Careers

Careers Lead: Mr H Singh (Assistant Headteacher) 

hsingh@chssouth.org.uk

0161 241 9930

The school employs a qualified Careers Advisor from 'Our Futures' who meets with every student in Year 10 or in Year 11 as part of a rolling programme. However, any student from any year can make an appointment though the library. Students are able to gain individualised advice and guidance on their proposed courses and routes post 16. The careers advisor can also be seen by any student at any time by simply making an appointment at the Library or by attending one of the drop-in sessions. Each student is provided with a bespoke Action Plan which is routinely updated after each meeting. It is also shared with parents/carers.

Careers Advisor: Mike Murray

m.murray@prosperetrust.onmicrosoft.com

Year 7: Aspiration and Skill Mapping 

• Dare to Dream: Focus on aspirations, skills, and abilities. 
• Qualities of Success (QOS): Development during transition and early Year 7. 
• Career Pathways: Students share interests to identify suitable opportunities. 
• Activities: Encounters with employers, motivational speakers, workshops, and trips. 
• International Women’s Day: All Year 7 girls attend a Careers Fair, meeting over 20 women from diverse career paths. 

Year 8: Developing Employability Skills 

• QOS Development: Continued emphasis on employability skills. 
• Pastoral Curriculum: 'Careers' focus in Autumn 2, featuring weekly visiting speakers. 
• International Men’s Day: Year 8 boys attend a Careers Fair with professionals from various fields. 
• Arts Elective: Opportunity to choose an Arts elective for Year 9, highlighting employability skills and potential careers in the arts sector. 

Year 9: Research and Skills Development 

• Career Research: Exploring career choices and related skills. 
• QOS Development: Focus on strengths and areas for improvement. 
• Extended Learning Experience Day: Workshops on interview skills, team building, career research, and financial enterprise. 
• STEMfest Week: Activities promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, including themed experiments and trips. 

Year 10: Work Experience and College Preparation 

• Work Experience: One week to develop employability skills in various sectors. 
• College Taster Days: Opportunities to explore post-high school options. 
• One-on-One Meetings: Summer term meetings with the in-school careers advisor for personalised guidance. 

Year 11: Post-16 Planning and Application Support 

• Further Education Evening: Meeting educational and training providers, understanding application processes. 
• Personal Guidance: Regular meetings with the careers advisor to secure post-16 destinations. 
• RESPECT Curriculum: Support for college applications, personal statements, and preparation for interviews. 
• Extra Provision: Additional support for students needing intensive, personalised transition assistance. 
• Students receive comprehensive support in the college application process, including exclusive taster days, parent evenings, and weekly assemblies. 

All pupils with an Educational Health Care Plan have a bespoke careers advisor termly across their school career.

CHS South is part of the Greater Manchester Apprenticeships and Careers Service. We continue to ensure that we meet all 8 Gatsby benchmarks and use the Compass Tool to map our progress. We work closely with a local Careers Advisor to ensure that our students are getting the best possible careers opportunities and are developing the skills that are in demand.

More information about this service can be found at the Greater Manchester Apprenticeship & Careers Service

https://www.gmacs.co.uk

We review each event and opportunity that we provide our students with on a regular basis to ensure breadth, diversity, equity & impact. We speak to students, staff & community members to gather their opinions on the careers events that take place. This feedback informs our future planning and is shared with Governors on a termly basis.

All our students can access resources and information at any time by using the dedicated careers section in the Library where they can pick up prospectuses, leaflets and application forms. Online resources are also signposted in these areas as are key website addresses.

The school has subscribed to Careers Mag, a magazine designed to give top tips to parents regarding careers, post 16 routes and the variety of available job opportunities.

www.eclips-online.co.uk eclips online offer students information on thousands of careers giving details of qualification required, wages, job roles and related information. Log in details are available from the Library.

There are also a great many additional websites that offer valuable careers information

www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk The official government website and offers information on a wide range of careers, job roles and CV writing. There are a number of career tools that support choices about future routes.

www.gov.uk/education/apprenticeships-traineeships-and-internships Offers information about different apprenticeships and provides details of current vacancies.

http://www.careersbox.co.ukStudents can watch films and videos about different jobs.

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk Information on the wide range of careers within the NHS.

www.ucas.comOffers advice on course choices and options after doing GCSE’s.  In addition, students can start thinking about universities and course entry requirements.

www.whatcareerisrightforme.com Students can take a free aptitude test to see which job they are suited to.

The CHS South community is committed to raising money for a range of local charities, national events and global campaigns throughout the year. As well as supporting local and international charities this also encourages enterprise and understanding of income. Each Year group has a student council who choose their charity.