Careers Services at Heckmondwike Grammar School
At HGS we have a well resourced careers department. Head of Careers, Sharon Scanlon is a full time qualified Careers and Higher Education Adviser, with whole school responsibility for all matters relating to Careers Education and Guidance.
Together with Mrs Scanlon, Mrs Garforth (Careers Adviser) and Mrs Henderson (Careers Administrator) are based in the Careers Resource Centre, dealing with advice and guidance and student enquiries. Mrs Morton, Sixth Form Placement Co-Ordinator, can be located in the Quiet Study area.
Students have access to the latest careers software and an extensive range of literature.
Advice and Guidance
Careers Advisers are available to help and advise Sixth Form students. As well as a system of tutor referral, students can also make an appointment by calling into the Careers Centre. Generally careers appointments take place during the student’s free periods.
Parents
Parents are always very welcome to attend careers appointments, which can be arranged after school hours if necessary. Careers advisers are also available for consultation at parents’ evenings for years 9-13.
Careers Information
There is a dedicated careers resource area, open to all students during the school day. Students have access to ICT facilities, the latest careers software and a wide range of careers literature. Careers staff are always available to assist with student enquiries.
The centre has been awarded the Quality Information Standard, for providing high quality information to students.
PSHCE/CEG
There is a comprehensive Careers Education and Guidance Programme for all year groups 7-11 and sixth form, which is delivered by tutors during skills lessons. Where possible, the Careers Advisers are involved in both the planning and classroom delivery of Careers Education. The main topics covered are as follows:
Year 7
Employment trends and the changing world of work
Year 8
Job families - An introduction to specific jobs and careers in the broader context of job families
Year 9
Careers and information resources, careers library index system, impact of GCSE options on future career choices, introduction to HGS careers advice website
Year 10
Introduction to careers software packages including Kudos Inspire and Careerscape.
Preparation for individual careers interviews
Year 11
Overview of all post-16 options - including further education, vocational courses and apprenticeships
A level subject choice and introduction to Higher Education
Sixth Form
Higher Education planning, preparation and application.
Post-A level job search, traineeships and apprenticeships
External Links
To compliment our careers education programme we have a well established programme of guest speakers from higher education and industry. We are also part of the Widening Participation and Leeds Access schemes and students regularly attend events at local universities.
Sixth Form Work Placements
All sixth form students are encouraged to participate in the work related learning programme which may count towards the AQA Baccalaureate Qualification.
All our work placement providers are health and safety checked. Parental permission is always sought. Mrs Morton and Mrs Henderson are the Sixth Form placement co-ordinators.
Quality Service
We aim to provide a high quality service for all our students and their families. To do so we have outlined the service you can expect from the Careers Department at HGS.
HGS students using careers services are entitled to:
- A dedicated Careers Resource Centre
- Welcoming and approachable staff
- Time given, by negotiation with tutors, to attend your careers appointments
- Qualified and experienced advisers who will provide impartial and fair guidance, information and advice on all the options available to you
- Confidentiality - private interview rooms are available
- Appropriate careers guidance and information without prejudice of any kind
- Support and assistance with higher education and job applications and CVs
- Help in preparing for higher education and job interviews
- Help and support in finding suitable work placements in 6th form
- At least 5 days of business and enterprise activities in years 9-11
- A comprehensive careers education programme from years 7-13 (Skills Programme)
Students using the Careers Services have responsibilities to:
- Attend careers appointments on time or to let the careers adviser know if you are unable to attend
- Return loaned resources in good condition and on time
- Behave in a courteous and appropriate manner in all careers and work related learning activities
- Take the responsibility to research your own plans and ideas using the facilities made available to you
- Follow up on any specific action points suggested by the careers adviser
Comments, Complaints and Compliments
We regularly evaluate and review the services provided to students and act upon the findings of student surveys. We welcome feedback and ideas from students. Your comments (good and bad!) help us to improve our services. If you wish to comment you may contact us directly or via your form tutor. Alternatively you can post your feedback in the comments box in the Careers Resource Centre.
| 
School Travel & Personal Injury Insurance
