Careers
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)
Preparing our students and your children for the future is a huge part of what school is about. We want students to leave Kingdown School being inspired to pursue further education/training or roles that are fit and right for them through being informed about a wide range of options available to them.
We do this through Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) services offered to students, including the activities and learning taking place in each Key Stage. This programme is reviewed annually to ensure it's current and provides the best guidance for our students.
If you have any questions about our CEIAG, please contact Miss C Knight (Careers Lead)
Email: cxk@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk
Tel: 01985 215551 ext 349
Careers in the Personal Development Curriculum
Throughout their five-seven years at Kingdown School, students partake in Personal Development lessons which consist of a mixture of statutory Religious Education, PSHE, Career Information and Guidance and Citizenship. Through all of these combined, students should be able to leave Kingdown School knowing their next steps and being prepared for them too, whatever they may be.
Career Guidance Meetings
We have in house careers guidance through our Careers Lead who is full time in school. Having this resource means that the careers programme is well-round and relevant for our current students. Events and visitors are able to be specific for the needs of the students. Year 11 and 12 students will be assigned one-to-one careers sessions during the academic year, with year 9s and 7s receiving group sessions to discuss options and raising aspirations.
Making A Career Guidance Meeting Appointment
All students are welcome to access 1-2-1 guidance by booking an appointment to see Miss Knight (Careers Advisor). These meetings allow the student to discuss and have support with Apprenticeships, University, Decision making, Career planning and more. Students should simply send an email to Miss Knight (cxk@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk) to arrange this. Please keep in mind that including a specific and brief note in your email about what you want help with, i.e. 'University courses', or 'further information on Apprenticeships', would allow you to make the most of your appointment. Miss Knight will also be available for drop in’s (no appointment needed) during tutor times or break.
Drop Down Days
Each year group throughout their time at Kingdown will have at least one day off timetable to support their education and understanding around Careers, PHSE, Citizenship and Safety. Great examples of this include events and activities such as the Kingdown Careers Fair, Mock Interview Days and visits to Apprenticeship shows, to name but a few. We also regularly invite visitors and alumni to speak to our students in regards to careers; if you are able to support our school by volunteering to run an activity or event, please email cxk@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk
Work Experience/Work Place Visits
Year 10 and Year 12 students are also supported in having a weeks work experience during the academic year. The Careers Lead also arranges in house work experience for Year 8 students to shadow Reception. Year 8 and Year 9 students are also encouraged to take part in the 'Take Your Child To Work' Initiative. Our Year 7 students undertake a Military Work Experience day in school.
Support For Transition Periods
During Year 9 students will have group advice when choosing their options in combination with a specific options evening when parents will be invited to speak with teachers and pastoral leaders about the variety of subjects and courses, and curriculum pathways available at Kingdown School.
Year 11 students are offered one-to-one careers meetings to support in post 16 options as well as the opportunity to attend The National Apprenticeship Show in Bristol. Year 10 have drop-down days to learn about different post 16 opportunities during National Apprenticeship week. In Year 11, students also have a Sixth Form Taster Day, with College and Apprenticeship sessions also available.
Sixth Form Provision
CEIAG in the Sixth Form covers both Higher Education and non HE pathways. Support and guidance is delivered through Assemblies and specific workshops updating CVs and practising interview skills. Students will then be supported through the UCAS process should they choose a university pathway, including specific Oxbridge guidance or be guided to explore apprenticeships and Further Education options, should this be more appropriate.
UniFrog
This is a great resource which has pages giving advice and guidance for different year groups, for parents and carers and providing information for different aspects of careers. All of which support the work that we are doing in school. To access this resource follow this link: UniFrog
Employer & Parent Engagement
Kingdown School is very keen to develop and improve links with the employers, businesses, other organisations and parents who work within our local community. Through your involvement, support and personal experience, we feel our students will be able to gain a greater awareness and understanding about the world of work and the careers and opportunities available to them in the future, helping to broaden horizons and raise aspirations. There are also benefits for your organisation in terms of potential recruitment of our talented students as future employees, apprentices or volunteers.
We have an ever-growing database of contacts and possible offers of help. Any contribution you or your organisation can make will make a significant difference. Some examples of support offered might be careers talks to students, work experience placements, help with mock interviews, workplace visits, mentoring or notifying us of upcoming opportunities within your organisation. Please contact the Careers Lead (contact details below) if you are able to support us.
Giving Providers Access to Year 8-13 Students (PAL)
Providers have access to our students through the various Career Events that we provide. We also signpost and take student to local college open days to ensure we meet the Provider Access Legislation (PAL) . We aim to provide clear and unbiased advice to students with their best interests at heart.
Review of the the Programme and it's Impact
The Careers Support and Employer Engagement Programme at Kingdown School is reviewed annually in the summer term with reports shared to the Senior Leadership Team and Governors in the Autumn Term. This is conducted through the Internal Leadership Review set by CEC to check we are meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks and PAL requirements. As well as this, students undertake the Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ) once per year to ensure the careers programme is meeting the neccesary requirements. We keep records of student destinations to show the impact of their careers guidance and education. We also give regular feedback surveys after careers modules in Personal Development and after activities based on careers.
The next review will take place in May 2027.
Who to contact
If you have any questions about the careers programme at Kingdown School, please contact:
Miss Knight, Careers Lead (cxk@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk)
Telephone: 01985 224249
The Careers Leader SLT Member: Mrs Carpenter (ca@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk)
