As part of our Careers Provision at JTHS all students have access to the following:
Extra-curricular clubs and trips support students in developing their understanding of a range of different subjects. A list of extra-curricular clubs and trips is available on the school website.
- All students can attend the careers clinic drop-in service
- All students have access to the careers section of the school newsletter, careers section on the school website and careers and university section in the LRC. External opportunities are advertised to students.
Students with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND):
- Transition from one key stage to another and onto careers is part of the action plan for a student with SEND.
- Personalised support from the SENCO, careers advisor and external bodies is used where appropriate.
Students in receipt of Pupil Premium funding:
- Personalised support will be given to these students and they will receive an extra careers appointment in Year 10.
Careers Advisor and Local Enterprise Partner:
At John Taylor High School, there is an independent Careers Advisor, provided by an external provider, who works alongside the CEIAG Coordinator. The CEIAG Coordinator meets regularly with the schools Local Enterprise Partners to develop a Careers Development Plan for the school. This is in line with Gatsby Good Careers Guidance.
Year 7 Aims
- Develop understanding of personal interests and motivations
- Commence engagement in understanding the world of work
- Begin to understand what motivates us to pursue a job or career
Year 8 Aims
- Develop further understanding of their personal interests and motivations
- Develop further their understanding of the world of work
- Develop further understanding of what motivates us to pursue a job or career Relate their personal qualities to the world of work
Year 9 Aims
- Students will make better informed choices for their Options
- Students will have exposure to a variety of career sectors
- Further Develop understanding of personal interests and motivations.
The Options programme for Year 9 is designed to support students in their GCSE choices. Please see the pastoral curriculum plan for Years 7-9 for further details of this provision.
Students in Year 9 will have the opportunity to take part in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. A large majority of students participate in this.
Year 10 & 11 Aims
Further develop understanding of personal interests and motivations.
Students will ready themselves for the world of work
Students will develop their understanding of employment skills.
Students will be better informed of their future career pathways.
All students have the opportunity to have a one-to-one careers discussion with the school Careers Advisor to inform individual Careers Plans.
A number of students every year will take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The majority of students participate in the Bronze Award. Many students participate in the Silver Award.
Extra-curricular clubs and trips support students in developing their understanding of a range of subjects. Students are given advice and guidance about what to participate in e.g. the National Citizenship Service.
The Options programme for Year 11 supports their Post 16 choices. Every student has the opportunity to meet with a member of the Senior Leadership Team and House Learning managers individually and with parents to discuss Post 16 choices. Please see the pastoral curriculum plan for Year 10-11 for further details of this provision.
Year 12 & 13
There is a range of support for university, apprenticeship and employment applicants through:
- A weekly tutorial, as part of the curriculum. This is run once a week for Year 12 & Year 13. (Outline plans can be requested from the Sixth Form team)
- Students in the Sixth Form are encouraged to visit university open days, masterclasses, taster courses and summer schools at a variety of universities, to develop their application profile. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) helps develop invaluable research and independent learning skills which are central to higher education. All students and parents are invited to a Next Steps evening in the spring term of Year 12 to explore Post 18 Options.
- There is a dedicated team to support students with the UCAS and Apprenticeship application process. Each student will have support tailored to their application from a subject advisor, their form tutor and the Sixth Form team.
- Students choosing to apply for an apprenticeship or employment will have a dedicated tutor to support the application process.
- Interview preparation, practice and workshops are led by departments and the Sixth Form team. These often include using volunteers from a range of business and Higher Education backgrounds.
- There is preparation for and support with aptitude and pre-admissions test.
- The pastoral curriculum for Years 12-13 includes lessons on life at university, including on finances.
- Charity fundraising and enterprise activities are encouraged e.g. the Young Enterprise competition, Sixth Form social activities including Quiz and show and charitable house activities led by House Leaders.
- Sixth Form students are encouraged to undertake volunteering and work experience to support their university/apprenticeship applications. A range of opportunities are advertised throughout the academic year, as appropriate to specific students.
- A number of students every year will take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award. At Sixth Form, this will usually mean Gold or Silver.
Work Experience Provision
The aim of work experience is to provide an opportunity for all Year 10 and 12 students to learn in the work place; an experience that cannot be replicated in school.
All students are strongly encouraged to complete 5-days work experience in December for Year 10 students and in June for Year 12 students. Work experience forms a vital component of the Sixth Form curriculum and students are encouraged to arrange their own work experience. The school has links with many large businesses and organisations e.g. Burton Hospital, St Georges Park etc, Hoar Cross Hall, Tippers, Burton College and more.
Parents are informed and communicated with throughout the process and a work experience information form are completed.
The school will check that the placement meets with the school’s requirements, the students will be treated fairly and they will undertake meaningful work. All students on placement are covered by the employers’ insurance and places of work are risk assessed.
Work Experience Year 10 Parental Feedback
-My son had an excellent experience due to the placement provider really thinking about how to expose him to all aspects of the business. There was a clear plan in place, sent to us in advance, they were excellent.
-My child really enjoyed exploring different aspects of our business and interacting with a wide range of colleagues. I believe he particularly valued his time with the project engineers, where he was involved in raising quotes and supporting project-related tasks.
-My child gained confidence.
-Thank you for making the time available for this opportunity.
-I think its incredibly valuable and gives the children some real world perspective on what work is actually about.
The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development is exceptional. (Ofsted, May 2025)
