Quality in Careers Standard

We have been awarded the Quality in Careers Standard after a three year accreditation process. The award is the single national quality award for careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) in secondary and special schools, colleges and work-based learning.

"West Kirby School and College is nationally accredited by the Quality in Careers Standard as fully meeting all of the accreditation criteria incorporating the Gatsby Benchmarks" - Kath Wyke, Careers Connect Assessor.

Mrs Shallcross, award lead, commented, "Achieving the Quality in Careers Standard shows our commitment to giving students the best guidance and opportunities, helping them build the skills they need for success in their futures."

Key points include:

• All students are provided with access to high quality, impartial and unbiased careers information and equal opportunities.

• The delivery of CEIAG is designed to have an impact on raising aspirations and helping students to make challenging but realistic plan for their future with support.

• The careers website is comprehensive and provides all the information necessary for all stakeholders.

• There is clear commitment from the top for the delivery of high quality CEIAG and career-related opportunities for students.

• Mrs Shallcross has worked tirelessly in understanding the needs and aspirations of all learners.

• The school website provides easy access to information for students, employers/partners, teaching staff and parents/carers.

• The school provides outstanding support for learners and their parents ahead of transition, which is crucial according to the nature of the learners.

• Equality and Diversity is promoted throughout the curriculum.

• The CEIAG programme is differentiated to meet the needs of the students; everyone is well-supported and encouraged to identify their career interests and aspirations.

• There is a clear commitment by the school to ensure the best outcomes for each pupil and transition support is second to none; all students are well-prepared and supported throughout.

• There is a true commitment from all staff to embed careers throughout the curriculum.

• The school ensures a range of employer encounters take place with each year group. Examples include: careers fair; enterprise market; work experience and placements; inclusion and diversity day; apprenticeship activities; taster sessions and employer visits.

• There is a clear commitment to raising aspirations.

• The strong partnership between the school and the independent careers advisor, Ruth Evans, and the professional practice of the Careers Advisor is a strength.

• All staff are passionate about engaging with the CEIAG in a range of different ways.

• Students are very positive about their experience of CEIAG and the support offered by the Careers Lead Mrs Shallcross.

• All students involved in the assessment discussed how important they felt having access to meaningful work experience opportunities was and how much confidence they had gained from being able to take part in work placements, employer visits and college visits.

• Parents were positive about the careers programme in school and expressed how supportive staff had been throughout their child's time at school.

• Parents felt there was access to a range of opportunities for their child and this ensured they made the appropriate decisions about their futures.

• An employer explained she had been working with West Kirby School and College for over 5 years and this was mainly due to the confidence she had in the school staff to place pupils who were well-prepared and enthusiastic to take part in work experience.