Careers Education Programme

Chart 1

Chart 1 shows 55% of students progressed to study Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications at HPS6F and other Harris Academies; 45% of students progressed to study Level 1,2 and 3 qualifications at local Colleges. Students who were deemed vulnerable to becoming NEET were supported by the Harris careers teams and local NEET from Croydon throughout sixth form.

Chart 2

Chart 3

Charts 2 and 3 show 75% of students have progressed onto Level 3 courses; 23% of students are studying Level 2 courses; 2% of students are following Plumbing at Level 1 / 2 and 1% (1) student is doing Level 1 Business, this is an EAL student who is studying at Westminster College.

It is pleasing to note, most students are progressing onto Level 3 qualifications, this reflects good progress made by HPS^F students on the GCSE pathway.

Chart 4

Chart 5

It is pleasing to see that students have secured destinations in 8 different subject areas, this is reflective of their personal interests. The students received impartial careers guidance to ensure that they were selecting courses at an appropriate level and to pursue subjects that stimulate their personal interest and will support development towards their future career. (refer to charts 4 and 5).

Chart 6

Chart 7

Charts 6 and 7 show that students have secured level 3 courses over 8 different subjects; this reflects the wide range of interest students have. It is particularly pleasing to note that students were able to progress onto level 3 courses. The vocational courses: Health and social care; Business and Art & Design are popular choices.

Students were provided with effective careers education information and guidance to support them with applications to colleges and sixth forms. They were encouraged look at the range of courses on offer by local providers and select a suitable subject at an appropriate level that is linked to a future career.

A-Levels

Level 3	A levels Subjects
TL	Physics, Maths, Science
SK	Maths, Computer Science, Business
SE	Psychology
CO	Media, English

There are four students who are now studying A levels at local sixth forms. They achieved the required grades 5 GCSEs at grades 5-9 allowing them to study academic subjects. It is pleasing to see that students have selected STEM and facilitating subjects as part of their A level programme. (Table 2)

 Case study JT is a female student who has low confidence and required a high level of support to complete the Level 2 resit courses and through a committed approach to her learning, achieved the requirements for Level 3 Business. (4 GCSE grades 4-9). JT has grown in confidence and is working independently to research and complete coursework assignments. She ensures that her work is based on validated research and is accurately referenced. JT is continuing to develop her writing style, she uses relevant examples and case studies to explain the business concepts.

Student progression to HPS6F

 

 

Chart 8

 

The bar chart in Chart 10 shows that the Level 3 Cambridge Technicals are a popular choice for HAA and HPS6F the year 12 GCSE pathway students. In three of the eight courses delivered in year 12, HAA and HPS6F students make up more than 70% of the class. Art & Design, Business and Health and Social care all have 73% and 71% of students who progressed from level 2 courses at the Academy. Media and Joinery are 44% and 40%.

This can be attributed to the students having the opportunity to study the courses as a level 2 option and enjoying the subject. Subjects were offered as GCSEs, Cambridge National Level 1/2 or City & Guilds Multi-skills. At level 1 and 2 students are exposed to the programme of study and have developed foundation skills required for the next level of study including: research; assignment writing; knowledge about the key principles in each subject area.

Cambridge Nationals level 2 are now offered in Creative Media and Sport Studies to provide students with more opportunities to pursue a broader range of post 16 options including apprenticeships, vocational courses at level 2 and 3 or A levels. 

Year 13 Cambridge Technicals Pathway

27 CTECH students completed their studies at the end of Y13 in the 2019-20 academic year and the majority came from challenging backgrounds. These students require additional support to access, remain on and achieve their programmes of study. This includes:

• 48% male and 52% female.
• 37% of students receive access arrangements varying from extra time in examinations to readers and scribes.
• 20% of students are on the SEN register and 5% hold an Education Health Care Plan.
• 56% of students have non-educational challenges, including: disadvantaged and LAC; medical including mental health; CSE including abuse and neglect; victims and perpetrators of crime and complex SEND requirements.
• 2 students were successful applicants for the Kirwin-Davies award which provides financial support to students who have socioeconomic and personal challenges during their studies.

Year 13 Destinations - CTEC

There were 27 students taking Level 3 CTEC qualifications in Business, Digital Media and Health and Social Care.  From this specific cohort, 13 male and 14 female students; 24 students are from an ethnic minority background; 5 have SEND and 1 student has an EHCP.

20/27, 70% of students completed UCAS applications; 19/27 went on to take their place at University, one student AA started his own Internet based business.

Table 9

Table 10

Chart 9 shows, 11/27 students have applied to London based universities with London South Bank University being the most popular. The University of Northampton was also a popular choice.  Student decisions about the choice of university were based on the courses offered. Referring to Chart 12, 6 students have opted for health and social care related courses including nursing and midwifery and social work; both courses are very competitive, they provide excellent career and progression prospects. It was testament to the students’ commitment to the UCAS process and preparation for the interviews which supported their success at securing their places.

Students were encouraged to consider the quality of the courses offered at the university and look at data including student satisfaction surveys when they made choices about which universities to select as their firm and insurance offers. They were advised against accepting unconditional offers as this could be indicative of a course which is in low demand thus reducing their employment prospects on course completion.

 From the 8 students who did not apply to university 1 is doing a construction course at South Thames College; 1 has started his own business; 5 are in employment including early years, a law firm, JD Sports and 1 is NEET. The careers adviser has referred the NEET student to Bromley NEET team.

Table 11

Chart 13 depicts the destinations of the 7 students who did not attend university. 3/7 are in employment including retail and security; one student is doing work experience with a law firm (GBB); 1 student has started their own business (AA), one student is NEET and has referred to the careers adviser for follow up support.

Case study JE was a student from Harris South Norwood, he completed the GCSE resit pathway in 2017-18, he then started the CTEC in Digital Media, securing a DDD. JE was a student who struggled with examined units but had an exceptional ability with using photoshop software to edit and produce films.  JE successfully applied and took up a place to study Media and Communication at De Montfort University.

Year 13 Construction Pathway

Context

There were 22 students, (including 3 female students) on Construction pathway completing City & Guild courses in Joinery and Bricklaying at the end of Y13 in the 2019-20 academic year and the majority came from challenging backgrounds. These students require additional support to access, remain on and achieve their programmes of study. This includes:

• 86% male and 14% female.
• 73% of students receive access arrangements varying from extra time in examinations to readers and scribes.
• 41% of students are on the SEN register and 5% hold an Education Health Care Plan
• 77% of students have non-educational challenges, including: disadvantaged and LAC; Medical issues including diabetes and mental health; CSE including abuse and neglect; victims and perpetrators of crime; complex SEND requirements including ASD.

Year 13 Destinations City & Guilds - Construction  

 

The students completing the City & Guilds Level 2 Bricklaying and Joinery qualifications were required to complete the practical components for specific units and submit evidence in their portfolios. This meant that they were required to attend the Academy in the summer term to complete their assignments. As a result of the additional course demands, this cohort are still in receipt of careers guidance from HPS6F to support the 5 students who are currently trying to secure a destination. 11/22 of the students are working or are in training to further develop their practical and technical skills through further study including engineering and mechanical maintenance. This will help to secure future employment in maintenance of sites as they will become multiskilled professionals.

Case Study EQ is a student with additional learning needs, who struggled in social situations. He completed the resit GCSE programme in 2017-2018, then studied the City & Guilds Construction course and secured his Maths and English GCSEs. EQ enjoyed developing practical carpentry skills and completing his practical portfolio. EQ has now progressed onto an access to Engineering course, this will allow him to become a multiskilled trained professional and will improve his chances of gaining employment and higher-level apprenticeship options.