Careers

BCHS is committed to providing high quality careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) to all students in order to prepare them for the opportunities and challenges of adult working life.

There is a robust programme of careers education in place, as well as access to providers for all students in years seven to 11, such that all students will leave our school with the skills and knowledge required to support their entry into further and higher education, traineeship or employment.

All students take part in a CEIAG programme that:

  • aims to inspire, as well as inform and guide students;
  • is developed around the student and their needs;
  • is integrated into the students’ experience of the whole curriculum;
  • encourages all students to consider possible career choices throughout key stage 3 and 4;
  • encourages all students to develop skills that make them ‘work ready’, such as presentation, communication, decision making and entrepreneurial skills;
  • provides each student with high quality, impartial advice;
  • raises aspirations and promotes equality and diversity.

Our careers leader is Mrs Reeves and she can be contacted via email at: TReeves402@bchs.co.uk. We also have a dedicated careers adviser, Kelley Ansbro, who works every Thursday and is available for 1:1 meetings with students by appointment and drop in sessions at lunch and break. Parents are welcome to join their children for the meeting, just contact Kelley to arrange. Her office is based in the Coms area.  One-to-one interviews provide students with opportunities to discuss their potential career pathway with an impartial adviser. You can book an appointment with Kelley via Mrs Reeves on email: TReeves402@bchs.co.uk.

 

Gatsby benchmarks

In January 2018 the Government introduced ‘The Gatsby Benchmarks’. The eight benchmarks focus on improving careers guidance and education for all young people and we use these to measure and assess the impact our careers programme has on our students.

Gatsby Benchmarks website
Year Autumn Term Gatsby Benchmark Spring Term Gatsby Benchmark Summer Term Gatsby Benchmark
7 National Careers Service website 3, 8 Careers education in progress time (career pathways, employability skills, personal qualities 3, 4 Visit UCLan as part of the SUN Project 7
Introduction to careers adviser and drop-in sessions 8
BAE / RAF / Royal Navy Roadshow 5, 6
Visit UCLan as part of the SUN Project 7
8 National Careers Service website reminder 3, 8 Visit UCLan as part of the SUN Project 7 Speed networking event 2, 5
Reminder of careers adviser and drop-in sessions 8 Visit UCLan as part of the SUN Project 7
BAE/RAF/Royal Navy roadshow 5, 6 Careers education in progress time (career pathways, salaries, budgeting, qualifications) 3, 4 PSHE – Personal goals and values (2 lessons)    3, 4
PHSE – Raising aspirations and planning for the future (2 lessons)  3, 4
9 National Careers Service website reminder 3, 8 Options evening 4, 7, 8   Visit UCLan as part of the SUN Project 7
Reminder of careers adviser and drop-in sessions 8 Visit UCLan as part of the SUN Project 7
Careers fair in school 2, 5, 7 PSHE – Employability skills and careers (2 lessons) 3, 4 Careers education in progress time (career pathway, option choices, applications, further education)   3,4
Get Ahead mentoring program with UCLan 7 Visit Training 2000 2, 5, 6, 7
10 National Careers Service website reminder 3, 8 Visit UCLan as part of the SUN Project 7 Post-16 taster days 7
Reminder of careers adviser and drop-in sessions 8 PHSE – The workplace and discrimination at work (2 lessons)     3, 4 Individual careers adviser interviews commence     7
Careers fair in school 2, 5, 7
Blackburn Aspiring Careers fair (LA event) 2, 5, 7   Careers education in progress time (career pathways, CV writing, budgeting and payslips) 3, 4 Work experience (small cohort)   6
Visit UCLan as part of the SUN Project  7
11 National Careers Service website reminder 3, 8     Post-16 applications support from careers adviser and careers admin         2, 3, 7, 8 Follow up any students at risk of becoming NEET, liaise with colleges and New Directions regarding applications and post-16 offers of education or employment 3
Individual careers adviser interviews continue 8
Post-16 applications support from careers adviser and careers admin 2, 3, 7, 8
Careers fair in school 2, 5, 7
Post-16 choices assemblies 3, 7 Individual careers adviser interviews continue  8
Mock interviews 3, 5
Careers education in progress time (career pathways, personal statements, applications)  3, 4

Useful links