Key Staff and Responsibilities

Careers Lead

Mrs L Sutherland, Associate Assistant Headteacher : lsutherland@coombedean.co.uk

Careers Mentor

Mrs J Cooper, Careers Mentor: careers@coombedean.co.uk

Careers Provision
Careers provision at Coombe Dean School is fully mapped to address the national framework for good careers guidance known as ‘The Gatsby Benchmarks’. They are listed below:

1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

Careers Education

Careers Education is delivered to all our students from Year 7-11 as part of the Personal Development Curriculum and on one Applied Learning days in March.

In Year 7 our students experience links with local employers during the Applied Learning Days that link to careers and key roles.

In Year 8 the focus is on Employment Areas and understanding local Labour Market Information.

In Year 9, students study employability skills. As part of the Careers Learning Day in March students will be given an aspirational choice of University to visit for the day. This included Falmouth, Plymouth, Marjon’s and Exeter linking this with the area of careers they are interested in. They also are given support with their ‘Choices’ activities that complement the Year 9 Option Process.

The emphasis in Year 10 is on Employability and Work Experience. All Year 10 students are required to complete a week of Work Experience during Enrichment Week, which takes place in the summer term. 

In Year 11, activities are designed to support our students in making their Post 16 decisions. This includes visits to the Apprenticeship Roadshow in Exeter Arena. As part of the Careers Learning Day in March students will be given an aspirational choice of University to visit for the day. This includes Falmouth, Plymouth, Marjons and Exeter linking this with the area of careers they are interested in.

Finally, during the Sixth Form our students complete a range of Employability and Careers activities as part of their tutorial programme including a visit to the Higher Education Conference and a work experience placement in the summer of Year 12.

In addition to the Careers Curriculum we offer a range of Careers Enrichment events, through the Careers Department and across different subject areas and departments. These include: South West Skills Conference, You’re Hired! University Visits (Plymouth University, Exeter University, Marjon’s and Falmouth), MADE with Next Steps South West, Why would you workshop.

Careers Information
We have a dedicated Careers Area where our Work Experience Lead is based. In addition, the Post 16 block houses a range of Careers, Apprenticeship and Jobs Information alongside the UCAS and University Information. In September we run an trip to Employability Fair for all Y11 and Y12 students. 

Careers Advice and Guidance
Careers advice and guidance is viewed as an ongoing level of support for students at Coombe Dean. The Careers team works closely with the Pastoral Team based in Inclusion, the Post 16 Team and Tutors in order to secure the best outcomes for our students. The Careers team supports the Year 9 Option Process. Careers advice is always available at Curriculum Evenings in Years 9 – 13.  In Year 10 students will develop careers information throughout year 10 and they receive an individual interview in Year 11. Careers advice and guidance continues to be available in the Sixth Form where students can book individual interviews with the Careers Advisor.

Work Experience and Employability
All Year 10 and Year 12 students are required to complete a Work Experience Placement. This will take place on Monday 8th July to Friday 12th July 2024. 

Partnerships
We are especially proud of the strong working partnerships we have with local businesses and employers including apprenticeship providers Greenlight, Babcock, Princess Yachts, Skills Group and Next Steps South West.

Newsletters

Please see below to view our Careers newsletters.