Career Mark March Newsletter 2019

Dear Colleague,

We have now completed several Quality in Careers Standard assessments on the new Career Mark 7 standards were introduced.  Since January 2019 we have been assessing against the new requirements with 3 judgement outcomes:

• Deferred
• Making Good Progress
• Fully  meeting the Quality in Careers Standard national criteria incorporating the eight Gatsby Benchmarks

Bullet points two and three above are both to be celebrated and certificates and plaques are awarded to both. 

Providers have all valued the external feedback their Quality in Careers Standard has provided as part of their assessment so far. 

National Update

Ofsted – New Common Inspection Framework.  Ofsted have an open consultation period on their new common Inspection Framework due to be introduced in September 2019.   The new ‘quality of education’ judgement is based on Ofsted’s major research project on the curriculum. Specifically, inspectors will be wanting to understand if a school is offering a curriculum that is broad, rich and deep, or are they simply teaching to the test?  This is good news for careers and wider curriculum areas, have you reviewed it and had your say? You have until 5^th April 2019 to do so: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/education-inspection-framework-2019-inspecting-the-substance-of-education

For more information on how the framework affects you come along to the Complete-Careers Conference in Newark on 28^th March 2019 – http://www.complete-careers.com

More benchmarks anyone??  Education Secretary Damian Hinds has set out an intention to introduce new “benchmarks” for character education against which schools will be required to assess themselves.  Damian Hinds has expressed to build on the “five foundations for building character” – sport, creativity, performing, volunteering & membership and the world of work.   https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-plans-new-gatsby-style-benchmarks-for-character-education/

National Events – We are entering a congested period of national focus of careers related events such as :

World Book Day – 7^th March – I trust you are encouraging your 8 to 13 year olds to dress up as characters from the Bonkers Book of Jobs?! – https://complete-careers.com/product/bonkers-book-jobs-2/

National Apprenticeship Week 4^th to 8^th March – https://nawevents.co.uk/

National Careers Week 4^th – 9^th March  – for ideas and a resource pack see here: https://nationalcareersweek.com/

Primary Update

The Primary Careers and Enterprise Company bid for funding period has now closed and shortly we will soon discover the successful parties.  Bids were invited to ‘scale up’ existing programmes that work with careers activities in a primary setting, as well as for innovative new projects.  We will inform you as soon as we know more so that you can register for anything of interest. 

Career Related Learning in Primary – This paper, commissioned by Teach First,  provides evidence on the benefits of career development activities for children in the primary phase, and the range of teacher roles when delivering it. In doing so the research attempts to map what primary schools are doing to tackle the influence of socio-economic issues that affect children’s future transition to secondary school and beyond, how they approach career-related learning and how we can get a step closer to ensure best practice in primary career provision.  Complete-Careers (Career Mark Primary) took part in the research and feature in the report on pages 8, 40, 61, 63 – see here for full report: https://www.educationandemployers.org/research/teach-first-career-related-learning-in-primary/

Complete-Careers Update

Complete-Careers 4^th Annual Conference – will take place on Thursday 28^th March 2019 at Newark Showground.  The event will have a focus on implementing Gatsby and preparing for Ofsted.  We are thrilled that David Andrews is returning to the network to provide our keynote this year.  In the afternoon we hope to launch an exciting development in the landscape of careers in Lincolnshire.  Please note we have decided to extend the early bird discount rate until Friday 8^th March 2019, so book now if you haven’t done so already!  Remember you may be able to have your place funded by LiNCHigher, contact your Area Engagement Officer for more information.  See here for the conference invitation, agenda and booking form http://www.complete-careers.com

Career Mark Update

The Career Mark 7 training event was well attended on 30^th January 2019 with over 15 delegates attending.  All delated rated the course as either ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ for tutor knowledge and delivery, how well it achieved the stated objectives and how it equipped them to effect improvement.  The next training day will take place early next academic year.  If anyone is willing and able to host the training day it would be gratefully appreciated. 

The next Career Mark webinar will take place on Monday 6^th May 2019 at 3pm.  The webinar is free and will enable participants to fully understand the changes to Career Mark and how they should prepare for assessment or revalidation.  To book your place please contact contact@careermark.co.uk

All award holders should be receiving email reminders 6 months before award expiry, again at 3 months and a notification once expired.  We have experienced system problems which have now been resolved, but if anyone is unsure when their award expires or unsure of what they need to do please contact contact@careermark.co.uk

CPD events

We are offering three final CPD sessions this academic year as follows: 

Achieving Gatsby Benchmarks 1,2,4 and 7 – Thursday 16^th May 2019.  This day will provide practical hints, tips and examples of how to secure a Stable Careers Programme, embedded with LMI, subject links and inspiration activities.  The cost for the day is £125 and places may be funded by LiNCHigher – contact your Local Engagement Officer to enquire or contact us at enquiries@complete-careers.com to book your place.  See here for further course information – https://completecareers.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/EbudtKHyzLdJs8BJDYdHxH8B114gHrqo11ry2j_l5QRrSg?e=SI1XGV 

Achieving Gatsby Benchmarks 3,5,6 and 8 – Thursday 13^th June 2019.  This course will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to implement a careers advice and guidance system, exploring the different models associated and how to track, monitor and record effectively.  The course will also prepare participants to work in partnership with employers for encounters and experiences in the work place.  The cost for the day is £125 and places may be funded by LiNCHigher – contact your Local Engagement Officer to enquire or contact us at enquiries@complete-careers.com to book your place.  See here for further course information – https://completecareers.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/EbudtKHyzLdJs8BJDYdHxH8B114gHrqo11ry2j_l5QRrSg?e=Ow4B5G  

Level 3 Certificate in Careers Information and Advice – In an era where demand for careers support far outweighs supply, this course promotes a triage approach to work alongside a level 6 Careers Guidance Practitioner to provide the best possible support for learners.  The cost for the course is £545 to include two delivery days, course registration, full assessment and certification. Places may be funded by LiNCHigher – contact your Local Engagement Officer to enquire or contact us at enquiries@complete-careers.com to book your place.  See here for further course information – https://completecareers.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/ESJoI8HF5hVCiKtUtXwl_f8B1Ei8SCnUewy7bMynSSRnQw?e=fw02CG

We hope you enjoy the spring term and look forward to hearing from you if we can be of assistance.