0191 499 0111
About
About
At St. Thomas More School our ambitious career programme is tailored to:
- Help develop our students’ knowledge of career and further education opportunities available to them,
- Help them to develop employability skills
- Raise their aspirations and ambitions to achieve their future goals.
As a school we aim to achieve all of the Gatsby benchmarks. Please see below how we do this:
| Gatsby Benchmark | Implementation |
| 1. A Stable Careers Programme | ● Planned ‘age appropriate’ Careers lessons within the ‘Wider Curriculum’ programme for all year groups. ● Lessons that address the crucial learning objectives for each year group that ensures pupils have knowledge of and are prepared for future education and career choices. ● A careers curriculum that is planned in collaboration between the careers coordinator, wonder curriculum lead and AHT leading on PD. |
| 2. Learning from career and labour market information | ● Pupils from Year 7 -13 have access to training/information/webinars via Unifrog, Globalbridge and external providers. ● Opportunities available on different jobs/apprenticeships/university schemes are promoted via our KS4 & 5 Google classrooms. ● We mark National Careers Week in March 2024 and National Apprenticeships Week in February 2024. ● We invite businesses, employers, apprenticeship providers and further education establishments into school to widen our pupils’ knowledge of what is available. |
| 3. Addressing the needs of each pupil | ● Every pupil has access to unifrog to log all activities and events related to careers and aspirations. ● Pupils are provided with a range of lessons, webinars and bespoke support from our careers coordinator in school. ● Pupils in sixth form have extra support and guidance for students throughout the UCAS application process and apprenticeship routes by the sixth form team. ● We use data and information kept on every pupil group to track destinations and to ensure each pupil is receiving the guidance they need.Extra interviews and arranged if appropriate for any pupil who may be disadvantaged in any way, as part of our PP Pledge. ● Pupils in Year 12 have the chance to undertake an EPQ course mentored by teachers. ● We are developing our Sixth form leadership Programme to ensure that every pupil has the chance to develop the wider skills required in the workplace. Focusing on leadership skills and positive work ethic and learner attribute qualities. |
| 4. Linking Careers curriculum to learning | ● Departments promote careers within their curriculum areas signposting future next steps. ● Subject teachers link with businesses and providers hosting events in school to enthuse pupils about careers in that subject. ● Subject leaders advise pupils on further education options such as University courses and Apprenticeships. ● Pupils undertake work placements as part of vocational subjects. |
| 5. Encounters with employers and employees | ● Pupils have regular talks from employers/employees/representatives of career pathways for Year 11/Sixth Form. ● Access to training/information/webinars via unifrog from Year 7-13. ● Employers are invited into school to speak with pupils during careers week to further their Horizons, and as part of encounters within the curriculum from Year 8-13. ● Alumni pupils come into school to describe their employment experiences to pupils. ● Access to Careers Fairs. |
| 6. Experiences of workplaces | ● All Year 10 and Year 12 students will have work experience opportunities. ● We have links with local businesses in order to broaden pupils’ experiences of the workplace. |
| 7. Encounters with further and higher education | ● Access to training/information/webinars via unifrog for Sixth Form. ● Regular University talks form University Outreach/ Apprenticeship talks. ● Universities deliver talks to give advice on UCAS process and personal statements. ● Staff training on UCAS reference writing has been delivered to all staff. ● Attendance of Colleges/Universities at careers fairs. |
| 8. Personal guidance | ● We have our own Careers coordinator who provides personal guidance to pupils in Year 11, 12 and 13. ● Access to information and guidance on Unifrog for Sixth Form. ● We have Ask Apprenticeships workshops (CVs/Interviews/Apprenticeships). ● We hold a Sixth form Open Evening ● Helping your child in Year 12 and 13 evenings. We hold a Sixth Form transition day in Summer 2024. ● Each year 11 student has information and advice with SLT/Pastoral to discuss post-16 options. ● EHCP students- Transition plans are discussed with Connexions, SEND Caseworkers, parents and the student. ● Students are informed about the National Careers Service also. |
The careers programme at St Thomas More School is reviewed annually at the beginning of each academic year in September to ensure the information, advice and guidance is up to date and appropriate for our students.
Your Careers Coordinator is Erin Phillips
0191 499 0111
St Thomas More Catholic School
Croftdale Road, Blaydon, Tyne & Wear, NE21 4BQ
Legal
Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust is an exempt charity. It is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under company registration number 07890590. The registered office address is Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education HQ, Barmston Court, Turbine Business Park, Nissan Way, Washington, SR5 3NY.
Copyright © 2025 Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust