound impact on social mobility, as it ensures that each and every young person, whatever their needs, background or ambitions, knows the options open to them to fulfil their potential. Excellent careers guidance makes sure there is equality of opportunity and that it unlocks potential and transforms outcomes for people of all ages and we believe that giving students the best careers education and guidance is vital to improving their motivation to learn and help them to achieve.

New research, entitled ‘Motivated to achieve’ shows that participation in career talks with volunteers from the world of work can change the attitudes of Key Stage 4 pupils to their education and can influence their future plans and subject choices, motivate them to study harder and supports an improvement in academic attainment. With this in mind, strong links have been forged with local employers, colleges and universities, who work with us to deliver a programme which helps our pupils and their parents to make informed decisions about subject choices and future career pathways, ensures students have encounters with the world of work and learn the skills that are needed to be successful in the workplace.

In line with guidance and using the eight Gatsby Benchmarks shown further below, our careers policy at Infiniti School aims to support students:

· to understand their options and different paths to work, to plan the steps they need to take, and to get from where they are to where they want to go, whilst encouraging them to understand that career development and planning is a lifelong journey;

· to be inspired about new opportunities they might not have known about (or that might not exist yet), or thought they could not achieve;

· to understand the importance of labour market information (LMI) and to investigate what 'jobs of the future' may look like and what skills will be needed for these jobs;

· in making well-informed decisions by providing access to differentiated, impartial and independent advice, information and guidance about the range of options (including academic, vocational, apprenticeships) that are most likely to help them to achieve their ambitions;

· to develop an awareness of their individual strengths, weaknesses, skills and aptitudes and how these link to possible careers, future education and training. Have an understanding of the key elements of their personality and understand that building an accurate self-image can guide successful career choices which can improve their well-being through doing a job they are good at and enjoy;

· to help them identify, build on and evidence the key employability skills – the core skills that will make them effective in the workplace; listening, presenting, problem solving, creativity, staying possitive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork.

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

· Careers Information – including learning options, skills, occupations, labour market information (LMI) and progression routes

· Careers Advice and Guidance - personalised help when required from advisers to identify long-term goals and plan steps to attain them

· Careers Education - gives students the knowledge and skills for planning and managing their careers

· Work-related learning – experiences within and outside of the curriculum which help students learn about economic well-being, careers and enterprise

· Development of Employability Skills - realistic and meaningful opportunities for development of employability skills

  Support for parents/carers

Ensuring your children are set up for a successful career, future financial security and a good quality of life is a pressing challenge for every parent. As parents, your children will look to you for advice and guidance even if they don’t like to admit it! Parents have a key role to play in the decision-making and the general career path children choose to pursue; but how involved should you be in this decision-making process?

Further information and advice can be found on various websites including: Mid Kent College, NI Direct , The Guardian , Careers Advice for Parents, National Careers Service, LMI for All, Future Morph for STEM Careers, CCS Skills for Creative Careers, Health Careers, Career Pilot for other sectors and Sutton’s Apprenticeship Hub. You may also find some useful information on the PWC Employability Hub.

For further information on the support available for our students and their parents at Infiniti School please contact Bill Jones - Careers Leader.