Strategic Lead for Careers and Character: Miss C Turnbull Email: cturnbull@themast.co.uk Tel: 01484 865444
School Governor overseeing careers: Mrs M Barnard
The Careers Department at Scissett Middle School provides information, advice and guidance to pupils on a wide range of issues that help them build the skills they will need for working life.
The world of work has undergone significant changes in recent years and continues to do so and it is therefore even more important that we equip our pupils with the necessary skills for them to make decisions about their future, to know how and where to access information and to link subject areas and qualifications with possible career choices.
We recognise that for our pupils the world of further education, higher education and the world of work is still a long way away. Our careers programme aims to showcase all of the pathways that are available to pupils once they leave school in a way that not only informs but one that also inspires. We believe this early exposure gives our pupils a head start in this vital and exciting curriculum area.
In 2022 the school achieved the prestigious 'Quality in Careers Standard Award' for the high quality careers programme on offer.
We offer:
- A stable career programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG)
CIAG is available to all pupils, to enable them to make decisions about their education and careers choices. An overview of the service that is offered at Scissett Middle School can be seen below.
Careers Resources
We have a full range of careers resources in our School Library. Elements of the Careers curriculum are covered in many subject areas as well as in Life Lessons. We have a pupil job announcement board, students are encouraged to complete application forms and have formal interviews for jobs such as prefects, librarians, school shop, open evening caterers etc.
Careers Fair
Throughout their time in our school, pupils have have the opportunity to attend a range of careers fairs and events, both within and beyond the curriculum. Each year we take the whole of year 7 to the 'Getting up to speed with STEM' event; a live, annual one-day showcase event which aims to introduce, inform and inspire pupils about the world of work in Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing (STEM) sectors. All pupils are also invited to attend the annual careers fair at Shelley College. A variety of other careers events both locally and nationally, often online, are publicised by the school.
Delivery & Content of Programmes
Pupils in all year groups receive pastoral and tutorial support and support during Learning for Life lessons.
Careers Documents
Curriculum Content
In Year 6 pupils will:
- Complete a mock interview in Drama
- Attend an assembly on Careers Information
- Attend an assembly on What is an Apprenticeship?
- Attend assemblies on different industries
- Complete Well Being in Life lessons
- Work on Careers booklets in form time – What do I want to be when I grow up?
- Attend a school trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tour – Careers in the workplace
- Complete Money Matters in Life lessons
- Attend an Enterprise event – School Fayre – to raise money for charities
- Work on a careers Maths Project – Theme Park Maths
In Year 7 pupils will:
- Complete Well Being in Life lessons
- Attend an assembly on Careers information
- Attend an assembly on What is an Apprenticeship?
- Attend an assembly on different industries
- Attend an assembly on the Labour Market
- Attend an assembly on Female/STEM apprenticeships
- Attend an assembly on ‘Options and Shelley College’
- Complete a Careers programme in Life lessons
- Visit Magna for a STEM career exhibition
- Careers in the curriculum drop down day
- Wellbeing drop down day
- Science week – Careers in the curriculum
- Visit Quarry Bank Mill – Careers from the past
- Help to run an Enterprise Summer Fayre
- Interview Skills Workshop
- Careers fair
In Year 8 pupils will:
- Complete Well Being in Life lessons
- Attend an assembly on Careers information
- Attend an assembly on What is an Apprenticeship?
- Attend an assembly on different Industries
- Attend an assembly on the Labour Market
- Attend an assembly on Female/STEM apprenticeships
- Attend an assembly on ‘options and Shelley College’
- Complete a Careers programme in Life lessons
- Careers in the curriculum drop down day
- Wellbeing drop down day
- Science week – Careers in the curriculum
- University Visit – Huddersfield/Leeds (some specialised, Medical, Engineering, STEM)
- Work on an English Careers project – Journalism
- Careers Fair
- Visit to workplace – Yorkshire Wildlife Park
- Invited to be part of the Schools Career Journalist Competition
- Apprenticeship roadshow
- CV workshop (1/2 day)
- Build your future Careers Carousel (1/2 day)
Student Entitlement
- Careers guidance from a suitably qualified professional
- Be treated with respect
- The opportunity to gain the skills that you need to prosper in your chosen career
- Information about all the options open to you at 14, 16 and 18 years of age
- Be referred for extra support if you need it and other agencies where appropriate
Regional labour market summary
The creative and media sector continues to grow in the region, following Channel 4, Sky and other major organisations' arrival.
The region has seen growth of its gaming, hair and make-up and creative hubs, such as the Barnsley's Digital Media Centre, which has recently grown by up to 100 jobs in its digital and creative hubs.
The continued growth of the regions digital, legal and financial services sector has attracted a large Australian company to open new offices in Leeds creating hundreds of new jobs.
There has also been further growth in the regions specialist science sector and the region's plans to be a leader in offshore wind technology continue to develop. The food sector is growing its range of new products, including plant-based foodstuffs.
In construction, the picture is mixed with two of the region’s large companies, Clugston and Bardsley, going into administration. Companies with projects linked to new technologies are growing but other parts of construction more reliant on the public sector and infrastructure are struggling. The industry also has problems with skill shortages in some craft trades and in plant operations.
The manufacturing sector is also experiencing a mixed picture with advanced manufacturing expanding but older style production struggling. Large retail companies are still experiencing problems on the High Street with many seeing Christmas sales down on previous years.
More specialist consumer businesses such as Skopes and Mulberry and smaller, local specialist retailers are doing better.
Further information
For further information on Careers Advice and Guidance, you can access free support from the National Careers Service online or by phone on 0800 100 900.
Useful Links for Pupils
The Institute of Engineering & Technology
Useful Links for Parents
Useful Links for Teachers
Information for Employers
Would you like to engage with the school and your potential clients and employees? Activities to get involved with are:
- Deliver a spotlight or working lunch session – come and speak to our pupils about the career path you have taken to provide them information on specific career areas.
- Offer a workplace visit – our Year 7 and 8 students really find visiting real places of work extremely valuable.
- Join our Alumni network and find out about employer events and opportunities within school.
- Follow our school on social media, we will let you know about any upcoming events that you may want to be involved in.
- Find out more about engaging with schools and consider signing up for ‘Give an hour’ (specifying Scissett and Kirkburton Middle School when you sign up) Employers (futuregoals.co.uk)
If you are interested in working with either school please contact scissettoffice@themast.co.uk
For more information on how your business can get involved with schools: Careers and enterprise
Advice for Muslim Parents
Under Sharia law paying interest is prohibited.
For any Muslim parents who would like information on university cost please see this website.
Advice for Parents of SEND pupils
Disability Rights UK has some excellent careers advice. Please click here.
Wider Team
Enterprise Coordinator
Sharon Le Goff
The Enterprise Coordinator (EC) will sit at the heart of a local cluster system to help schools and colleges improve their careers and enterprise activities and to engage with the world of work.
Working closely with the Skills Lead, the EC will ensure the Enterprise Adviser Network (EAN) is embedded into the Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) skills strategy and make it easier for employers and the self-employed to engage with schools and colleges. Through establishing the local and national contexts the EC will focus everyone’s efforts on programmes and activities that are most effective in motivating young people, supporting independent choice, and supporting positive outcomes for young people.
Enterprise Adviser
Anita Wilsher
Anita Wilsher is Managing Director of A.L.L. Recruitment Ltd, an established Wakefield based company which prides itself on connecting local businesses and staff in a friendly and efficient manner. With over 20 years experience within the recruitment industry, Anita’s business experience puts her in the ideal position to speak knowingly about the different elements that go into running a business such as products, service, sales, finance, marketing and leadership.