Careers

Deloitte LJM

Careers Education

In Careers we aim to raise awareness of the importance of CEIAG through the school and help pupils to achieve their full potential. We have a pupil centered curriculum, which is underpinned by the Gatsby Benchmarks:

  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

    All KS3 students, Year 12 and post 16 pupils receive weekly dedicated Careers lessons to continue to provide an outstanding programme of careers education, information and advice that satisfies national requirements and provides guidance which enables us to address the career development needs of all our students. All KS3 students also participate in Employability lessons, in the third term. 

    Careers advice and Guidance

    In St Patrick’s Academy, pupils may avail of personalised advice and guidance from specialist Careers teachers within the school and/or external Careers Advisers.

    Pupils, and parents/guardians, may make an appointment to meet with a specialist Careers Adviser to assist them in making informed and considered decisions in terms of education, training or employment.

    This is particularly important for pupils in Year 12 and Post 16 study. In Year 10 and Year 12, pupils have the opportunity to engage in a Guidance Interview with a member of the Careers Department before making their final GCSE or AS subject choices.

    Each year, the Careers Department of St. Patrick’s offers post-examination results support to pupils.

    In order to fully prepare our senior pupils their future careers, we provide a range of opportunities and services in school.

    Working closely with our Outreach correspondents we ensure our students are fully prepared for their Oxbridge applications, through advising on personal statements and external reading, to helping with assessments and interview preparation.

    Extra-curricular provision

    The Careers Department contributes extensively to the school’s extra-curricular provision. Extra-curricular activities include:

    • Work Shadowing
    • Visits to University Open Days
    • Programme of Guest Speakers
    • Careers Inspiration Events
    • Guidance Interviews
    • DfE Careers Service Interviews (Year 12)
    • Parent Information Evenings/documentation and Parent Guidance Interviews
    • Past Pupil Presentations
    • Post Examination Results Support
    • HLA Interviews preparation
    • Oxbridge Interviews preparation
    • MMI Interview Guidance, and evening event
    • Scholarships such as JP McManus, UU’s Talented Athlete, UU Community Scholarships
    • Cambridge/Oxford summer school

    Facilities and Resources

    The Careers Department has a designated Careers Library containing a range of literature related to Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. The department has access to ICT facilities Guidance Interview Rooms

    Allumni Testimonials

    At St Patrick’s we have an intricate network of alumini, who are willing and able to assist our pupil’s in their visions for the future. We fully utilise these links, in the form of guest speakers, mock interview preparation and work shadowing opportunities.

    Mock Interviews

    Each pupil receiving an offer of interview will meet individually with a member of the Careers team to help prepare them for the challenges they may face. Hosting our annual MMI event with career professionals has proved extremely beneficial in successfully preparing our students for their future careers aspirations

    Industry Links

    The school is participating in the MEGA Ambassador programme, to ensure the manufacturing and engineering industry in Mid-Ulster has a continuous skilled talent pipeline and that our young people are aware of the range of careers in this field.

    We also work alongside local accounting firms to provide Higher Level Apprenticeship opportunities for our pupils. Our local schools, special schools and care homes have also been very supportive of our pupils, offering them opportunities for work placements and shadowing opportunities.