Careers Programme
Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG)
‘The Government’s careers strategy sets out a long term plan to build a world class careers system that will help young people and adults choose the career that is right for them. To achieve this aim, the careers strategy sets out that every school providing secondary educations should use the Gatsby Charitable Foundation Benchmarks to develop and improve their careers provision…The Gatsby Benchmarks are not a statutory framework but by adopting them, schools can be confident that they are fulfilling their legal duties.’ - DfE January 2018 (Careers guidance and access for education and training providers) |
The careers provision at Dedworth Middle School aims to provide all pupils with the knowledge, skills, inspiration and positive attitude to take ownership of their own learning and career pathways. The programme ensures that all pupils are equipped with the necessary information, advice and guidance in order to be successful in their futures. By using the Gatsby benchmarks, we are committed to ensuring that our pupils have clear goals and that our pupils are well informed to make decisions regarding their future by the time they leave for their next stage of education. Throughout our programme, we encourage pupils to look beyond their current environment and help them investigate new and exciting career possibilities.
All pupils at Dedworth Middle School are entitled to receive a programme of careers education, advice, information and guidance. The careers provision will help all of our pupils to:
- Understand how their skills, knowledge and interests can be used in the workplace;
- Continue to develop the skills needed for working life;
- Understand the different education and careers options that are available;
- Understand how to apply for a job and to consider the attributes and qualities employers may look for;
- Develop a plan of action for future- making sure they understand the qualifications and skills they may need to follow those aspirations.
At Dedworth Middle School, our careers provision is delivered throughout the curriculum during PSHE lessons, Tutor times, Assemblies and through enrichment activities throughout the year run by external providers, such as The Talent Foundry.
We use the Compass Careers Benchmark tool to help the school to devise a coherent offer for our pupils. The Benchmarks are as follows:
Benchmark 1 - A Stable Careers Programme |
There are some links below with further information and guidance for parents and pupils:
Careers advise
icould - Career ideas and information for your future - Over 1,000 short videos about different jobs and lots of career articles.
Explore careers | National Careers Service - Website with hundreds of job profiles.
Careers Advice | Apprenticeships and Jobs Advice | UCAS – Allows you to search different careers
Personality and Aptitude Assessments
Buzz Test – A short quiz that analyses your personality and suggests which jobs might suit you (suitable for years 7-9)
Choosing GCSE Options
eCLIPS – Within the Education section there is advice and information on GCSEs and options after year 8/9
icould – A short guide to help you choose your GCSE options
BBC Bitesize – A short informative article and video on GCSE options
How2Become - UK's Leading Career, Recruitment & Educational Specialist
How to Make a Career Choice When You Are Undecided (thebalancecareers.com)
Careers - IET Education (theiet.org)
Apprentice Stories - Amazing Apprenticeships
NHS careers AtoZ (stepintothenhs.nhs.uk)
Careerpilot : Plan your future work & study
Careers advice - job profiles, information and resources | National Careers Service
Advice For Parents | Career Options Information For Your Children (parentadviser.co.uk)
CIAG Leader
Our careers leader is Eugene O’Donnell, Head of Year 8.
He can be contacted through the school office. Please see contact details below:
Dedworth Middle School
Smiths Lane, Windsor, SL4 5PE
Tel: 01753 860561
Email: Office@dedworthmiddle.co.uk
If you are an employer and have an opportunity to assist us with the careers provision at DMS please contact Mr Eugene O’Donnell.
Check out “National Careers Week 2020: A Film About HOPE HD 1080p NCW 2020” from National Careers Week on Vimeo.
The video is available for your viewing pleasure at https://vimeo.com/393837020
Check out “NCW - Believe Final Video” from National Careers Week on Vimeo.
The video is available for your viewing pleasure at https://vimeo.com/516434672
National Careers Week Assembly - 4th - 8th March 2024
