Kirkby High School hope to develop engagement and aspiration of our young people through a variety of events, activities and talks. 

Our Careers curriculum begins in year 7 where students are encouraged to consider their skills and personality to better understand the options that they might choose. This is completed in PD lessons and extended form time. We explore the ideas of careers and jobs and what it means to be employed. Students are also invited to attend university workshops and have access to local employers at our annual careers' fayre. This gives all students the chance to raise and maintain aspiration as they start life at KHS. All students will have 6 careers lessons per subject each year, showing potential job and career routes from each subject our students' study.

In year 8, students are given the opportunity to speak to a variety of experts including employers, apprentice providers, college staff and universities during our careers fair. All Year 8 students receive a talk from a local apprentice provider, giving information about apprenticeships. We hope by the end of year 8 they will have a detailed understanding of the breadth of careers that are available to them and what skills an employer might be looking for. This is supplemented with further work done in extended form time about life in higher education.  

In year 9 our young people make their subject choices, and we encourage them to really reflect on their opportunities by providing a detailed choices curriculum with the support of Apprenticeships, University and College staff. All students are given the opportunity to meet individually with a member of the SLT to discuss options. Through our annual careers fair, our year 9 student will have the chance to meet representatives from local colleges and training providers that they can apply to when leaving KHS which will provide impartial guidance for all students. We also have workshops with careers connect that help all our students to carefully consider their next steps into KS4. A variety of colleges will attend our parents evening to give parents and students support in making the correct GCSE choices. All year 9 students will also have an opportunity to visit another local university and college to showcase the range of higher and further education opportunities and courses that are available. We hope this will help to break down barriers to HE and help students realise that university is an option regardless of their current situation. 

In year 10 our focus changes to developing aspirations and striving for achievement. In addition to the annual careers fair, students will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from a variety of colleges and universities as well as understand the various levels of apprenticeships on offer. All students will go on work experience which provides a fantastic opportunity to sample the world of work. We encourage all students to find their own placement, increasing their resilience and aspiration skills. We have a detailed, six-week course of lessons in PD that allow out students to be ready for their placement. Typically, employer feedback is fantastic, with our students gaining valuable LMI too. Later in the year, students visit two colleges (WLC and KCC). This allows them to sample life after KS4 and make informed decisions about their next steps.

In year 11, students will be given the opportunity to receive 3, 1:1 interviews with a member of staff from careers connect to discuss their plans for life after Kirkby High School. Here they can map out their career goals and the various routes to that career. All parents evenings will be attended by apprentices, colleges and a variety of universities to help students and parents make the best choices after they leave KHS.  In year 11, students’ form time and PD days will focus primarily on their options in post-16 education and the application process. Staff will also support students apply for their chosen destinations. Colleges and apprentices will also give assemblies to make sure all students receive the breadth of information that will help them make the most informed choice.