Golden careers service at Market Rasen school

High quality advice on life after school has seen Market Rasen’s De Aston School receive the Career Mark Gold accreditation.
Dan Willars and Simon Porter EMN-201103-085649001Dan Willars and Simon Porter EMN-201103-085649001
Dan Willars and Simon Porter EMN-201103-085649001

The Market Rasen school has been recognised for the high quality of the careers advice and guidance provided to its students.

De Aston has placed careers support at the heart of its learning and, in 2012, appointed a head of vocational and careers education to respond to the request of parents and students who wished to see more of a focus on this area.

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The school was subsequently awarded the Career Mark for the first time in 2015.

The new Gold accreditation represents the school’s third consecutive award, and the report explained it acts as “recognition of the school’s long-standing commitment to career learning for its students.”

Dan Willars, De Aston’s Head of Vocational and Careers Education, said: “I’m delighted that the quality of our careers support to students has been recognised with the Career Mark Gold.

“We’re committed to ensuring that our students are as well-prepared as possible for the next phase of their lives after school, while also supporting the needs of our local and national communities to grow and meet future economic and labour market needs.

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“We want students to be inspired about the world of work and motivate them to achieve their goals and aspirations.”

The assessor also commented that the school is on track to fully meet the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, a careers framework that all schools should be following by December 2020.

All learners at De Aston, including Boarding House and Sixth Form students, have the opportunity to take advantage of a range of careers advice and opportunities.

In Years 7 to 9, students are taught about different job roles and career paths, as well as learning about self-reflection and decision making in dedicated tutorial lessons.

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In Year 10, the focus turns to work experience and learning about the day-to-day experience of working, which is followed by individualised careers guidance in Year 11.

Students also receive support from the careers advisor with their post-16 options in the form of regular interviews.

Mr Willars continued: “For Sixth Formers, the support continues, however the focus changes to the development of their chosen career with opportunities for a two-week work placement, university summer school,De Aston School entrepreneurship activity or the completion of professional qualifications and learning.

“Students can also take advantage of tutorial support to help them with UCAS applications to university, or source apprenticeships, college courses or employment.

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“Level 2 Sixth Formers also have the opportunity to undertake extended work placements throughout Year 12.

“Importantly, students across all year groups also have the opportunity to attend a regular careers fair hosted at the school, providing students with the chance to explore career options and talk to a number of organisations from different industries.”

•Career Mark is a Licensed Awarding Body for the Quality in Careers Standard — the national careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) award.

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