Careers and Enterprise
Careers and Enterprise Education at The Norton Knatchbull School
At The Norton Knatchbull School, we are committed to educating our young people about the world of work, providing them with the essential information and guidance they need to make informed life choices. Our curriculum is designed to inspire and challenge students, encouraging them to make a positive contribution not only to our school community but also beyond, into their adult lives.
Measuring Impact
The impact measurement strategies for the 7-year careers programme are structured around tracking participation, engagement, and outcomes using specific tools and regular evaluation points. Key components include:
1. Utilisation of Tracking and Reporting Platforms: Tools such as Compass+ and Unifrog are integral.
Purpose: These platforms are used to systematically track student engagement with different aspects of careers provision (guidance sessions, workshops, employer encounters), manage planned activities, and generate reports on programme delivery and reach. They help monitor progress against benchmarks and internal targets.
2. Regular Evaluations: Formal evaluations are conducted after key careers events or stages within the programme.
Purpose: These evaluations assess the immediate impact and effectiveness of specific interventions, gathering feedback from students, staff, and potentially employers. This provides qualitative and quantitative data on the perceived value and outcomes of particular activities.
3. Ongoing Monitoring via In-house Advisor: The qualified in-house careers lead plays a continuous role in observing student progress, gathering anecdotal evidence, and assessing the impact of bespoke guidance and development activities.
Purpose: This ensures a better understanding of individual student journeys and the impact of tailored support, complementing the broader data gathered through platforms and formal evaluations.
Key Stage 3 Careers and Enterprise Programme
The Key Stage 3 Careers and Enterprise Programme at The Norton Knatchbull School provides a structured three-year journey designed to introduce students to the world of careers and enterprise, helping them explore future pathways and make informed decisions. The overarching objective of the programme is to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to consider a range of career possibilities and understand the relevance of their academic studies to potential future roles.
In Year 7, the programme focusses on introducing students to the concept of personal development and self-discovery in the context of careers. A key tool introduced at this stage is Unifrog, an online platform used for careers guidance. Students begin to explore their interests and strengths through activities integrated with the Unifrog platform.
As students progress to Year 8, the programme builds upon the foundation laid in Year 7. Activities at this stage involve refining their Unifrog profiles and starting to make tangible links between potential career paths and the academic choices they will soon face. Students begin to see how specific subjects and skills developed in Key Stage 3 can lead to different career options.
By Year 9, the programme becomes highly focused on supporting students in making informed decisions about their GCSE options. This crucial stage involves deeper exploration of how subject choices align with various career clusters. The programme also actively includes parents in the process, facilitating discussions and providing resources to ensure that decisions about GCSE options are collaborative and well-considered, ultimately empowering students to make confident career-related choices that will shape their Key Stage 4 studies and beyond.
Through this structured programme, The Norton Knatchbull School prepares students comprehensively to make confident, informed decisions about their futures, empowering them to thrive both within and beyond the school community.
Key Stage 4
The personal development and career guidance program for Year 10 and Year 11 students provides comprehensive support in preparing for future pathways. Key activities include practical sessions on CV writing and mock interviews to build essential employability skills. Students also benefit from valuable work experience placements and individual career guidance meetings to explore options and set goals. Essential tools like Unifrog are utilised for researching universities, apprenticeships, and careers, while The Morrisby Profile provides in-depth strength and aptitude profiling to inform decisions. Support is readily available through dedicated staff members such as Mrs Vernon and guidance from form tutors, ensuring students receive tailored advice throughout the program.
Key Stage 5
In the Sixth Form - The Careers Lead is available to offer bespoke advice and guidance about university options, apprenticeship opportunities or employment post 18.
Students in Year 12 are invited to attend a Careers Convention and have access to a number of external providers. This will be held in Term 4 alongside a Next Steps Focus Day to help explore university offers and alternatives. All students are invited to attend dedicated careers talks held here at school using Alumni and local/regional businesses.
Year 12 and 13 - Will have an opportunity to complete work experience either during the year using dedicated time slots or enrichment time on a Wednesday afternoon. Mrs Vernon is on hand to offer placement suggestions and support with applications. Paperwork is required to ensure all placements meet the H&S regulations and school requirements
Mrs Vernon RCDP (Registered Career Development Professional) is available Monday - Friday 8.00am – 3.30pm to offer advice and guidance and support with the many opportunities both inside and outside of school.
Careers Lead: Heather Vernon
email: hvernon@nks.kent.sch.uk
tel: 01233 620045 ext. 230