Careers
Careers Education is an important part of our provision for all students at Walney School. Careers advice is integrated throughout the curriculum to enable our students to make real world connections between their studies and their future.
The senior leader with responsibility for Careers and Enterprise education is Mrs Allison Redshaw, deputy headteacher and Careers Leader, with support from Mrs Kristie Lourie, Careers Coordinator. Both can be contacted via the 'Contact' page on this website.
Mission Statement
“At Walney School we aim to provide careers guidance that raises aspirations, challenges stereotypical thinking (in terms of gender etc.) and develops life- long learning skills in our students. We aim to ensure that, when they leave Walney School, 100% of our students enter sustained employment, education or training and that this is the most appropriate level for them.”
We are passionate about inspiring our students to be the best that they can be and to reach for the stars in their future career choice. We endeavour to provide students with the best careers advice they deserve and need.
Personalised and progressive careers advice and guidance is available throughout the school years.
Year 7 - An emphasis on self-awareness, dealing with transition from Primary School to Secondary School and working on social skills. This includes work on recognising talents and skills to raise confidence and aspiration. Students are encouraged to develop skills through extra-curricular activities.
Year 8 - Students learn more about themselves, their motivators and personality types. Students learn about different sectors and job roles and where to look for careers information. They explore how to budget and plan for their futures and financial well-being.
Year 9 - Options. A programme designed to support students through the process of choosing KS4 options. This includes opportunities for students to visit universities and get involved in activities which promote employability skills and enable students to recognise their own skills. Students, along with their parents have access to all subject teachers at an Options evening. Advice is available to develop the understanding of option choices. Students are actively encouraged to choose a balanced timetable based upon their interests and skills.
Year 10 - Post 16 options preparation begins. Students explore the link between personal qualities, enterprise ability, qualifications and career development. They take part in an Employability week, in which they are able to visit local further and higher education colleges, have encounters with a large number of employers and employees from the local area and have opportunities to develop soft skills e.g. teamwork, leadership, communication, time management. They also receive independent advice and guidance on the labour market information on the career opportunities in our area, interview techniques and CV writing. All students in Y10 take part in a week's work experience which is w/c 9th June 2025.
y10 2025 work experience introduction.pdf
Year 11 - Students receive information through several assemblies, open evenings and Futures Friday events to support the exciting opportunities of post-16 Education and training. This includes assistance with any application process. Employers and training providers will give detailed information on local apprenticeship and training opportunities. Students receive group and 1:1 careers guidance interviews. We work in partnership with Inspira to ensure that all students have the information and guidance they need to progress to the next stage of education, employment or training.
Baker Clause Policy (provider access)
This policy statement sets out Walney School arrangements for managing the access of providers to every student in Years 7-11 to discuss both academic and non-academic routes that are available to them as part of a holistic careers programme enabling all our students to make an informed choice about their post 16 provision. This is also measured regularly against the careers standards of the Gatsby Benchmarks using a Compass Plus Assessment framework and evaluation with students, teachers, and SLT as part of a progressive careers programme.
Walney School proactively seeks to build relationships with 6th Form schools, colleges, apprenticeship providers, universities and employers as we plan our careers programme and careers activities throughout the school year to ensure all our students have access to the most up to date careers information at key transition points and that providers have multiple opportunities to speak to students and where possible, their parents, across Y7-11 to offer information on vocational, technical and apprenticeship qualifications and pathways.
Walney School ensures that all staff involved in personal guidance and pastoral support are up to date with their knowledge through a programme of Continuing Professional Development.
Management of Provider Access Requests
Providers wishing to request access should contact:
Mrs Allison Redshaw, Deputy Headteacher and Careers Leader
Telephone: 01229 471528
Email: aredshaw@walney.cumbria.sch.uk
