Careers
Phoenix is committed to providing high-quality Careers Education, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) to all students through the curriculum and organised activities. This guidance will focus on the specific needs of the individual student to promote self-awareness and personal development. Students are entitled to careers education and guidance that is impartial and confidential.
Guidance will be integrated into students' experiences of the whole curriculum, based on a partnership with them and their parents / carers. The programme will promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion, while promoting the best interests of the students to whom it is given.
We aim to promote the following to all students:
Here at Phoenix, we have formulated an extensive yet unique careers plan aimed at every single student from year 7-13. This plan represents opportunities and experiences available for students from all walks of life. We have also included specialised career provision for our SEN students so that every young person has equal chances to gain exposure into careers and to raise their aspirations.
Careers Programme
The careers programme is co-ordinated by the leader of school enrichment and delivered via form tutors, via collapsed PSHE days, throughout the course of the school year and supplemented in morning registration time.
Throughout these days, we make reference to the Local Labour Market. In particular, information relating to the jobs that are on offer in the local area, employment trends and what skills employers require from young people.
Connexions deliver our one-to-one Careers Guidance interviews – Lynn Edge. Connexions offer 'drop-in' sessions, individual careers interviews for every Year 11 student and further guidance within the PSHE curriculum. A designated mentor for Post-16 has been appointed to further enhance provision. For more details on what Connexions offer our students, please visit their website at: www.connexionssandwell.co.uk.
Careers resources are available in the Library, for all students. They are relevant and updated regularly to take account of current good practice. Access to careers software and internet-based resources are also available.
Participation in activities, both in school and offsite, provides our students with employer contact, access to information about voluntary and community organisations, and the opportunities available to them at Further and Higher Education institutions.
Key Stage 3 Provision
Year 7 – Introducing careers and the opportunities that are available.Year 8 – Linking plans and aspirations to reality.
Year 9 – Self-assessment, career paths and options Post-14.
Key Stage 4 Provision
Year 10 – Work Experience, including preparation, implementation and evaluation.
Year 11 – Post-16 options / pathways and the application process.
Post 16 Provision
Year 12 / 13 – Self-assessment, career paths and options at 17 / 18 and beyond.
These PSHE days have the support of local businesses, who readily give their time to support the school in their careers education programmes, by telling students about their sector and career paths. PSHE, and one-to-one careers guidance, enable us to fulfil the requirements of all 8 Gatsby Benchmarks.
Provider Access Policy
Please click here to access our Provider Access Policy for further details.
This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to students at the school, for the purposes of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
Contact Details
“Can you help with our careers events by coming in to talk about where you work, and / or your career path, or by offering work experience placements where you work?”
We welcome feedback on our career’s education programme. Please contact me or my colleagues with your comments and suggestions on info@phoenix.sandwell.sch.uk.
Assistant Head Teacher for Careers Education and Careers Leader – Mrs. K. Northwood
Careers and Aspirations Lead – Miss. A . Heer (contact on 0121 588 8384, ext. 119)
Year 10 Work Experience Lead – Mrs. H. Conway
Year 12 Work Experience Lead / Careers – Miss. M. Crowley
Governor responsible for Careers – Mrs. P. Williams
If your child is a Year 11 student and you would like to accompany them in their careers interview with Connexions, please contact Lynn Edge on (0121 588 8384, ext. 215), our Connexions advisor on lynn.edge@phoenix.sandwell.sch.uk.
Destination Data
Please click on the document to view the latest destination data for Phoenix students.
Key Stage 4 School Summary document
Official Phoenix Careers Plan
Click here to view the official Phoenix Careers Plan.
Information for Parents
To support your child you can:
- Support them when making decisions, such as choosing their GCSE options and Post-16 / Post-18 options.
- Encourage your child to develop their skills, raise aspirations, and pursue their interests and ambitions.
- Support / Encourage them to take part in activities, such as work experience, mock interview day and attend careers information talks by businesses, which will raise awareness of opportunities and encourage self-development.
Useful websites:
- National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
- UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/
- CAREER ALCHEMY: https://www.careeralchemy.co.uk/
Information for Employers
Phoenix Collegiate is committed to preparing students for the world of work and employment. We hold a range of events throughout the academic year, including providing work enrichment opportunities, guest speakers and work experience in Year 10 / Sixth Form.
If you would like to get involved to help inspire our future workforce, speak to our students or can offer apprenticeships / work experience placements, please contact Miss. A. Heer on 0121 588 8384, ext. 215 or e-mail at anisha.heer@phoenix.sandwell.sch.uk .
Information for Staff
The following links are to help aid staff to support students when thinking about careers and Post-16 options:
- planit: https://www.planitplus.net/Schools/SubjectCareerPosters/ - ideas of careers in subject areas.
- SACU: https://sacu-student.com/?page_id=2850 - careers quiz.
- National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers - explore careers.
- GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship - apprenticeship search tool.
Policies and Information
To view our Careers Policy and Provider Access Policy, please click the link below:
Careers Programme and Events
National Careers Week 2023
Please see below some photos from our first National Careers Week, here at Phoenix.
Local employers supported our programme of events by giving talks in assemblies and undertook Q&A sessions for selected groups of students. Employers in attendance included businessman, Liam Harmitt, Sandwell Council, Build a Career, Shockat Lal, Chief Executive of Sandwell Council and Cllr Simon Hackett. We look forward to welcoming Ramid Khan, solicitor, in the near future.
BBC Bitesize School Tour
The Phoenix Collegiate were delighted to be joined by the BBC Bitesize School Tour in October.
The assemblies were hosted by Jasmine T., Radio Presenter, who spoke with three professionals from the local area about their career paths, covering topics such as: qualifications, career progression, skills for the workplace and challenges they faced. The sessions were interactive and included a Q & A.
The panelists included:
- Hardish V. - Audience Development and PR Consultant
- Poonam R. - Software Engineer
- Genna M. - Make-up Artist on the television series, Phoenix Rise
Year 10 Visit to Girton College
Some of our Year 10 students were given the opportunity to visit Girton College, Cambridge. Students were involved in a Higher Education talk and quiz, and were given a tour of the facilities. Students enjoyed the day and learning about University life.
Labour Market Intelligence
If you would like to find out more on the Local Market Information, please click here: LMI Parent and Student Guide (blackcountrylep.co.uk).
Black_Country_LMI_Parent_and_Student_Guide.pdf
Phoenix Learn Live Channel
Please click here to access our free school careers page.
Useful website links:
Important Links for Students
Please feel free to visit the links below:
- Click here to visit icould - advice on choosing GCSE pathways.
- Click here to visit the icould 'Buzz Quiz' - identify your strengths.
- Click here to visit National Careers Service - information to explore job profiles and much more.
- Click here to visit the icould 'Explore' section - get career ideas by watching video stories by searching for your favourite subject / job type.
- Click here to visit the icould 'Tactics for making decisions' section - a useful list to help you make choices, including examples around GCSE subjects.
- Click here to visit the icould 'Choosing well' section - how to pick the right path for you; a more detailed guide to making decisions.
Other useful websites:
- Prospects: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/
- GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
- UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/
- The Uni Guide: https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/
- how2become: https://www.how2become.com/