Careers
The Careers Department aims to put pupils ‘in their element’.
Careers provision in St. Mary’s seeks to offer pupils opportunities that will inspire them to become effective career decision makers, empowered to manage their own career development while embracing the full spectrum of career pathways open to them.
SPECIFIC AIMS OF THE DEPARTMENT
The Careers Department aims to:
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enable pupils to identify, assess and develop the skills and qualities necessary to choose and implement an appropriate career plan;
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support pupils to acquire and evaluate information and review experiences to identify and investigate appropriate career pathways and learning opportunities in education, training and employment, locally, nationally and internationally;
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develop pupils’ skills in career planning and decision-making to manage transition; and
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support, advise and guide pupils to make suitable career development choices.
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM
At Key Stage 3, Careers Education is delivered through the Employability strand of the Learning for Life and Work programme. Through Employability, pupils have the opportunity to explore a wide range of careers, as well as developing an awareness of their personal skills and capabilities. In addition to this, Year 9 and Year 10 pupils have a dedicated Careers lesson once per fortnight with a member of the Careers department. Year 10 pupils are offered extensive support and guidance in choosing GCSE subjects. This includes the option of an individual Careers Guidance Interview prior to choosing GCSE subjects.
YEAR 8 CURRICULUM
In Year 8 Employability, pupils study the following topics:
Work in the local and global community
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Work in Northern Ireland
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Buying and selling worldwide
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New technology
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Health and safety
Career Management
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What am I good at?
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Thinking about my career
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Investigating jobs
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
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Are you an enterprising person?
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Having a good idea
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Going into business
YEAR 9 CURRICULUM
In Year 9 Employability, pupils study the following topics:
Work in the local and global community
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The global economy
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Different jobs for different people
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Environmental issues
Career Management
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Skills and achievements
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Changing careers
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What does an employer look for
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Career opportunities
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
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Skills for an ‘Entrepreneur’
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Being your own boss
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Celebrity entrepreneurs
YEAR 10 CURRICULUM
In Year 10 Employability, pupils study the following topics:
Work in the local and global community
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Challenges and changes
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The local community
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Rights and responsibilities at work
Career Management
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The next step
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Options for employment
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Essential skills
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Careers advice
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
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Enterprise at work
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Social enterprise
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Small businesses in the community
OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM
In the Careers Department at Key Stage 4, pupils are guided towards making informed decisions about Post-16 pathways. Employability is delivered over one lesson per fortnight. Year 12 pupils also have a dedicated Careers lesson once a fortnight with a member of the Careers Department.
YEAR 11 EMPLOYABILITY
In Year 11, pupils study the following topics:
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How to Find Employment?
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Job Search - The Recruitment Process / Job Advertisements / NI Job Finder
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The Application Process
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Application Form V Curriculum Vitae
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Completing the Application Forms
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The Selection Process / Aptitude Testing
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List the Results – Top Five Job Trends
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Becoming an Entrepreneur
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Creating a Product - How to Design, Market and Sell
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Product Presentation and Review
YEAR 12 EMPLOYABILITY
In Year 12, pupils study the following topics:
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Team Work
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Leadership
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Effective Working Practices
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Effective Communication
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Starting a Business
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The Entrepreneurs’ Experience
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Corporate Social Responsibility
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Social Responsibility: Employers and Employees
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Fair Trade
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Health & Safety
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Working Futures
YEAR 12 CAREERS EDUCATION
In Year 12, the Careers Education Programme includes the following topics:
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Exploring Post-16 Pathways
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Choosing A Level Subjects
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Further Education
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Apprenticeships and Training
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The Application and Selection Process
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Careers Research
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Personal Career Planning
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 AS and A2 Level, Careers is delivered over one period per fortnight with the opportunity for additional individual careers guidance meetings and relevant workshops. The Careers Department helps guide students to make informed decisions based on their career aspirations and their personal skills and qualities. Careers classes provide guidance on:
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Exploring Opportunities in Further and Higher Education
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Job Research
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Work-related Learning
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University Course Research
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Application and Selection Processes
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Student Finance
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Higher Level Apprenticeships
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Gap Year
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Transition to Higher Education
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Interview Preparation
Year 14 Parents HE APPLICATIONS INFO Booklet 2023/2024
CAREERS ADVICE AND GUIDANCE
In St. Mary's, 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, Year 13 and Year 14. 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. Mary’s offers post-examination results support to pupils.
YEAR 12 SUBJECT CHOICE
Year 12 Subject Choice Parents Meeting Online and Careers info letter - Jan 2024Year 12 Subject Choice 2024 Parent Presentation Slides
Skills in Demand Barometer Infographic
http://www.stmarysmagherafelt.com/i/video/Y12_Subject_Choice_-_Parent_Presentation_2024.mp4
http://www.stmarysmagherafelt.com/i/video/Navigating_Course_Websites-2023.mp4
WORK-RELATED LEARNING
In St. Mary's, pupils are encouraged to gain experience of the world of work in career areas that may be of interest to them.
In Year 13, all students are encouraged to participate in the Work-Shadowing Programme which provides students with the opportunity to spend time in companies and organisations as well as a wide range of virtual work experience opportunities and work-related learning talks and workshops.
Following a programme of classes in Interview Skills, Year 14 students are encouraged to participate in the Mock Interview Programme and the Multiple Mini Interview Event. As part of this programme, a panel of professionals from a wide range of career areas and representatives from universities attend St. Mary’s to interview Year 14 students. Students are assessed on their performance in the interview and are provided with detailed feedback to enable them to identify their strengths and their areas for improvement.
DESTINATION OF PUPILS
Each year, St. Mary's students are successful in securing places in university or employment. On average, 95% of our students pursue pathways into Higher Education.
You can click on the attachments to see the destinations and courses followed by our pupils in recent years.
FINANCE
Click on the links below for information on Higher Education Finance
https://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/higher-education/student-finance
ADDITIONAL SUBJECT INFORMATION
EXTRA- CURRICULAR PROVISION
The Careers Department contributes extensively to the school’s extra-curricular provision. Extra-curricular activities include:
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Work Shadowing
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Mock Interview Programme
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Visits to University Open Days
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Programme of Guest Speakers
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Careers Inspiration Events
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Guidance Interviews
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DfE Careers Service Interviews
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Parent Information Evenings and Parent Guidance Interviews
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Past Pupil Presentations
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Post Examination Results Support
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Training for UCAT , HPAT – Ireland, LNAT, BMAT Tests
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HLA Interviews
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Oxbridge Interviews
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MMI Interview Guidance and Preparation
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 an ICT suite and Guidance Interview Rooms.
CAREERS INFORMATION
The Careers Department liaises closely with the Head of Department for each subject area to ensure that pupils studying in each department are fully informed about career progression opportunities linked to particular subject
