Careers
At Litherland High School, a primary objective of ours is to empower students with the essential knowledge, skills, and qualities needed to advance seamlessly into higher education and, ultimately, into their desired professions. With an emphasis on practical tasks and a curriculum that is catered to the unique needs of our learners. Employing a comprehensive school-wide strategy, we integrate careers into our curriculum, ensuring a well-rounded approach to student development.
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance
We have a whole school approach to careers, with all staff supporting the delivery of CEIAG within all curriculum areas and also through the pastoral system.
Aims
All students are entitled to high quality career education and guidance as part of their education curriculum offer. As a school we are a key member of the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub and the Careers Leader along with the Enterprise Advisor network, Independent Careers Advisor, Curriculum Leaders, External Providers such as Career Connect, Sefton Elevate, Link Governor and employers strive for continuous improvement to build on each of the Gatsby benchmarks.
Our school is committed to all 8 Benchmarks
- A stable Careers programme
- Learning from Career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experience of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal Guidance
Objectives
- To establish connections between subjects and careers
- To enhance employability and enterprise skills, such as teamwork, problem solving, initiative and communication.
- To encourage students to plan and take control of their future by making educated decisions at important transition points in their education
- To provide students with the necessary vocations inspiration and direction that is suitable to their unique needs including age, ability, attitudes and aptitudes
- To support students, have an awareness of post-16 and post-18 opportunities, such as apprenticeships, FE, HE, job, and training opportunities
- To help pupils to reflect on their abilities, skills and aptitudes
- To offer students impartial guidance regarding their options
- To give everyone equitable access to career inspiration and direction
Year 9 Careers Programme
Overview
Our Year 9 Careers Programme supports students at a crucial stage in their educational journey by providing the careers education and guidance needed to make informed decisions about their GCSE option choices. Through reflection on personal strengths, aspirations, and vocational pathways, students are encouraged to develop moral decision-making, personal responsibility, and active participation in community life, fostering growth in both character and future planning. We aim to deepen students knowledge and understanding of careers choices post 16.
Programme Structure
The programme combines financial education and careers guidance to help students make sound decisions about their future, enabling them to recognise their potential vocation and contribution to society.
Core provision includes:
- Annual Careers Fair in Term 2, providing opportunities to explore a wide range of career pathways and post-16 options
- 'Meet the Professionals' events throughout the year, where students engage directly with professionals to discuss career pathways and real-world experiences
- GCSE options guidance linking subject choices to future career plans and aspirations
- Equality in the workplace education, helping students explain and identify workplace equality
- Financial education to support informed decision-making for the future
Learning Outcomes
- Through this programme, students will:
- Develop opportunity awareness to choose suitable option subjects aligned with their career plans
- Build decision-making skills to select subjects that match their career interests
- Understand and identify equality in the workplace
- Develop a deeper understanding of their subject interests and personal qualities
- Discover self-awareness and recognise their unique strengths and potential
- Make informed GCSE option choices that support their future pathways
- Recognise their vocation and how they can contribute to society
Year 10 Careers Programme
Overview
Our Year 10 Careers Programme prepares students for the world of work through practical experience and essential workplace knowledge. The programme builds towards a 5-day work experience placement in the summer term, ensuring students are equipped with the understanding and skills needed to make the most of this valuable opportunity. They also gain a deeper understanding of career option and opportunities, choice of college and apprenticeships.
Programme Structure
Students begin by reflecting on their careers journey from Key Stage 3, discovering their skills and qualities whilst developing practical employability skills. All students attend the Careers Fair to engage directly with employers, apprenticeship providers, local Colleges, and Universities. Selected students also have the opportunity to attend a taster day at a local College.
Core provision includes:
- Health and safety in the workplace education, including research into workplace safety issues and how they can be overcome
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) awareness, understanding the types of PPE available and how they keep workers safe
- CV creation to showcase skills, qualities, and achievements
- Careers assembly delivered prior to work experience in the summer term
- 5-day work experience placement in Term 3
- Post-placement debrief with student voice evaluations to reflect on learning and experiences
Learning Outcomes
Through this programme, students will:
- Develop awareness of their rights and responsibilities in the workplace
- Understand how to stay safe from exploitation
- Identify health and safety requirements and PPE in different work environments
- Build decision-making skills for their future careers
- Create a professional CV showcasing their achievements and potential
- Gain valuable real-world experience through their work placement
- Have a thorough understanding of career options post 16.
Year 11 Careers Programme
Overview
Our Year 11 Careers Programme is designed to support students in their final year of secondary education by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for life beyond school. Through a comprehensive and targeted approach, students consolidate their understanding of personal wellbeing and future planning whilst preparing for their next steps. This includes an opportunity for mock interviews with local businesses, individual appointments with careers advisors and a chance to visit our careers fair.
Programme Structure
The programme begins with an introductory Careers assembly in Term 1, where students learn about the career initiatives they will engage with throughout the year.
Core provision includes:
- Careers education and guidance on post-16 pathways, exploring Sixth Form, College, Apprenticeship, and Employment options
- Study skills programme promoting effective revision strategies, time management, and wellbeing during exam preparation
- One-to-one career guidance with an external Careers adviser
- Tutor Careers Lesson weekly for personalised career awareness and education
- Application form workshop to develop essential application skills
- Interview preparation, covering techniques, skills, confidence, and self-esteem
- Employer mock interviews with professional employers
- Post-16 assembly on Sixth Form, College, and Apprenticeship options prior to examinations
Learning Outcomes
Through this programme, students will:
- Make informed decisions about post-16 destinations
- Understand the differences between Sixth Form, Apprenticeships, Colleges, and Employment
- Develop knowledge of Labour Market Information (LMI) linking to job markets and salaries
- Build essential personal development skills including decision-making, organisation, and communication
- Cultivate a positive mindset and raised aspirations for their future
- Understand what an interview may entail and be prepared for future college/work interview
Gatsby Benchmark
We are pleased to announce that we are working towards the Gatsby Benchmark as is the expectation from the Department for Education, the Local Authority and also ourselves as a school.
The Eight Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are structured training programs that combine on-the-job work experience with formal education or training. During an apprenticeship you work for an employer while simultaneously learning and developing skills related to a specific trade or profession. These programs typically involve a combination of hands-on training, classroom instruction, and mentorship.
The apprenticeship model allows you to gain practical experience in a real work environment, receive instruction from experienced professionals, and often earn a wage or stipend. It is a pathway for you to acquire the skills and knowledge required for a particular occupation while actively participating in the workforce.
T-Levels
T-levels (Technical Levels) are a type of technical education qualification in England, introduced as part of educational reforms. T-levels are designed to offer students a vocational and technical alternative to traditional academic routes, such as A-levels.
Careers Leader: Ms K McAnally
Email: kmcanally@mylhs.org
Phone: 0151 - 212 3323
Contact us for further information or to arrange a lunchtime drop in. .
