St Dunstan’s School aims to promote a culture of high aspiration and high expectation. Careers Education is recognised as playing an important role in motivating our pupils, promoting equality of opportunity and maximising their academic and personal achievements. We are committed to providing a planned programme of Careers Education through PSHE lessons, planned tutor time activities as well as assemblies, work experience placements and relevant trips and visits to help prepare them for the opportunities and challenges of adulthood.

Careers guidance is of significant importance for young people today; the landscape of education, training and employment opportunities that students need to navigate is more complex and more challenging than that faced by previous generations. The raising of the age for participating in learning means that young people face a wider range of choices of courses and places to study. Qualifications such as GCSE and A level have changed, and opportunities in higher education extend now beyond the UK to other parts of Europe and further afield. Students need help to make choices and manage transitions: they need good quality careers education, information, advice and guidance.

Careers education does not just mean informing students about their options after school but also how their school career will affect their futures. It is our statutory duty to ensure that all pupils receive independent, impartial advice and guidance regarding all options within school as well as  how they will affect their options after school and which careers pathways will become available to them. Beginning Careers Education early means that students can make better informed decisions at transition stages and are more motivated in school in order to follow a particular pathway. By helping students with decisions at crucial stages, informing them of all their options and introducing them to the world of work, we aim to prepare them for life after school whichever path they choose.

Careers Policy

St Dunstan's School Careers Programme

St Dunstan's School Provider Access Policy Statement

Securing the Gatsby Benchmarks:

The Gatsby benchmarks are a set of eight National standards set by Government for securing a stable and effective careers programme. The link below is the latest review of these standards and St Dunstan's school. more information on The Gatsby benchmarks can be viewed under the engagement heading below.

St Dunstan's Gatsby Benchmarks

Contact details for the staff responsible for overseeing the careers programme:

Careers Lead – Mr I Ward - Iward@stdunstansschool.com

• Students are encouraged to identify personal traits, strengths and skills and develop confidence and have high expectations of themselves.

• Students are introduced to careers resources and informed how to use them.

• Students are introduced to the world of work and how it is constantly changing.

• What is important in a career? Students are encouraged to investigate different jobs and careers, what they mean in terms of lifestyle, budgeting and a good work/life balance as well as developing economic awareness.

• Students are encouraged to challenge stereotypes within the world of work and traditional job roles.

• Students are encouraged to think about the kind of behavior potential employers look for.

• All Year 11 students have a 1-2-1 careers interview with our independent careers advisor.

• KS3 and Year 10 students can request a 1-2-1 careers interview to help further explore their options during school and beyond.

• Students should use careers interviews to help understand different career pathways and entry requirements, agree personal action plans with the careers adviser for the future and identify what specific action is required to achieve their goals.

• Students are helped with post 16 choices and encouraged to consider all their options including further study in college/ 6th form and apprenticeships. Interview techniques are developed.

• Specific mock interviews for those with a particular career path in mind are also available.

• Students are encouraged to attend careers talks, fairs, college open days and taster days.

• Students are assisted with CV writing and encouraged to have completed a CV and cover letter.

• Students are kept up to date with post 16 deadlines. 

 'Information on changes being made to admissions by Bridgwater and Strode Colleges, as a result of Covid-19, can be found at the end of this document.'

The careers page on the main school  website highlights key events from the careers programme, dates for key events including college open evenings and the work experience database link. Here you can also find links to external websites that offer advice and guidance relevant to post-16 and careers choices.

The Careers section in the main school Library develops students' independent learning skills and all Year 11 students will be encouraged to schedule time devoted to their own career exploration activities. The Library is open to students every day and the  Careers section contains general and specific information about different types of occupations as well as an extensive collection of prospectuses for further and higher education. 

The Student Noticeboard is kept up to date signposting to post-16 options, apprenticeship vacancies and many other opportunities. There are dedicated college boards in the dining hall next to a range of literature including prospectuses and careers advice booklets.

Further resources are available from our independent careers advisor who will meet with all Year 11 students, as well as other students at key transition points (Yr 9 options for example) and parents/carers if requested. Mrs McKinley will be available during Yr9, 10 and 11 Parents' Evenings to provide advice or support to parents/carers and students. She can be contacted by email jmckinley1@stdunstansschool.com 

Resources and events which may be of interest to students can be accessed via the HotSW Careers Hub Padlet .  

St Dunstan's aims to provide a broad range of information and updates to students, parents, providers and the community throughout the year. The updates will help to provide information about the careers education, information, advice and guidance provided. A parent, staff and student questionnaire will be completed annually beginning in the summer term of 2020 the results of which will be used to inform updates to careers provision for the following academic year. Engagement from parents/carers and employers is welcome, if you are able to support our Careers programme in any way please contact us.

10 Ways to Achieve Careers Education at Home Click here

Parents Resources for Careers Click here

Youth Employment Help Click here

Step into Strode - Information for Yr11 students Click here

For further information regarding Government requirements for Careers advice and guidance in school please see below: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-strategy-making-the-most-of-everyones-skills-and-talents

For information regarding apprenticeships you can visit amazingapprenticeships.com  Which is packed with useful tips and articles.

Strode College Website Click here

Bridgwater College Website Click here

Bridgwater campus  Click here 

Cannington Click here

Yeovil College Website Click here

We believe in the ability of each of our students to fulfill their potential and become the best they can be. We do this by offering a broad and diverse range of subject and qualifications to suit the needs and learning styles of all our students.

The courses combine real-world experience with academic rigour and fantastic employability. By studying with us, you’ll be given all the support you need to go in whichever direction you choose. Our tutors meet with students regularly to offer encouragement and guidance and, if needed, extra support.

Of course, this year, I’m sure the main question on your mind is about the steps we have taken to ensure the College is a safe place to study and work in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our students’ success and welfare are at the heart of everything we do. We are currently monitoring and following government advice and will continue to do so and have put steps in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff.  For more information about our approach please click here.

I could not be prouder to be the Principal of this amazing college.  With the support of our large network of tutors and staff, students have demonstrated their resilience, innovation, perseverance and positivity throughout this unprecedented time and I feel sure that, as we move forward, we are in a good position to deal with the changing COVID-19 situation.

This year, we will be changing the way we do things, so please, keep coming back to the website, follow us on social media and join us for our online virtual open days and campus tours where you will get a real feel for this amazing college.