Courses
Overview
Introduction
Guidance is our key stage 5 personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) and careers programme at Eckington School. As students embark on their final years of secondary education, our comprehensive key stage 5 curriculum is designed to provide them with the knowledge, skills, and guidance necessary to make informed decisions about their future, both academically and personally. Guidance lessons are delivered weekly by our dedicated key stage 5 team of tutors. Our guidance lessons form an integral part of the Sixth Form's ‘building futures’ programme.
Course leader
Mrs L Moor
Assessment
At Eckington School, our Guidance programme is not just about academic success; it's about preparing our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world, armed with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to shape their own futures. We are committed to supporting each student's unique journey, ensuring they leave our school with a solid foundation for success in higher education, the workforce, and life beyond.
Curriculum
Curriculum roadmap
Topics
Your balance
Our guidance curriculum continues to focus on students' holistic well-being, emphasising mental health, emotional resilience, and healthy lifestyle choices. Topics include stress management, positive relationships, and the importance of self-care.
Your growth
We empower students with essential life skills, such as critical thinking, decision-making, and effective communication, preparing them for the challenges of adulthood. Financial literacy is a key component, covering topics like budgeting, banking, and understanding economic concepts. Our guidance programme includes numerous guest speakers from political, spiritual and economic circles.
Your moral compass
Guidance addresses social responsibility, encouraging students to explore their role as active citizens and contributors to the community. Opportunities for leadership and civic engagement are integrated into the curriculum.
Your career
- Careers education (CEIAG - careers education, information and guidance): our guidance programme at key stage 5 provides in-depth career exploration, helping students identify their passions, interests, and strengths. Our school has been recognised for our commitment and provision of high quality CEIAG by achieving the Quality in Careers Standard – Gold Award. Individualised career guidance and counselling support students in making informed choices about higher education, apprenticeships, or entering the workforce. Our employer mentoring programme supports our students with networking skills and highly specific careers guidance related to their interests and career pathway choices.
- Employability skills: focus is placed on developing crucial employability skills such as teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, ensuring students are well-prepared for their chosen career paths. Mock interviews, CV workshops, assessment centre practice and networking opportunities are incorporated to enhance professional skills.
- Higher education support: for those considering higher education, our guidance programme offers support for university applications, including personal statement workshops, admission test preparation, and guidance on choosing the right courses. We make use of the Unifrog platform for students to explore possibilities and record their careers interactions.
- Work experience: practical experience is encouraged through work placements and mentoring opportunities, allowing students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings. Industry partnerships and guest speakers provide valuable insights into various professions and sectors. We hold an annual careers fair where all students get the opportunities to explore all careers pathway options.
- Future planning: individualised career planning sessions guide students through setting realistic goals and developing action plans for their post-secondary journeys. Regular updates on industry trends and emerging careers ensure students are well-informed about evolving job markets.
- Guest speaker series: Our guidance programme includes a guest speaker series featuring professionals from diverse fields, offering first-hand insights into different career paths.
- University and apprenticeship fairs: our annual careers fair provides opportunities for our students to connect with universities, employers, and apprenticeship providers, facilitating networking and information gathering.
- Alumni mentoring programme: an alumni mentoring programme connects current students with graduates who share experiences, advice, and guidance on their post-school journeys. Our post-16 students connect with younger students through our aspire programme. They share their advice to support students to make post-16 pathway choices.
Your engagement
Our students reflect regularly on their data and attitude to learning, setting goals for self-improvement.
Your toolkit
Through our building futures mentoring, our students are supported to perform at their very best. Our guidance curriculum supports our students to achieve their best by teaching them how to revise, learn and fulfil their goals.
Skills and requirements
Skills learned
- Critical thinking and decision-making
- Effective communication
- Emotional intelligence
- Leadership and teamwork
- Adaptability and resilience
- Financial literacy
- Research and information literacy
- Time management and organisation
- Self-awareness and confidence
- Global citizenship
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Career planning and goal setting
- Networking and relationship building
- Ethical decision-making
- Lifelong learning
Beyond the classroom
Future pathways
At Eckington School, our Guidance programmes go beyond traditional academic learning, aiming to nurture well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills, attributes, and mindset needed for success in higher education, the workforce, and life. We are committed to guiding our students on their journey towards becoming confident, responsible, and proactive contributors to society.
Resources
These resources will provide more information on some of the subjects covered. Further information and sources of help are available on our wellbeing page.
Relationships and sex education (RSE)
- Government: RSE guides for parents
- Talking openly to young people about sex education
- NSPCC: talking to children about difficult topics
Preventing radicalisation and hate
Protected characteristics
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
- Marriage and civil partnership discrimination information
- Marriage and civil partnership discrimination explained video
