Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is a planned programme within our curriculum which helps to provide our students with the knowledge and skills so they can best plan for their future and make informed decisions regarding potential career pathways.  The foundations of CEIAG are:

• Careers Information – including exploring options, skills, occupations, labour market information and progression routes.
• Careers Advice and Guidance – personalised help from specialist advisers, most notably the Careers Service of Northern Ireland, to help identify long-term goals and plan steps to attain them.
• Work-Related Learning – experiences within and outside of the curriculum that help students learn about economic well-being, careers and enterprise.

At Key Stage 3 students embark on a programme of skills and knowledge development which continues through to Post 16.  The focus of the Key Stage 3 programme is on helping students become aware of their skills and qualities and particular skills and qualities that best suit certain career families. It also introduces students to careers management, work in the local and global sector, enterprise and entrepreneurship and the changing world of work.  Prior to making KS4 subject choices, students are given the opportunity to investigate a growing career area and are given personalised information to help them with choosing KS4 subjects in a wise and informed manner.

At Key Stage 4 our aim is to ensure that our students are fully informed and prepared for their future career pathway.

In the careers department we work with a number outside agencies to host career talks and workshops for our students in preparation for life beyond Year 12. Students explore global connections and the impact of global links on the Northern Ireland economy and job market. Furthermore, every student is given an opportunity to complete a personal career plan, and towards the end of year 11 all students complete a career guidance interview application form which allows all students to access support and impartial advice from the careers service of Northern Ireland.

At the beginning of Year 12 students complete ‘Kick Start Your Career’ induction programme followed by a having a personalised careers interview with the careers service of Norther Ireland.  Throughout the year they are closely guided on the best future pathway for them and they have an opportunity to examine and analyse the skills and qualities necessary for partaking successfully in employment. Every student is afforded an opportunity to complete their progress file which incorporates important documents such as a CV and personal statement which will prove useful as the student progresses onto the next step of their career pathway.

At Key Stage 5 students focus on personal career planning, labour market trends, career management, potential Further and Higher Education courses, CVs, job application and interview skills.  UCAS application techniques are offered for those wishing to progress to university.  All students have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers within employment and from within Further and Higher Education.  They participate in job market workshops and benefit from personal careers planning interviews.

Queen’s Junior Academy

The Junior Academy at QUB offers pupils in Years 9-14 the opportunity to learn more about Higher Education and life at university.  The programme aims to develop decision making skills so that young people are equipped with the appropriate information to make informed educational and career choices, it helps them to develop their academic skills and supports attainment.

Year 9 students apply to be part of the programme and embark in participating in a Welcome Event at Queen’s University/by zoom

In Year 10 the students will be invited to take part in various taster day events, such as the Medicine, Health and Life Science and Digital Technology

In Year 11 students are given two study skill days and our Year 12 students are involved in two support days in Mathematics and English.

In Year 13 pupils can become involved in the three day residential at Queen’s University Belfast and in Year 14 students are invited to ‘Shadow a for student day’.

Students interested in Law can apply to the Living Law Programme in Year 13.  A wide range of speakers are invited to school to support the work of the Careers department such as the Nuffield Science placement projects.  All students on a two year programme in Year 13 can participate in work experience.

Through the schools involvement in the Area Learning Communities (ALC), Year 14 students applying to Nursing and Midwifery can have specific support for their interview as part of their application process (Multiple Mini Interview)