Skip to main content

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance is the term that refers to the full range of discrete and integrated activities and events provided by St Patrick’s Grammar School, training providers and external agencies. These activities and the resulting skills will allow learners to make informed choices and decisions about their future education, training and employment.

Through our Careers Provision, we seek to offer our students opportunities that will inspire success, empowering them to manage their own career pathways through the development of necessary career management and employability skills.

Overview of Key Stage 3 Curriculum

At Key Stage 3, Careers & Employability is taught as part of the Learning for Life and Work framework (LLW), alongside Citizenship and Personal Development. Careers is a key element of this work, and as well as being included in discrete classes, Careers is also taught across the curriculum with each departmental area informing learners about jobs relating to their subject.

In all subject areas we strive to teach our students skills which will help them prepare for the world of work whilst enabling them to learn about the wide range of careers available to them.

In Year 10, pupils are offered support and guidance in choosing GCSE subjects and work centres around supporting, advising and guiding students in making informed choices that enable them to successfully manage the transition to Key Stage 4. We strive to help our students develop career plans which take account of their own personal skills, and which apply knowledge of career exploration opportunities.

Overview of Key Stage 4 Curriculum

In Year 12, students have one timetabled lesson of Careers and Employability per week and follow a careers-based programme which is aimed at helping them prepare for their Post 16 choices.

Our CEIAG programme in year 12 includes the following topic areas:

  • Exploring Post-16 Pathways
  • Choosing A Level Subjects
  • Researching Higher Education Courses
  • Further Education Courses, Apprenticeships and Training.
  • Careers Research
  • Personal Career Planning
  • The Application and Selection Process
  • Creating effective CVs

Overview of Key Stage 5 Curriculum

At Key Stage 5, the Careers Department offers advice and guidance on the range of career options available at both higher and further education level. At this level, careers classes are delivered every week with additional opportunities for individual careers guidance meetings and relevant workshops.

We aim to help guide our students to make informed decisions based on their personal skills, qualities and careers aspirations.

Careers classes cover areas such as:

  • University Course Research
  • Opportunities in Further and Higher Education
  • Higher Level Apprenticeships
  • University Applications (UCAS and CAO)
  • Application and Selection Processes
  • Interview Technique and Preparation
  • Transition to Higher Education
  • Student Finance

Careers Events

To further enhance and support the delivery of CEIAG, St Patrick’s Grammar School runs a busy programme of events and visits, working closely with a range of outside agencies, employers, universities and colleges. The range of events on offer helps our learners to see the relevance and value of their studies in the world of work and to put their learning into context.

Typical Activities in Our Yearly Calendar Include:

  • University and College Visits
  • Hosting The University Roadshow
  • Hosting The Scottish University Tour
  • Apprenticeship Talks (Work+, Mega, Errigal Contracts, Kainos and McAleer & Rushe)
  • Personal Statement Workshop
  • Guest Speakers (local employers/professionals on a variety of career pathways)
  • Year 10 – Career Exploration Talks
  • Year 10 GCSE Options Evening
  • STEM Workshops
  • Post 18 Information Evening for Parents
  • Post 16 Options Evening
  • Preparing a Good CV Talk
  • Year 13 Work Experience Programme
  • Year 13 Mock Interview Day
  • UCAS Exhibition
  • Careers Guidance Interviews (The Careers Service)
  • Across The Border (Engineering Enrichment Activity -Year 13 Students)
  • Student Mentoring Experiences
  • Year 14 Student Finance Talk

Additionally, there are whole school Careers Google Classrooms for students in Years 10, 12, 13 and 14 which offer additional opportunities for research and career planning activities. These are used as a tool to communicate and raise awareness of CEIAG opportunities and events that may appeal to students own individual career aspirations and the pathways they wish to pursue.