Careers Education
Our school’s careers leader is Mrs R Ramsden, Director of Learning, r.ramsden@bedford.wigan.sch.uk, 01942 909009.
Provider Access Information (click on the link below)
Through a coherently planned and sequenced programme of high quality CEIAG activities, unbiased IAG, experiences of work and meaningful contact with employers, we aim to encourage students to aspire to make good choices and understand what they need to do reach and succeed in careers to which they aspire.
Our careers programme is designed to meet the needs of the students at Bedford High School. We are committed to:
- Providing a planned sequence of CEIAG activities.
- Providing at minimum of 4 employer engagement activities to all students in order to raise their aspirations and reduce their likelihood of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training) post-16.
- Providing IAG which is impartial, unbiased and is based on individual student needs. We do this through our service agreement with Aspiring Futures.
- Ensuring that the CEIAG and WRL programme follows national frameworks for good practice, evidenced against the Gatsby benchmarks.
- Demonstrating a commitment to continuously improving CEIAG standards by sustaining the Quality in Careers Standard (Previously Inspiring IAG).
We endeavour to equip students with the skills, attitudes, knowledge and understanding needed, to manage their lifelong aspirations and transition to their next stage successfully.
The Careers office is located in the Hive and maintained by the Community and WRL coordinator and the Aspiring Futures careers advisor.
Typical CEIAG activities include:
- CEIAG/WRL sessions (group work and individual interviews) during curriculum and non-structured times
- Individual learning planning/portfolio activities – used by individuals during careers meetings
- CEIAG enrichment days/ Employability focus days/ Annual Careers Fair / FE & HE taster days / Digital events
- Business lunches
- Speakers for Schools / Aspirational Workshops
- Business in the Community (BITC) activities/ Business link educational visits
- Partnership activities with Springboard
- Work experience placements
All CEIAG events are evaluated to ensure a quality provision. This is done through participant evaluation, employer evaluation and parent voice activities.
Following the GCSE results day and on into the Autumn term, the WRL Coordinator and the progression team from Aspiring Futures, offer further support to engage and retain students in post-16 education or training.
Specific examples of our CEIAG activities are outlined on our CEIAG Activity Calendar
The 8 Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance
The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of 8 guidelines that define the best careers provision in schools and colleges.
1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance
Gatsby Benchmarks
The Gatsby Benchmarks are now fully integrated into the strategic plan for CEIAG. The most recent assessment, from June 2019 judges that we have currently met 94% of the Gatsby benchmarks overall.
Post-16 Activity Survey 2018
Post-16 destinations are captured by Aspiring Futures and presented in the annual activity report, which is shared with schools in the spring term. This shows student engagement in post-16 college and training providers, apprenticeships and those who, at the time of the data capture, are NEET.
Cohort number: 162
| Participation | 96.9% | 157 |
| FE | 80.9% | 131 |
| Employment with apprenticeship/training | 9.3% | 15 |
| Training without employment | 6.8% | 11 |
| Employment without training | 1.9% | 3 |
| Voluntary / Part-Time employment | 0% | 0 |
| Unknown | 0% | 0 |
| NEET | 1.2% | 2 |
Additional Support and Guidance
Aspiring Futures
Aspiring Futures is the employment and skills service for young people in Wigan borough. They provide careers information and advice for young people. Bedford High School currently have a service level agreement with Aspiring Futures to which provides our students with access to independent and impartial careers guidance that both inspires them and raises their aspirations.
Aspiring futures also support our school with CEIAG events and work experience, helping us to deliver the objectives in the Careers Strategy (2018).
In addition to scheduled 1:1 support for students, parents and students can also self-refer. To do this, parents and/or students should speak to Mrs Birchall, who will help facilitate this.
Careers Websites
The National Apprenticeship Service has the latest news, information and advice to help you find and apply for an apprenticeship vacancy.
The National Careers Service is a free careers advice service for adults and young people aged 13 years and over. Access support by the website link above, telephone: 0800 100 900 or book a free call back through the website if you do not have access to a landline and you have a pay-as-you-go mobile.
Play the game to discover jobs that match your personality, interests and skills.
The UK’s national volunteering database, Do-it.org makes it easy for anyone to volunteer in their community.
The Bridge provides unique insights and helpful figures, Labour Market Information.