Careers - Education and Guidance Information for parents / carers

Committed to Excellence

As part of improving the quality and effectiveness of Barton Court's Careers Education and Guidance for our students, Dr Manning and the school governors have supported a school application to achieve the 'Investors in Careers' Award. Ms Cullimore (Head of Careers as well as PCS) is working with governors, staff, students, parents, external agencies, further education institutions and businesses to ensure that Barton Court continues to ensure that our students receive excellent Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG).

The 'Investors in Careers' will be awarded in stages, and is based on the evidence of the involvement of the whole school and wider community in preparing our young people to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being.

Introduction

Connexions Kent & Medway provides a free information, advice and guidance service to young people aged 13-19, and up to 25 for those with learning difficulties or disabilities.

The connexions service is available to young people through professionally qualified Personal Advisors. They are based in schools, colleges, and town centre access points, and offer confidential guidance and support to teenagers about careers, education, training and job options, as well as other issues such as health, money, relationships, and housing.

Connexions Personal Advisors visit the school/college on a regular basis and work with staff to deliver information, advice and guidance to students on a one-to-one basis or in groups.

Connexions Personal Advisors can work with you to help prepare your son or daughter for the future. There might be particular times when you need our help, for example when your son or daughter:

• Is staring to think about their subject choices at Key Stage 3
• Is considering their options after Year 11. Personal advisors can give them advice and guidance on staying on in full-time education, starting work, training, work-based learning or apprenticeships
• Is thinking about future learning following their Sixth-form studies
• May be experiencing difficulties and they need extra support to get back on track
• Needs advice on understanding the benefits available to them - such as education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) or Care to Learn
• Has a learning difficulty or disability and needs help with their next steps

How to contact Connexions:

• Through your son or daughter's school / college
• Call into a Connexions Access Point. There are eleven across Kent 7 Medway where you and your teenager are welcome to come and talk to a Connexions Personal Advisor, search the web or look through information on training, work-based learning and careers, and find out about local job vacancies. Details of our Access Points are available on our website.
• FREEPHONE 0800 4320207
• email info@connexionskentandmedway.co.uk
• Go to www.connexionskentandmedway.co.uk