Ridgeway Futures

The Futures programme is the name we use for careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG).

Aims of the Futures programme

• raise student aspirations and broaden horizons
• inspire and empower students to make informed and realistic decisions at key transition points in learning and work
• provide good quality, independent and impartial careers advice to students, which inspires them and motivates them to fulfil their potential
• provide advice and guidance that is in the best interests of the individual student
• provide opportunities to work in partnership with employers, training providers, local colleges and others to provide opportunities to inspire students through real-life contact with the world of work
• develop enterprise and employability skills, including skills for self-employment
• support inclusion, challenge stereotypes and promote equality of opportunity

Key staff

Futures Coordinator
Miss R Cotter
Telephone: 0151 678 3322
cotterr@ridgeway.wirral.sch.uk

Futures SLT Link
Mr J Ducker (Assistant Headteacher)
Telephone: 0151 678 33 22
duckerj@ridgeway.wirral.sch.uk

Curriculum and Options
Ms E Williams
Telephone: 0151 678 3322
williamsl@ridgeway.wirral.sch.uk

Career Connect Adviser
Ms F Rafferty
Telephone: 0151 678 3322
Faye.rafferty@careerconnect.org.uk

Link Governor for Futures
Mr J Weise

Students’ entitlement

• To find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities as part of a careers programme that provides information on the full range of available education and training options
• To hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer – including technical education and apprenticeships – through options information events, assemblies and group discussions, taster events and inspirational talks
• To understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and apprenticeship courses

Outline of the Futures programme

(INFORMATION TO FOLLOW SHORTLY)

Measuring the impact of the Futures programme

The school’s progress towards achieving the Gatsby benchmarks is evaluated using the online Compass tool. The Futures coordinator carries this out on an annual basis.

The effectiveness of our careers programme is reviewed using the externally-accredited Career Connect Quality Award. We are currently working towards achieving this status.

The effectiveness of our careers guidance will be reflected in the higher number of students progressing to ‘positive’ destinations such as apprenticeships, technical routes, sixth-form colleges, further education colleges, universities and employment. Destination data (DfE) is used to assess how successfully students make the transition to the next stage of education, training or employment and to inform future CEIAG provision.

A designated governor has responsibility for overseeing the quality of careers guidance. The SLT link for Futures reports to the link governor for Futures.

The Futures coordinator and SLT link review the Futures policy on an annual basis and governors ratify this.

The Futures programme is planned and reviewed annually.

If you would like further information about our Futures programme, please contact our Futures coordinator, Miss R Cotter.

Career Connect provides access to independent careers advice. Students receive independent and impartial Futures advice with qualified careers adviser Faye Rafferty, who works in school one day a week. Ms Rafferty is also available at parents’ evenings, options information evenings and ‘welcome to’ evenings.