Careers in the Curriculum
At David Nieper Academy, it is our aim that all students will develop detailed knowledge of careers and the world of work. In this way, students will: explore different career paths in a range of areas; understand working life and the role of business and industry in society; appreciate the local labour market, and value the role of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, we ensure that all subjects offer at least one careers-based learning sequence or applied learning opportunity as part of their key stage 3 curriculum. You can read about these opportunities here. In addition, our PSHCE curriculum contains a strand called ‘Living in the Wider World’. Through this programme we also ensure that all students become competent in career management and planning skills, as well as developing a range of personal attributes and behaviours required for the workplace.
Enterprise Curriculum
Students in Years 7 and 8 have a double lesson per fortnight called ‘Enterprise’. The aim of this curriculum is to develop students’ employability skills, whilst working on projects that will serve the local and wider community. For example, Year 8 students work with the NHS dementia team to create a ‘distraction box’, used by staff and dementia patients in NHS settings. We work with national companies, such as Natwest as well as local companies such as ‘Louby’s Bakery’, giving our students access to a wide variety of employers in different industries.
Each lesson has a specific employability focus including teamwork, communication skills, problem solving, public speaking, creativity and many more. If you are an employer interested in working with us, please contact swilcockson@davidnieper.academy.
Employability Workshops
As well as employer projects, students also take part in a variety of employability workshops to enhance their employability skills and behaviours. In Year 8, we welcome ‘Medical Mavericks’, who deliver a workshop looking at careers in STEM – particularly in medical and science-based settings. Students are able to use real medical equipment such as ECG machines, key-hole surgery replicas and a range of other scientific and medical equipment. They discuss STEM careers suitable for all abilities and routes into these after completion of GCSEs.
We also take part in employability workshops delivered by Bright Futures. The focus of these workshops are entrepreneurism, social and commercial enterprise and managing financial risk.
Careers in PSCHE
PSCHE education is a school curriculum subject through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy, safe and prepared for life and work. PSCHE education has an impact on both academic and non-academic outcomes for pupils, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. PSCHE also includes economic well-being and careers education.
Mapped to all the new guidance and PSHE Association coding, our schemes of work cover all statutory guidance in detail, including Gatsby Careers, Finance and Citizenship. PSCHE lessons are differentiated with PowerPoints, accompanying differentiated worksheets, clip links with questions, plenaries, clear learning objectives, starters, assessments and engaging activities.
Our careers lessons begin in Year 7 and continue through to Year 13 with lessons focusing on topics such as savings, loans, budgeting, apprenticeships, universities, employability skills, understanding tax and national insurance, entrepreneurism, workplace skills, CV writing and preparing for job interviews.
