Introduction

Careers Advisor

Hello, I’m Charity. I think I’m the newest member of staff but if I’m not the newest I’m the most excited to join the team at Court Fields School.  I’m the schools new Careers Advisor and have the job of supporting your child by providing them with information, advice, and guidance on colleges and careers and running events and activities that will inspire and excite them about their futures.

I have worked in both large and small organisations including Barclays Bank, a primary school and most recently Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC).  Part of my role at BTC was to work alongside the school so I may look familiar to you from my visits to parent’s evenings!  My most important job has been to support my own children through school, college, and University and to watch them thrive and grow which has been amazing.  Now that my children have left home my life is much tidier and quieter but I’m still busy walking my Jack Russell Bella and looking after Charlie my tortoise.

I am really looking forward to meeting all the pupils at Court Fields over the coming months and look forward to meeting you soon.

If you think I can help, or you need to talk through college options or courses please get in touch by emailing me at chunt@courtfields.bep.ac or call the school office


Careers Policies

See how we are doing against the Gatsby Benchmarks

Moving on to the world of further studies and work may feel like a long way off for our students, but it will arrive far more quickly than they realise, so it is important that they have strong support in preparing for this. Our careers and futures program of support starts in year 7, developing their ideas of themselves, their interests and what they enjoy doing. This is part of the PHSE program and subject specific links are made in lessons about how skills and knowledge could link to later life. This work continues through year 8 and into year 9 where students will receive support in choosing their optional courses in year 9, and planning their pathway after they leave us at 16. This support will allow the students to make informed choices that are right for them.

From year 10 students are given a 1:1 interview with our careers adviser to guide them through the process of applying to college or post-16 training providers. For many this will be an informal chat, but for those who need more support this can be a series of meetings with sessions tailored for their needs. Parents are welcome to attend these but you will need to contact the careers adviser to arrange a time that is suitable for everyone. The focus of careers in PHSE will move to writing applications, CVs and interview skills, ensuring they have the experience needed to approach these tasks confidently.

We want to ensure that the students at Court Fields School are aware of as broad a range of careers as possible. If you feel that you could offer an insight into your profession then please contact the school.

If you need to contact the school about careers related matters please email the SLT Careers Lead, Sarah Westwood on swestwood@courtfields.bep.ac. The Careers Leader, Charity Hunt on chunt@courtfields.bep.ac or call the school. Follow us on Twitter @CFSFutures for all the up to date information and tips.

Career Policy & Strategic Plan

The Careers Office

  • The Careers Office is in the Learning Resource Centre. It is open from 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday and until 7.00pm on Parents’ Evenings.
  • You can speak or contact Charity 01823 664201 ext. 222 / chunt@courtfields.bep.ac
  • There are lots of careers related posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter please follow us and ‘like’ the posts.
  • We run a wide range of careers related events and activities throughout the year. The Careers Calendar 2023/24 is available above.
  • Events are shared through the Parent Bulletin, What’s On and via our schools newsletters.

Why do we provide careers advice?

Impartial careers advice is vital in schools to help students develop the skills and ability to make the most appropriate education choices for their options within school, progression beyond school and in working life. A full guide to our careers offer can be found in the Careers plan above.

Who do we work with?

We work with all students in all year groups. We also allow additional time to work with students with special educational or additional needs.

How do we deliver it?

Our careers offer is delivered in a variety of ways including specific events, activities, one to one conversations and embedded in the curriculum.

How do we know if it works?

We work to strict quality standards set by the Government and complete a self-assessment activity twice a year. We also listen to student, family and staff feedback and respond accordingly.

When do we update our offer?

Our offer is always in development and new events and activities are being rolled out throughout the year.

Careers Related Events and Activities

Our events and activities are designed to help students in all year groups. We work extremely hard to provide our students with a wide range of activities to take part in. In addition to the events, activities and one to ones that the Careers Team run for students, we ensure that careers is also embedded into the curriculum.

  • Online engagement via social media, emails and so on - jobs of the week, career event shout-outs and more
  • PSHE for all year groups - citizenship is a key part of a healthy, happy and successful working life
  • Subject classes for all year groups - career pathways are promoted in every subject during class to highlight the relevance of content
  • Display boards highlighting career pathways in each subject
  • Year 11 specifics - trips to local colleges and sixth forms and a guidance interview for every student

Our Pledge to Students Our Pledge to Students

Gatsby

The careers offer at Court Fields follows strict Government guidelines to ensure the quality of its delivery. The GATSBY benchmarks are:

We assess our careers offer on a bi-annual basis by taking the COMPASS self-assessment tool. The benchmarks help us to reflect on our careers offer and implement improvements.  We are delighted to share that we have achieved 100% take a look Here.
Our Next Review date: 28/11/2023

Online Resources

As well as the face to face service and events and activities that we provide our students, there are some great online resources that you might like to explore.

Career Pilot

Career Pilot is a careers information website, which includes:

  • Your choices at 14, 16 and 18
  • More about different job sectors and what they are looking for
  • More information about working and studying - including apprenticeship and university level study

Get the information you need to help you plan your future work and study at careerpilot.org.uk

Psychometric Assessments

These are increasingly being used in working life. Many can give you some interesting career ideas that you haven’t explored before. Follow the links below to have a go!

Careers Hub – Student Padlet

This is a fantastic resource an electronic notice board that provides both students and parent / carers up-to-date information on:

  • What Careers may suit me
  • Post 16 Options
  • Apprenticeships
  • Traineeships
  • T Levels
  • How to get into different jobs
  • Higher Education
  • Taking a Gap Year
  • Virtual Work Experience
  • Distance Learning
  • Information for Parents / Carers
  • Somerset Area

Student Padlet

Apprenticeships Advice

Click HERE to visit the Apprenticeships website.

Click HERE  for Apprenticeship and Traineeship information for individuals

The National Careers Service are dedicated to helping you get the advice you need for future skills, careers, work and life choices. They can help you develop your career with specially designed tools to help you move on in your career, or get you on the job ladder.

To learn more about careers relating to each specific subject that we teach, please look here: careerpilot.org.uk


A University Graduate’s Guide to Boosting Career Prospects


Pupil Destinations GOV

For more pupil destination data please visit the Court Fields School GOV performance page. 

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