Careers Education

Careers Education at Connaught Special School

For students with complex needs who benefit from a highly personalised approach focused on sensory and foundational skills. The careers education strategy aims to build upon the skills, knowledge and opportunities provided in all key stages. All students have an ‘independence’ personal learning goal (PLG) that aims to support preparation for adulthood and careers education. A careers focus will include developing sensory awareness, communication and life skills essential for self-care and supported participation.

Examples of Career Activities:

Structured community visits to promote familiarity with local places and services.
Sensory-based work experiences such as horticulture, enabling students to engage at their own pace.
Basic self-care and self-regulation activities fostering skills for personal independence.
Onsite work experience structured to build foundational work skills such as appropriate dress, arriving on time, communication, and following instructions to carry out tasks.
Onsite work experience examples: lunchtime support, post delivery, attendance (daily registers) gardening, office administration tasks.
Enrichment opportunities and visits from external providers to enhance the learning opportunities and provide increasing opportunities for students to generalise a variety of skills and to explore a range of careers
Offsite visits to support students to practise and generalise skills across a range of settings and experiences.

Key Stage 3	Careers Education Focus
Years 7, 8 & 9	Classroom lessons to recognise and develop skills and interests Roleplay of work-related activities Establish roles and responsibilities within the classroom Classroom lessons to develop skills and interests Roleplay of work-related activities Opportunities to engage in a range of roles and responsibilities across environments e.g. different classes and across the school. Enterprise opportunities within school
Year 9	Education, Health and Care Plan Transition Review (PfA)
Key Stage 4	Careers Education Focus
Years 10 & 11	Classroom lessons to further develop skills and interests Functional skills lessons to develop understanding of roles and responsibilities On site work-related learning activities e.g. deliveries, office admin support, horticulture Education, Health and Care Plan Transition Review Next Steps Event (Planning for Post-KS5 transitions) including Local Offer Enterprise opportunities in school Qualifications (TBC)
Key Stage 5	Careers Education Focus
Years 12, 13 & 14	Classroom lessons to further develop skills and interests Functional skills lessons to develop understanding of roles and responsibilities. Off site work experience opportunities On site work-related learning activities e.g. supporting with lunches, office admin support, horticulture, sports champion Education, Health and Care Plan Review Enterprise opportunities in school Qualifications (TBC) Community-based learning to build navigation skills and familiarity with workplaces and public facilities. Practical workshops focused on cooking, cleaning and managing personal routines, fostering independence in daily tasks.