DYW Interesting Practice – Woodfarm High School: A whole school approach to career education
Woodfarm High School in East Renfrewshire has developed a holistic approach to career education for learners at all levels in order to equip them with the necessary skills to fully realise their aspirations in life.
Using the Career Education Standard (CES) an audit had been undertaken to embed the entitlements for young people into the curriculum. In partnership with employers and parents, learners are fully engaged in maximising opportunities to enhance career education across all aspects of learning. This includes initiatives such as a S6 Career Ambassadors programme, business breakfasts, presentations to challenge career stereotypes, an S2 STEM project and a ‘Skills week’ across all subjects.
In reflection of the Work Placements Standard the school has developed a flexible, fully integrated model that provides work-based learning opportunities for learners at various stages of their development.
Integral to the new approach at the school is the engagement of staff. CLPL opportunities are on offer during inset days and collegiate time and a ‘Teaching and Learning Community’ has been established to collaborate with employers in order to coordinate and enhance work-based learning opportunities.
Woodfarm HS has also developed a ‘Employer Partnership’ database in connection with the local authority and East Renfrewshire’s Chamber of Commerce in order to enhance the quality and scope of experiences for learners around the world of work. As a result young people have the opportunity to visit local business, engage in work shadowing and extended work placements, practice interview skills and CV writing and find out about careers, including Modern Apprenticeships, through career evenings, talks, 1-1 sessions and enterprise activities.
Read the ‘Interesting Practice summary sheet to find out more about the career education programme at Woodfarm: dyw-int-practice-summary-woodfram-hs
Watch the film clip about the S3 DYW day
