At College Park School, our Post-16 Provision provides a personalised, ambitious and inclusive curriculum that prepares young people for successful and fulfilling adult lives. We recognise that every student has unique strengths, interests and aspirations, and we are committed to ensuring that each learner develops the skills, confidence and independence needed to achieve their potential.

Our intent is to provide a curriculum that equips students with the knowledge, skills and experiences required to make informed choices about their future and to participate as active members of their communities. Through a person-centred approach, we support students to develop independence, resilience, self-advocacy and confidence while preparing for the opportunities and challenges of adult life.

Our curriculum is centred on key areas of Preparation for Adulthood: employment, independent living, community inclusion, and health and wellbeing. Students engage in a broad range of learning experiences that develop communication, functional literacy and numeracy, personal and social skills, independence and emotional wellbeing. 

Learning streams are tailored to individual needs, strengths and aspirations, enabling every student to make meaningful progress towards their long-term goals.

Careers education is a key element of our Post-16 curriculum and is delivered through a programme aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance. We are committed to providing students with meaningful opportunities to explore the world of work, understand their options and make informed decisions about their future.

Through our careers programme, students benefit from:

•  A stable and progressive careers programme that supports long-term aspirations.
• Careers learning tailored to individual strengths, interests and needs.
• Clear links between curriculum learning and future career pathways.
• Meaningful encounters with employers, employees and workplace professionals.
• Experiences of workplaces through visits, enterprise activities, work-related learning and work experience opportunities where appropriate.
• Encounters with further education providers, colleges, training organisations and supported employment services.

Implementation of our curriculum is achieved through carefully planned learning experiences, community-based opportunities, employer engagement, practical life-skills development and close collaboration with families and external agencies. We work in partnership with colleges, employers, and support services to ensure that each student is well prepared for their next steps.

The impact of our Post-16 Provision is seen in the progress students make towards greater independence, confidence and self-determination. Students leave College Park School with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to access further education, employment, training, supported internships or adult services, enabling them to lead meaningful and rewarding lives.

At College Park School, we are committed to ensuring that every young person is supported to belong, thrive and achieve. Through our Preparation for Adulthood curriculum, Gatsby-aligned careers programme and personalised learning streams students develop the confidence, independence and skills needed to navigate the next stage of their journey. We celebrate each individual’s strengths and achievements, empowering them to make a positive contribution to their communities and to move forward into adulthood with confidence, purpose and aspiration.

 

Careers Roles:

Head of Careers, Simon Bennett s.bennett@qe2cp.westminster.sch.uk

Careers Leader: 

Governor for careers: Carole Melson

 

The Careers programme at College Park School:

At College Park School, we are committed to providing all our students from years 8 to 19 with a comprehensive programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), alongside meaningful work-related learning opportunities to prepare them for adulthood and future employment.

Work-related learning consists of workplace encounters, including employer visits, work experience placements and workshops delivered by external professionals, as well as careers learning embedded throughout the curriculum. We work in partnership with a range of employers and organisations, including Hilton Hotels, Planet Organic and Project Choice/NHS, and regularly invite organisations, community groups and specialist freelancers to deliver workshops that enhance the careers education provided through our Life Skills curriculum. Young people are also supported to explore a range of post-16 pathways, including Further Education (FE), Supported Internships, apprenticeships and supported employment.

To develop employability skills in meaningful contexts, students participate in a range of school-based and community-based vocational programmes. These include running the school café and library and taking part in supported volunteering opportunities both in school and within the local community. Students engage in mini-enterprise activities, designing, making and selling products, e.g. crafts created for fundraising events, which allow to develop teamwork, customer service, money management and communication skills.

Our careers programme is further enhanced through project-based learning, where students create digital media that develop creativity, problem-solving and digital literacy. Where appropriate, students can work towards recognised accreditation through the ASDAN Personal and Social Development (PSD) qualification, enabling them to gain evidence of their employability, personal and independent living skills.

Invite a speaker:

Contact for booking a career speaker: https://londoncareerscentral.co.uk/contact/

Central London Careers Hub to contact career leads speakers /focus on general employment pathways

Westminster Employment Service (WES): WES coordinates with education partners to facilitate workshops, work experience, and mentoring opportunities designed to connect young people with the local workforce.

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/sites/default/files/wes-brochure.pdf

 

Career Education

For an overview of how careers related learning is delivered at College Park School, please see our Learning for Work pathways by using this  link:* 

KS3/KS4: students will create Careers Passports that record all encounters with employers, the work place and any work experience gained; as well as evaluations of such along with evidence of classroom-based careers learning.

Students following the formal curriculum may work towards gaining GCSEs; Functional Skills exams Entry Level 1, 2, and 3 in Maths and English; Arts Award – Bronze. They also have the opportunity to acquire functional skills accreditations or qualifications e.g. ASDAN, OCR Life Skills.

KS5 Post 16+: Careers Passports will be maintained throughout Post 16+ in order to build a portfolio that demonstrates and evidences students’ career education and workplace skills acquired; with the intention of forming a CV.

A semi-formal curriculum is followed in our Post 16+ provision. Students may work towards taking Functional Skills exams Entry Level 1, 2, and 3 in Maths and English; Arts Awards - Discover and Explore ; functional skills accreditations or qualifications e.g. ASDAN, OCR Life Skills.

As part of their Life Skills lessons students will practice basic interview skills with the SaLT team; learn to complete application forms or to communicate their personal information.

Career Guidance

KS3: all students in Year 8 and their families will have a 1:1 meeting with an independent Careers Adviser. This is to prepare for setting outcomes for adulthood in Year 9 Annual Reviews, which will include specific targets related to future careers.

KS4: all students will have a 1:1 meeting with an Independent Careers Adviser in preparation for Post-16 and Post-18 decisions.

The Career Information, Advice or Guidance given is independent and impartial. The focus is on the choices, qualifications and options for when students leave College Park School.

College and Supported Internship Visits: students will have the opportunity to visit different colleges/supported internships and take part in taster sessions.

Meetings re college and Post 16: all parents and students will meet with Head of Careers to help with their post-16 and post-18 choices and applications.

Transition: students will work with the Head of Careers, Careers Leader, class tutors and SaLT team to prepare for their move to their placement beyond College Park School. This is supported by opportunities for weekly sessions at their setting of choice throughout the spring or summer term.

Work Experience
Work Experience takes place in Gold Class and Post 16+ (KS4/KS5). We are working with Project Choice and a range of local businesses and organisations to try and find placements that are linked to the future aspirations and interests of the individual student.  More detailed information will be shared with pupils and their families when placements have been found.

Parents/Carers
Parent and carers are encouraged to play an active part in supporting their child in making decisions around their future careers. Here at College Park the aim is to help families understand what career options are possible, with the right support, for their son/daughter. 

Parents and carers are always welcome to contact the Head of Careers, Simon Bennett: s.bennett@qe2cp.westminster.sch.uk or Careers Leader to seek advice and ask any questions they might have regarding careers pathways. They can be contacted on the school phone number 0207 221 3454.

The School will assess the impact of its careers programmes on students by completing an annual student survey and analysing destinations data in line with activities that they have taken part in at school. In addition, the views of students and parents will be surveyed after key events e.g. the Careers Assembly, Careers Week. 

Useful links

Westminster Kingsway College

Kennet West

Supported internships 

National Careers Service – a comprehensive careers website with job profiles, outlining: the skills required, main tasks, pay levels and career prospects for hundreds of different jobs. In addition, valuable guidance on the different stages involved in getting a job. 

 

***If you would like a printed version of this information or any of the documents linked below, please contact the school office 0207 221 3454/admin@qe2cp.westminster.sch.uk