Continuing Education
Staff
Mr N Duck
Aims
We seek to underpin the work of the ‘academic’ departments by ensuring that our students have a secure foundation of social, moral, cultural and economic awareness, which provides a framework in which learning is enhanced.
As the students’ intellectual curiosity and maturity develops, they are encouraged to reach out beyond the confines of their academic studies to learn from each other, and to express themselves clearly and coherently. Throughout their education at Handsworth and after they leave, we provide the resources, opportunities and professional guidance to help students make appropriate careers decisions and gain the experiences which enable them to aim high, and achieve their ambitions.
We are proud of the level of support and guidance which we provide through both formal timetabled sessions, and the extensive ‘drop-in’ service offered to students.
Key Stage 3
All students in Years 7 to 9 engage in ‘Enrichment Days’ which enable the topics to be delivered in a structured and informative manner by Form Tutors and other teachers, with visiting guest speakers providing their specialist knowledge. Careers Education and Guidance is embedded in the topics and pupils are encouraged to independently explore possible career paths.
Key Stage 4
All students in Years 10 & 11 engage in ‘Enrichment Days’. As in KS3, this enables the topics to be delivered in a structured and informative manner by subject teachers, with visiting guest speakers providing their specialist knowledge. Careers Education and Guidance is embedded in some of the topics and is enhanced by additional staffing in order to prepare students fully for the world of work through work experience opportunities. Pupils have access to independent advice and guidance (IAG) from external providers to assist in their career planning.
Key Stage 5
Students in Years 12 & 13 are given or participate in other programmes which are designed to inform and stimulate the minds of our senior students. Students’ perceptions are challenged, and their knowledge of subjects outside their specialist areas grows, alongside an appreciation of how ideas develop. Year 12 have a structured programme of work experience, community service and higher education institution visits to support the UCAS process in the summer term.
Careers Education and Guidance is delivered through group discussions and one to one meetings throughout the two years. Students have extensive opportunities to consider their future careers and are guided in preparing their own career plans. All but a very small handful of our students choose to study at university and are successful in achieving their final university choices. Considerable time is spent helping students to prepare their applications and monitor their progress throughout the sixth form and after the exam results are released.