Downend Careers Information
At Downend School, high quality, impartial careers guidance helps students to make informed choices about which courses suit their academic needs and aspirations. This starts in Year 7, and supports students through to leaving us in Year 11 or Year 13 by preparing them for the next stage of their education, training or employment. Students will take part in a planned programme of careers education, including events and activities which will enable them to research jobs and the labour market, experience career pathways as well as research and make decisions at key progression points. The programme is designed in accordance with the recommended Gatsby Benchmarks and is reviewed and evaluated each academic year.
Career Leads
Emma Merryweather - email Emma.Merryweather@cset.co.uk
James Smale - email James.Smale@cset.co.uk
Our Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) embodies the Downend PRIDE Values, to ensure that students make appropriate choices and have the best opportunities for their future.
Participation - Our careers programme is inclusive, and engages students at all stages of their educational journey. Ourcan communicate effectively in any environment. They are both leaders and team players and will interact effectively with team members to make a positive contribution
Respect - Through our careers programme students work with a range of professionals which helps them to develop their interpersonal skills including integrity, an open mind and the skills to be thoughtful, considerate and well mannered.
Identity - Our career programme affords students the opportunity to explore their role in the community and a career path that is challenging, optimistic and enables them to embrace new ideas and change.
Determination - Through our career programme our students are given the scope to be enterprising and are encouraged to grasp opportunities that they are presented with. This encourages enthusiasm, determination and self motivation.
Excellence -Through our career programme students are encouraged to be curious, ambitious and to think on their feet in a range of activities and opportunities. They are prepared to stand as first amongst equals and to achieve their potential.
Work Experience
For a Parents / Carers guide to work experience, please click on the below link
PARENT_CARER_WEx_Guide_2024/25
Please click on the below link for the Parent / Carers work experience timeline.
Please click on the below link to view the Y10 Work experience presentation
PARENT_CARER_WEx_Presentation_2024/25
Your Role as Partners in CEIAG
Unifrog
Provider Access Legislation - (PAL)
The Provider Access Legislation states that from the 1st January 2023 all schools must provide at least six encounters with a provider of technical education or apprenticeships for students in years 8 to 13. The Provider Access Legislation aims to help learners understand and apply for both apprenticeships and a broad range of technical education options including t-levels.This is split into different key phases of learning and looks like the following;
- A minimum of two meaningful encounters during the first key phase (years 8 or 9), where attendance is mandatory.
- A minimum of two meaningful encounters during the second key phase (years 10 and 11), where attendance is mandatory.
- A further two meaningful encounters across years 12 and/or 13.
If you are an education provider or an employer and you would like to talk to our pupils please contact our Heads of Careers James Smale and Emma Merryweather via email at james.smale@cset.co.uk or emma.merryweather@cset.co.uk
LMI
Labour Market Information is essential information about employment markets used to make decisions about career opportunities and pathways. Use these tools to look up average salaries and labour market information to help research career and course choices.