Careers Guidance

Empowering students of character for success and fulfilment in the world of work

Aylesford School is committed to providing high quality Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) to all students.  We believe that CEIAG is important for a number of reasons. The effects of CEIAG are that it:

• Empowers and prepares young people to gain and sustain enriching employment.
• Raises student aspirations to reach for their full potential which in turn improves school attainment.
• Supports young people in developing the necessary confidence, knowledge and skills to plan for and manage their own future.
• Promotes diversity, social mobility and challenges stereotypes.

Aylesford School is proud to partner with colleges, HE providers, businesses, parents and other external agencies in order to offer broad and effective support to our students. We also benefit greatly from being a KMPF (Kent & Medway Progression Federation) School. This gives us access to numerous excellent opportunities provided by our local universities. Our CEIAG provision aims to:

• Give students relevant careers information and guidance through curriculum learning, one-to-one advice and a range of activities, events and trips.
• Display the full range of routes available to young people post-16 and post-18 and to provide personal guidance regarding how to explore them further.
• Impartially support students on an individual basis to choose the pathway that is right for them.
• Expose students to the world of work through Year 10 and 12 work experience placements as well as curriculum related workplace visits.
• Enable students to consider their own strengths, skills and motivations and to evaluate how these impact future career decisions.

At Aylesford School we are proud to provide an experienced Careers Leader, Mr Doggett, who oversees our Careers Provision. Mr Doggett is a professional Careers Adviser who has a Level 6 qualification in Career Guidance and Development.

At break and lunch times, students are welcome to drop in to Mr Doggett’s office opposite T2. Alternatively formal appointments can be set up by emailing or phoning Mr Doggett on the contact details below.

Email: ben.doggett@aylesford.kent.sch.uk
Phone: 01622 717341 ext 238

Aylesford School’s CEIAG provision is designed to support students through the different stages of their journey through school. Relevant and targeted guidance is given at each key transition stage to ensure students’ develop the necessary understanding and skills. This provision is reviewed and developed annually and will next be evaluated in July 2023. A more comprehensive overview can be seen here:

Aylesford School Careers Programme 2022/23

Key focus for each Year Group
As can be seen in the plan above, the careers activities that each Year Group participates in is tailored to the needs of that stage within the students education. The overall aim for each Year Group is:
• In 7 and 8 the focus is on exploring interests and motivations and developing a broad understanding of the world of work.
• In Year 9 the focus is on building aspirations and exploring career opportunities in more detail, including challenging stereotypes.
• In Year 10 the focus is on developing self-presentation skills and understanding what employers want.
• In Year 11 the focus is on making plans and applications for post-16 learning.
• In Years 12 and 13 the focus is on preparing the students to make good choices, engage in work experience, and understand personal development.

We welcome any businesses, education institutes or training providers who would like to present to our students. Please contact Mr Doggett if you wish to discuss this further. For more information please read our careers and provider access policy:

CEIAG Policy

Looking for a job vacancy for when you’ve finished 6th Form? We are regularly sent opportunities for apprenticeships or jobs that our students can apply for. If you are in 6th Form then email Mr Doggett for access to the Padlet board where these are collated.

Unsure about what careers to consider in the future? Have a look at this comprehensive tool for discovering what kind of jobs you may be suited to:
www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/skills-health-check/home

The National Careers Service also offer a helpline and web chat in case you’d like to speak with someone about your career questions:
www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us

Check out this fun quiz to discover what careers your personality type might be most suited to:
www.icould.com/buzz-quiz

As a school we utilise the wide range of resources on Start Profile. This involves entering your interests, work preferences, skills and qualities to receive tailored career suggestions as well as a variety of other useful features. Please contact Mr Doggett for the school’s unique code:
www.startprofile.com

For those interested in studying further at university, the UCAS website contains a wealth of information around how to choose specific courses and universities as well as tips for making your application:
www.ucas.com

If you are considering an apprenticeship then check out the governments handy guide and search tool:
www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch

If you want to explore some of the alternative options to university, have a look at this useful site:
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk 

If there are other helpful sites that you are looking for then email Mr Doggett, our Careers Leader, for some tips! ben.doggett@aylesford.kent.sch.uk