Key Stage 3 Curriculum linked to Gatsby Benchmarks and CDI

During year 7 students will have the opportunity to investigate a wide range of careers and look at the skills required for each role. Students will have the opportunity to identify their own skill set and focus on ways to develop their skills further. The 5 R’s, Resilience, Responsibility, Resourceful, Reasoning and Reflective are all key skills which students have the opportunity to develop on a daily basis through classroom lessons and enrichment activities. Links to Gatsby 1 and 4, links to CDI 1, 2 and 4

At year 8 students are introduced to our Connexions Careers Advisors. Each student will participate in a series of workshops run by a trained Careers Advisor, where they will receive information, advice and guidance on a wide range of pathways into FE, HE, Apprenticeships and Careers. They will also return to looking at employability skills and looking at how their personal skill set has developed over the year.. 

Working in partnership with FutureMe, a theater performance entitled Why Care? focuses on the wide range of careers available in the NHS. Links to Gatsby 3,4,5 and 8, links to CDI 4,5,6,10 and 11.

Year 9 is a very important year for students as they start the Guided Choices process. CEIAG plays a large role in helping the students to make choices about what to study at KS4 and think about the pathways open to them once they leave Marden. The year starts with Workshops run by University Ambassadors from NECOP, these focus at looking at the different qualifications needed for a wide range of careers. Students have the opportunity to speak with recent graduates and undergraduates about the different pathways open to them after GCSE’s. Further workshops are delivered by the Connexions advisors, again with a focus on how to decide what to study at KS4 and how the decisions they make can impact their future career choices. The Enact Theatre Group visit the year group to perform Destination Success, a play focusing on what to (and what not to) base their KS4 choices around. 

Later on in the year all students in year 9 participate in Careers Speed Dating. This morning allows students the opportunity to question around 20 different employees and employers about their roles and responsibilities at work. Towards the end of year 9 students start to prepare themselves for Work Experience by taking part in a series of lessons focused around how to find a suitable work experience placement. They also receive advice on how to make contact with prospective employers, writing a personal statement and CV building. Links to Gatsby 3,4,5 and 6, links to CDI, 1,2,3,11,12,14,15,16 and 17