Q4. How do teaching staff in your school link curriculum learning to careers?
Why is this important?
It is not always obvious to young people how the subjects they study at school can help them to gain good jobs in the future. It is therefore essential that subject teachers help young people to make connections between curriculum subjects and future careers. However, teachers may not have knowledge of local labour markets, skills gaps and awareness of the full range of different routes into jobs; many subject teachers will require training and support.
What strategic questions should you ask the senior leadership team about how to link curriculum learning to careers?
- What responsibilities do all teaching staff have for linking their subject to career development?
- How informed are school staff about local, regional and national skills shortages and opportunities for example in high demand areas, for example in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)?
- How is the integration of careers into the curriculum monitored, reviewed and evaluated?
Case study of good practice
In Boroughbridge High School, the Head of Drama had been concerned about the falling numbers of young people taking the subject at GCSE. This led to an initiative to improve focus on employability and transferrable skills developed in drama (e.g., confidence, communication and presentation skills). The drama teacher identified several local employers who had either studied performing arts or who had employed individuals with performing arts backgrounds. These have been invited into school to talk to students and parents about the relevance of the subject. The number of drama groups has now doubled from one to two being taught at GCSE.
Essential resources to support your school to achieve this Benchmark
Resources for school leaders and teachers:
- Resources to link curriculum learning to careers from been produced by CEGNET.
- Guidance on how to work with STEM ambassadors from STEM Learning.
- The STEM Insight programme offered by STEM Learning provides staff in schools and colleges a unique chance to experience STEM-related work in industrial or university settings.
Essential resources to support your school to achieve this Benchmark
- Guidance on how to set up a school STEM club from STEM Learning.
- STEM Learning’s e-library of teaching and learning resources has a repository for teachers which includes many useful resources and collections on STEM topics.
Other questions in Careers
- Q1. How does your school develop, manage and implement its careers programme?
- Q2. How does your school provide opportunities for pupils to learn from career and labour market information?
- Q3. How does your school address the career guidance needs of each pupil?
- Q5. How does your school ensure that pupils have multiple encounters with employers and employees which enrich their understanding of working practices?
- Q6. How does your school ensure that pupils receive relevant experiences of work places to help them to make career decisions?
- Q7. How does your school ensure that pupils receive relevant encounters with further and higher education and work-based learning providers to help them make career decisions about future learning options?
- Q8. How does your school ensure that all pupils have access to the personal guidance they require to help them make informed career decisions?