Careers info for Parents

Hi, I’m Mrs Parry and I am the Careers Coordinator for Kingsdown School. I have many years of experience working with and supporting young people and vulnerable adults both operationally and strategically as I also serve as a Borough Councillor and Chair the Children’s Health,

Social Care & Education Overview & Scrutiny Committee. Supporting, championing and advocating for young people is my absolute passion and I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to do this in my role here at Kingsdown, my role within the Council and also within the community. I am delighted to have played a part in transforming the Careers Centre from just a bit of a dingy room at the end of the library into a real student friendly space, highlighting the importance of Careers Education and filled with information to support students which is open to all year groups. I work very closely, in partnership with Jess Hill from Study Higher and together, we provide students with impartial Careers Advice, Education, Information and Guidance.

As a parent or carer, helping young people to decide on their future is a real challenge; there are so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know what is right. Our role in Careers is to ensure you have the support available to do just that. Every student will have been provided at least one Careers appointment by the time they reach the end of Year 11 but I do have very much an open-door policy which means students Years 7-11 are very welcome to pop in and see me as and when they need to. Impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance is provided to support our young people to make informed choices about which Post-16 (after Kingsdown) route will best suit their academic and personal needs and their aspirations.

Please take a look at the links below, which we have gathered together to provide you with impartial information and advice. If you have any questions, of feel you
would benefit from some further guidance, please feel free to get in touch bparry@kingsdownschool.co.uk (01793) 822284 Ext: 118).

Additionally, we are always looking for external speakers, and would really love to hear from any parents/carers and alumni, who would be happy to support our Careers programme in this way. If you feel you can support us with this, please contact me on bparry@kingsdownschool.co.uk

Labour Market Information:

All pupils and parents/carers should have access to quality information about future study and work opportunities. Labour Market Information (LMI) can be used to make decisions on which career pathways to choose and how to enter these, and is usually based on certain areas.  Below you will find a recent update on the Labour Market that you may find useful.

• careers-LMI_July_19_South_West.pdf
• workwiltshire.co.uk/lmi/

Useful links:

• www.careerpilot.org.uk – can access the Parents Zone
• www.prospects.ac.uk – job profiles, particularly for jobs requiring degree-level qualifications, advice on CV and cover letter writing.
• www.ucas.com – lots of information on higher education
• www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/ - apprenticeship vacancies and information
• careers-Parent-Pack-November-2019.pdf – Amazing Apprenticeships parent pack, Nov 2019.
• www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/ - engineering-specific information
• kingsdowncareers.wordpress.com/ - for recent events and updates
• www.cirencester.ac.uk
• www.new.ac.uk
• www.swindon.ac.uk
• www.wiltshire.ac.uk

Or see Mrs Parry for a prospectus.

We are pleased to be working with the following companies, who help to support and develop our careers programme:

 
•   Study Higher www.studyhigher.ac.uk/
 
•   Fantastic Futures www.villierspark.org.uk/fantastic-futures
 
•   Network Rail www.networkrail.co.uk/