Careers Information
A young person’s career is their pathway through learning and work. All young people need a planned programme of activities throughout their school years to equip them with the knowledge and skills to make choices that are right for them and to be able to manage their careers throughout their lives.
At Wolsingham School we aim to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and attributes to make the most of changing opportunities in learning and work. It is important that students are empowered to make informed decisions about pre 16 routes and the relevant pathways to support their longer-term plans.
As an inclusive school we are pleased to help ensure information on all possible opportunities is made available to our students. We provide a varied and extensive careers education and support programme to our students and give impartial information, advice and guidance. We are linked to professionally qualified careers staff who visit school to support our students.
Moreover, our commitment to CEIAG is demonstrated by our continued commitment to careers delivery through timetabled lessons as part of our students PSHE lessons.
Careers Team
We have a dedicated careers team who co-ordinate and monitor the delivery of careers:
Miss L Chambers (Careers Leader)
Miss L Gibbon (Assistant Head Teacher – Personal Development)
Mr G Phillips & Mr D Pearson (Governors for CEIAG)
A provider wishing to request access to Wolsingham School should contact Miss Chambers by emailing CEIAG@wolsinghamschool.net or by contacting the main reception on 01388 527302.
Wolsingham School CEIAG Programme
Wolsingham School’s CEIAG programme is designed to meet the needs of all students and is based on the government’s statutory guidance for schools. The key elements of a good Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme should be to develop the self-awareness, opportunity awareness, decision-making and transition planning skills of its students. It should also look to raise aspirations, broaden horizons and break down stereotypes. Wolsingham School has a critical role to play in preparing young people for the next stage of their education or training and beyond. Expectations should be set high, including for the most vulnerable and those with special educational needs and disabilities, so that every student is stretched and acquires the attributes that employers value. This will help every young person to fulfil their true potential and so increase economic competitiveness and support social mobility and future economic wellbeing.
Wolsingham School’s CEIAG programme is incorporated into the school’s Character Day programme & PSHE curriculum as well as offering a whole suite of other opportunities linked to the students’ needs at different stages in their school life. All students from Year 7 to Year 11 have the opportunity to access information form a wide range of education and training providers on all different routes available to them including technical education and apprenticeship routes. We believe that the whole school staff have a responsibility for the careers education of students and, therefore, it is important that all staff maintain up-to-date knowledge of the opportunities related to their subjects, encourage students to explore ideas and are happy to provide additional information to students or to refer them to other resources/colleagues with more specific knowledge.
In addition to the proposed CEIAG programme, we provide students with opportunities to experience the ‘world of work’ and to develop their key employability and enterprise skills throughout Year 7-11. This is achieved through their formal education as well as through extra-curricular activities both in school and outside of school. Wolsingham School recognises the benefits of students interacting with employers and provides students with opportunities such as ‘Take Your Child to Work Day’ in Year 8 and a three-day work experience placement in Year 10.
Finally, we aim to continue to develop a range of different resources including through the school’s website and on Firefly, in order to support students and their parents in research and planning their futures. We work closely with Durham County Council, The North East LEP, local colleges and schools and other relevant agencies in order to offer appropriate support irrespective of ability so that all our students can make successful transitions within, and beyond, the school.
Impact and Monitoring
Young peoples’ progression plans are tracked in conjunction with the Improving Progression of Young People Team and their destinations help inform future CEIAG provision. Regular monitoring and evaluation processes sample the views of staff, young people, parents/carers, guidance professionals and external partners and these inform the CEIAG arrangements. Young people are involved in the evaluation of CEIAG provision via student voice and questionnaires at key points during the year. Parents and carers are given the opportunity to provide feedback on the CEIAG provision at the termly Parents’ Reference Group and surveys are used to garner feedback at the annual Careers Fair, which informs future planning. There is a termly report provided to Governors on the CEIAG provision.
Wolsingham School carries out an annual review of its CEIAG provision. This is done by analysis of local and national NEET figure. The provision is mapped against the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks and the CDI Framework (2021). Wolsingham’s published CEIAG information is reviewed annually in June.
Learners Activity Survey
The activity survey is produced annually and shows the destinations of students after they have left Wolsingham School.
2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Student numbers | 129 | 136 | 134 |
| Full time education including apprenticeships | 98.45% | 87.5% | 91.8% |
| Full time training | 1.55% | 1.5% | 4.5% |
| Employment without training | 0.78% | 1.5% | 0.7% |
| NEET | 0.78% | 0.7% | 1.5% |
| Destination not known | N/A | 1.5% | N/A |
Student Entitlement
Students in Year 7-11 are entitled:
- To find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point.
- To hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options evenings, assemblies and group discussions and taster events.
- To understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.
Careers Resources
This is a link to the National Careers Service website Use the skills assessment on their site to identify some career ideas and then use the “Explore Careers” section for more information.
http://www.wherestemcantakeyou.co.uk
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/study-support
https://www.successatschool.org/
Career Guidance & Advice From Leading Website | Career Boss
Specific Careers Websites
www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk – for careers in engineering
https://www.engineergirl.org – for girls’ careers in engineering
www.ideasfoundation.org.uk – for careers in the creative industries
http://careers.abpi.org.uk/your-career/school-and-college-students/Pages/default.aspx – for careers in medicines/pharmaceutical research
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk – for careers in medicine
https://www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/careers – for careers in the NHS
www.careerscope.uk.net – for careers in the Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality sectors
www.northeastmotortradeapprenticeships.co.uk – for careers in the motor industry
https://www.lawcareers.net – for careers in Law
https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/ – for careers in Law
https://www.talk-business.co.uk/2020/07/14/how-to-become-an-estate-agent/ -for a career as an estate agent
Careers
Is your child considering A-levels? Do they know what career opportunities the subjects they take will open up for them? Take a look at this website to find out:
https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/advice-for-school-leavers
Local College/Sixth Form Links
Queen Elizabeth 6th Form College Darlington
St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form
King James I Academy and Sixth Form
Thinking about University?
https://www.topuniversities.com/courses/engineering/guide
https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/
Thinking about Apprenticeships?
UCAS Information on Apprenticeships
Careers in the Armed Forces
www.army.mod.uk – For careers in the Army
www.royalnavy.mod.uk – For careers in the Royal Navy
www.raf.mod.uk – For careers in the Royal Air Force
