Careers & Work Related Learning at Madeley

All of our students have the right to access free and impartial Careers Education  Information and Guidance (CEIAG) as well as the opportunity to gain experience of the world of work. This entitlement is delivered through discreet Careers sessions throughout their life at Madeley, starting in Year 7. The Careers Education, Information and Guidance we provide for our students is further enhanced in subject lessons through work related learning. 

We work in conjunction with Beverley Ashley from the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Careers Hub and the  Careers and Enterprise Company and are active members of the Northern Careers Hub, working towards the achievement of the Gatsby Benchmarks as a standard for the delivery of quality CEIAG at our school.  Through the CEC we have a linked employer, Darren Birt who is a partner at RSM Consulting.

We work with our careers education partners “Changing Education” who support our work experience programme in Y10 and provide us with a Careers Advisor, John Knight who is in school one per week to give impartial careers advise to our Y10 and Y11 pupils. All our pupils do work experience in Y10 and all pupils will have at least one careers interview in Y11.

The school has an ongoing commitment to CEIAG development.  The careers framework below highlights the planned career activities for the pupils of Madeley Schoo.  The CEIAG programme is delivered in distinct blocks as part of the Personal Development programme and as an ongoing commitment from all staff to embed careers across the curriculum with time appropriate employer engagement activities in lessons and as stand alone events.  The link below shows the PD programme for the year 2023-24.

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Careers Information and Guidance Team

Mr R Mcmeeken- Leader of CIAG and Work Related Learning at Madeley School Mr Mcmeeken is the Director for Careers Information and Guidance and Work Related Learning. He is responsible for designing the Careers curriculum for all students at Madeley School.

Tel: 01782 987800
Email: robert.mcmeeken@madeley.set.org

Mr J Knight - Careers Adviser
Mr Knight is our Careers Adviser from Changing Education.  He is in school one day per week to offer individual careers advice and guidance to students.  Mr Knight meets with all pupils in Y10 and 11 to assist with applications and give impartial careers advice. 

Miss E Leese – Designated CIAG Support Staff
Miss Leese supports all the staff above and liaises with external agencies, pupils and staff on their behalf.  Appointments with the staff above can be made through Miss Leese by calling the main office on 01782 987800 or by email: emma.leese@madeley.set.org 

Changing Education
Madeley School use a Careers Information and Guidance (CIAG provider) called Changing Education for work experience placements and CIAG interviews.

Work Experience Placements

Year 10 students will complete a week long work experience placement at the end of Year 10. There is a lead up programme prior to the placement to help pupils develop the key employability skills required to be successful at their chosen workplace.

Personal Development

Year 7 - 11 Personal Development lessons include a comprehensive CIAG/work related learning unit to support pupils with their chosen career paths.

Key Stage 3

In Year 7-9 sessions involve learning about self-awareness, with pupils finding out about themselves and their strengths and weaknesses. This helps them to understand how their working life and the choices they make will fundamentally affect their future. Pupils are introduced to Careers resources and have experience of using Kudos (a guidance software program). Guest speakers from local colleges visit the school to inform pupils about the study routes available to them.

Key Stage 4

Work Related Learning sessions continue at GCSE with lessons that are designed to deliver quality education and guidance to students and to prepare them the world of work. Topics covered include the construction of CVs, personal statements, letters of application and interview skills.

Form Tutors

For many, the first point of contact will be the pupil’s form tutor who can refer them to a member of the CIAG and Work Related Learning team.

Subject Teachers

Work related learning lessons have been embedded into the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and 4.

Choosing what to study?

This takes careful consideration and research. Consider the subjects that you are strong in, that keep your interest and that you enjoy. Do you have a particular career idea in mind? Some careers require specific subjects to be studied. Are you thinking of continuing your studies at University?

There are plenty of sources of help available for your research:

Post-16 School and Colleges

There are a number of local schools and colleges which will offer a wide range of courses and provision such as A Levels, Apprenticeships and work-related (vocational) studies.

You will find prospectuses for many of the colleges online. Look at the school and colleges’ websites for further details on what they offer, and for details of their open days and application process.


Traineeships and Apprenticeships

A Traineeship is an introduction-level programme that combines a work placement with training, it helps to prepare young people for the world of work and supports with English and Mathematics if required. A Traineeship can last up to 6 months.

Apprenticeships are available at Intermediate, Advanced and Higher/Degree levels, and are available in a wide range of employment sectors. The length of time that it takes to complete is dependent on the level and occupation. All Apprenticeships are real jobs so you earn a salary, at the minimum the national Apprenticeship wage but many employers pay significantly more. Hence the tagline “earn whilst you learn”.

All Apprenticeship opportunities must be advertised on the national Apprenticeships website. You must be registered on this site to apply. It is advised that you monitor the website regularly, but remember you cannot start an Apprenticeship until you reach the compulsory education leaving date, after the last Friday in June.

Training Providers

Staffordshire has a host of Training Providers, covering a wide range of occupational areas. A Training Provider links with employers to provide a work based learning opportunity.

Some Training Providers also offer specialist programmes for young people who require extra support to progress onto course of study or Apprenticeship.

Employment

You can enter employment, however because of the changes in Raising the Participation Age (RPA) you cannot take a job that does not have recognized accredited training as you need to continue in learning until the age of 18.

What do the different levels of study mean?

Confused about study options and levels?

  • Level 1 – GCSEs at band 4 and below
  • Level 2 – 5 or more GCSEs at band D and above
  • Level 3 – A Levels, AS Levels, BTEC Level 3

For more information of the full range of qualifications and their levels visit National Careers Service.

What are my Post Year 13 options?

University

Many pupils will consider University as a natural progression from their level 3 studies. The UCAS website is a superb source of information.

Higher/Degree Apprenticeship

An alternative to University, these Higher Level Apprenticeships are advertised on the national Apprenticeship website.

Useful Websites

General Careers Advice

Career Stimulation & Ideas

Apprenticeships

Employment & Volunteering

 

Higher Education

CEIAG/WRL Information - Updated by R McMeeken (February 2024)