Careers at Snowflake
At Snowflake school we are committed to providing all our students with a personal development program that ensures they are well equipped for moving into further education.
Our career education consists of workplace encounters, workshops developed by external professionals and careers learning embedded in the curriculum.
The careers program in Snowflake School allows pupils to make the informed choices needed to fulfill their potential. It will be split into the three learning pathways-Bulb, Branch and Blossom. Careers will be delivered by teachers and tutors.
Parents and carers will receive updated information on career pathways and progression routes, educational institutions, courses, qualifications, entry requirements and costs.
The careers program is based on the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks:
- A stable careers program- Every school and college should have an embedded program of career education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.
- Learning from career and labour market information- Every student, and their parents, should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of available information.
- Addressing the needs of each student- Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student. A school’s careers program should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.
- Linking curriculum learning to careers- All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.
- Encounters with employers and employees- Every student should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.
- Experience of workplaces- Every student should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks
- Encounters with further and higher education- All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace
- Personal guidance- Every student should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all students but should be timed to meet their individual needs.
All our students have a personal development program that ensures they are well equipped for moving into further education on completion of their time at Snowflake School.
Accreditation
Our Secondary site currently offers accreditations on four separate ASDAN preparation for adulthood courses. Evidence is collected on a weekly basis, in connection with the thematic curriculum.
Transition Challenge: Sensory
The Sensory Transition Challenge offers a range of learner-centred activities to increase independence in self-help whilst facilitating bespoke levels of support. The course offers a developmental perspective for learners with complex learning needs and rewards incremental steps in achievement. This can look like trying new food textures, engaging with therapists, visiting the local community and experiencing new leisure activities.
Transition Challenge: Introduction & Progression
The Introduction & Progression Transition Challenge also offers learner-centred activities to increase their independence Learners begin to explore subject-specific skills that support their future independent living skills for adult living and in their local community. This can look like community trips, subject-specific lessons, creating displays, reading and completing self-help tasks.
Transition Challenge: New Horizons
New Horizons is an activity-based curriculum which supports the delivery of PSHE, Citizenship and Careers Education. The activities also offer opportunities to develop communication and numeracy skills in a life-skills setting. This can include learning about bullying, relationships, British values and identifying safety hazards.
Transition Challenge: Workright
Workright provides a framework to develop a range of basic transferable employability skills to support our learners to complete tasks safety to a required standard. This involves focusing on 4 core areas of employability: health and safety at work; responsibilities in the workplace; working with others and you at work.