6 minute read
Finding the right path
A broad careers programme of expert talks and support groups earned Farringtons School a welldeserved fi nalist place in our awards campaign. Head of Careers, Rebecca Miah, tells us more…
At Farringtons we’re inclusive, caring, and ambitious with a careers education programme aligned to our core values.
Farringtons Futures launched just over a year ago, carefully designed to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks*, it is a whole school approach which allows our pupils to discover their passion and develop the skills they need for their future.
We recognise that careers education and employability skills cannot be taught discretely. Pupils are encouraged to recognise the key skills learned on a day-to-day basis, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities. is ties in with our Floreat programme, where pupils participate in di erent activities as part of the curriculum; these include; photography, sports leadership, podcasting, volunteering and much more. Pupils are encouraged to record all these experiences in their online ‘locker’ to draw upon when writing their CVs, applications and personal statements.
Teachers are trained on how to incorporate careers discussions into their lessons and are aware of the numerous opportunities available relating to their subjects, allowing sta to enthuse pupils and o er speci c careers advice. We have careers displays across departments and teachers have access to subjectspeci c resources, including employee-insight videos and lesson activities demonstrating the relevance of topics to potential careers. is allows for meaningful discussion, improving not only our careers guidance provision but also enhancing the positive relationships between our sta and pupils.
In wellbeing lessons, pupils explore and discuss a variety of topics including social enterprise, career-based stereotyping and what makes a rewarding job. ese are carefully planned for each year group. Teachers have commented that during these lessons pupils are fully engaged, due to the relevance of the topics covered.
We believe it bene cial for pupils to be engaged in the programme development. To this end, a team of pupil Careers Champions meet regularly with the Head of Careers. All events are
The school hosts Army Activity Days to inspire students who may show an interest in joining the Armed Forces
Careers Champions from the student body work with the careers department to plan vocational events and activities Apprenticeship Week is just one of the initiatives aimed at pupils on the cusp of leaving school
Farringtons School is set in Chislehurst, South-East London
planned jointly and the Champions themselves deliver careers-based assemblies. Champions gather feedback on past events, which allows us to build, and improve, upon the programme for the bene t of the pupils who follow.
We regularly invite speakers to the school, and during Careers Week these came from ve di erent industries, chosen by the Champions. e talks were instructional and supportive, the pupils appreciated the fact that these are “real-world” speakers relating experiences yet to be encountered by themselves, providing invaluable “road maps” for working life.
We work with our pupils’ parents and have delivered, to them, speci c talks covering; • entrepreneurship • apprenticeships •how parents can help their child plan for their future Parents and pupils can arrange guidance meetings with our Head of Careers and further advice and resources are available through our speci c Farringtons Futures website. Alongside university application guidance, we also host a weekly support group for students applying for apprenticeships. Here, they’re guided through the process of nding and applying for relevant opportunities. e support we o er is personalised, enabling each individual to discover their ambitions.
We engage with employers, allowing pupils to develop crucial networking skills. We’ve forged excellent relationships with local companies, and several have delivered talks about their school-leaver opportunities, even o ering pupils work experience and mock interviews. We work with parent volunteers and alumni to deliver additional individual support. Year 10 and 12 pupils complete a one-week work experience placement, this builds their independence, maturity and self-con dence while enhancing their CV. We believe that these interactions are crucial in preparing pupils for life beyond school.
Farringtons Futures is carefully woven into school life, a comprehensive and consistently evolving programme responding to feedback from across the school community. e events o ered not only highlight opportunities available but are speci cally designed to challenge stereotypes and demonstrate to our pupils everything they can achieve, whether it be through an Army Activity Day or an apprenticeship workshop. e extensiveness of the programme delivered re ects our desire to meet the needs of all our pupils, ensuring their future success.
Stepping into the spotlight
Coventry’s Pattison College is a non-selective, all-through school with a performing arts programme which inspires pupils of all ages
Founded in 1949, Pattison is a very special school because of its highly-acclaimed performing arts pedigree, combined with a strong academic focus. Pupils can take advantage of con dence-building performance opportunities in dance, drama and music, as well as a rst-class education. is is all within a family environment that has all the bene ts of an uninterrupted all-through education and a strong focus on pastoral care.
All children, from the age of four up to year nine, have a speech and drama lesson as part of their timetable. is lesson enables pupils to mature into con dent, articulate members of society. From a young age, pupils are also encouraged to express themselves through dance and to develop the physical control and discipline required to dance, through weekly lessons. In music, specialist sta teach all pupils from the Early Years up, and pupils are encouraged to join the junior and senior choirs, which take part in performances throughout the year, as well as competing successfully in local festivals.
Pupils are encouraged to express themselves through dance to Pattison take advantage of the vast range of dance activities. Individual timetables are designed for pupils, based on their interest, experience and ability. A sports club also takes place three times a week at lunchtimes for those who aren’t dance enthusiasts.
Being a small school, Pattison celebrates and values each child’s individuality, and sta take the time to get to know every pupil, supporting them, helping them and encouraging them to learn at their own pace. is pastoral care continues right through their time at Pattison. e children are supported, challenged or extended, depending on their individual needs, so that they’re always working to their full potential. All children are given the opportunity to develop their learning and interests as individuals and within small groups.
Pattison is proud of its pupils’ fantastic achievements. Some children leave the school at age 16 and the majority of these
children continue on to further education and university. Other children chose to stay on at Pattison until age 18 to participate in the schools excellent musical theatre course, which prepares students for careers both as performers and teachers. Students who leave Pattison at the end of the musical theatre course are extremely well prepared for this, with quali cations and skills in dance, drama and singing.
Every Pattison student has the opportunity to shine and ful l their full potential, in preparation for a bright future.
For more information, see pattisons.co.uk and for school visits email o ce@pattisons.co.uk or call on 024 7645 5031.
AT ALL LEVELS, THE PERFORMING ARTS are taught by specialist teachers, and most pupils COMING TO PATTISON TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE VAST RANGE OF DANCE ACTIVITIES
Children join the junior and senior choirs and take part in musical performances The school has a strong academic focus
