Careers Leader

Careers Leader

This an opportunity to continue to grow and develop careers at TSPA working under a senior leader who is a former careers leader. We are looking for a dynamic candidate who ideally holds or is working towards a level 6 qualification in Careers Advice & Guidance, to provide effective careers education and guidance for students as they progress through the academy. We are looking for a creative, dynamic and forward-thinking individual, who is self-motivated and likes young people! Flexible working hours available! 

The successful candidate will be capable of strategic thinking coupled with excellent attention to detail and the willingness to work on expanding the school’s career provision. The successful candidate will also be able to network and represent The Stockwood Park Academy in a variety of settings; working and liaising with companies, employers, charitable Trusts, the community cluster board and careers organisations locally, nationally and internationally.

Purpose of the Role

The role of the Careers Leader at TSPA will be to plan and implement a strategy for developing a careers programme for the Academy that meets all eight of the Gatsby benchmarks of good practice and prepares young people for the choices and transitions in education, training and employment.

There is a dualistic nature to the role; with a focus on career leadership and careers advice. The successful candidate will also provide impartial information, advice and guidance to help students make realistic choices about education, training and work, including Sixth-form options, TSLT Cricket Academy and Post-16 and Post-18 choices. Careers education forms a continuous thread throughout our Academy life. It aims to provide a framework within which each student can develop the self-awareness and experience necessary to make balanced decisions at each stage during their time at the Academy and, hopefully, after they leave.

Line-Manager

The Careers Leader will be line-managed by the Assistant Principal for Personal Development.

The successful candidate will also meet with the Head of School termly.

Key Responsibilities

Advise on careers related policy and developments.

Organise, manage and develop the Careers programme across years 7-13 to ensure the academy is meeting all objectives set out by the Gatsby Benchmarks.

Support curriculum leaders with the organisation of careers related experience days/trips, a programme of industry-related speakers and integrating careers across the curriculum.

Manage the timetabling of meetings for students for personal career guidance.

Undertake personal career guidance meetings with students at key transition points; GCSE options, Post-16 and Post-18, in addition to providing drop in sessions where required.

Identify and prioritise students for guidance, based on vulnerable groups and devising tailored packages of support for those most in need.

Manage Work Experience placements for students, as appropriate and ensure all placements are Health and Safety checked meeting the HSE guidance.

Enhance the careers education offer by arranging trips, visits from employers and employees and organise off-timetable days.

Plan careers-based schemes of work for RSHCE lessons and the tutor time programme in years 7-11.

Plan and deliver employability sessions in the Sixth Form.

Train and support staff to deliver careers education sessions.

Manage the careers budget.

Establish and maintain links with employers, FE and HE colleges, Independent training providers, Universities and other external organisations as required.

Attend parents’ evenings, GCSE and A Level results days, Open evenings and Option events.

Undertake duties as a middle manager at TSPA when required

Manage the careers section of the academy website and utilise social media channels, ensuring that information is accurate and up to date, with current opportunities promoted to students

Support and track the progress of the list of students identified as being at risk of becoming NEET, overseeing the provision that is put in place for them

 

External Impact

Collect, maintain and analyse accurate data for each pupil on their destinations for 3 years after they leave year 11.

Work with local and national universities to develop opportunities for collaboration to increase participation in higher education.

Making use of Compass+ and Unifrog to gather regular feedback from pupils, employers and parents to evaluate the quality and impact of the careers programme.

Build up an alumni network.

Work closely with the member of the Community Cluster Board linked to careers and report to the Community Cluster Board termly

Manage formal and informal parent and carer, staff, student and external contact communications in relation to careers.

Conduct a yearly evaluation of careers provision across the academy

Lead the external accreditation of careers education through the careers mark.

Professional Development

To take responsibility for personal professional development

To take part, as appropriate, in the school’s professional development programme.

To actively engage in the Performance Management Review process.

Undertake training as required by the academy.

Accountability

The careers leader is accountable to the Assistant Principal for Personal Development with overall responsibility for Careers.

Structure

The Careers Leader will be line-managed by a member of the leadership team. They will also have administrative support provided by a PA to the senior leadership team.

The Careers Leader will have an office within the library.  The office will enable the Careers Leader to meet with students safely and quietly. The Careers Leader will also be able to meet regularly with our current Careers Leader at The Chalk Hills Academy, for both support and professional development opportunities.

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual take is not identified. Employees will be expected to comply with all reasonable request from the Head of School.

Safeguarding

‘We believe in the safeguarding and welfare of children and expect all staff to share this view’.

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.  Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer.

The Department for Education (DfE) has set out statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ for schools and colleges on safeguarding.

Safeguarding is defined in paragraph 4 as:  “Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.”

The definition of 'children' includes everyone under the age of 18.