Guidance
Guidance at Thomas Tallis School encompasses the curriculum areas of PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) and Citizenship and also includes Student Voice, SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural provision), CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) and Work Inspiration. The curriculum side of Guidance is called PSHCE and is taught across years 7-13. It is delivered by tutors for one hour per work in a dedicated lesson, as well as through assemblies, registration activities and whole school Community Days. The course is taught through a range of innovative techniques such as; Philosophy for Children, story-telling, international links, external speakers and cross-curricular projects. Each of the areas works on a spiral curriculum and consists of:
As well as the classroom study of these topics, Guidance is supported through a range of other areas. Some of these are:
- PSHE – including Sex and Relationships Education, Personal Safety, Digital Literacy and e-safety, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness, mental health and safeguarding
- Citizenship - Rights, Responsibilities and Relationships, Identity and Diversity, Personal Safety and the Law and Democracy and Justice, Politics and Fundamental British Values
- CEIAG and Work Inspiration - Elements of academic and career progression are studied in all years (relevant to their age). Year 10 undertakes a complete programme of work related learning experiences throughout the year, while years 11-13 students have the opportunity of an individual careers interview. Further details about this programme can be found below.
As well as the classroom study of these topics, Guidance is supported through a range of other areas. Some of these are:
- Student Voice - student council and full elections, democracy week and mock elections reflecting the national agenda. The Debating Society and range of public speaking opportunities also contribute to this.
- SMSC (including British Values) - this is Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural provision across the school. All faculty areas address elements of SMSC through their individual curricula and extra-curricular activities provide further opportunity for the development of this area.
- Tallis Character - The moral values that underpin life at Thomas Tallis School are Kindness, Honesty, Optimism, Respect and Fairness.
- Community Days - three days across the academic year are dedicated to PSHCE issues and are an opportunity for the Community to learn together in different ways. The first Community Day of the year is Tallis Choices and is run through the pastoral team, focused on career and life choices that students may deal with. The second day is linked explicitly to Citizenship and democratic process and this is taught through curriculum areas. The final Community Day of the year is Tallis Voices and provides a practical and realistic opportunity for students to work on school-wide issues.
- Student Services - every lunchtime the Student Services Centre offers a drop-in health and wellbeing provision. There is a different focus on different days. Services include; the school nurse, the careers advisor, relaxation sessions and an LGBT Alliance called Q+.
Dream Bigger
The Thomas Tallis Work Inspiration Programme
Thomas Tallis School offers a bespoke programme of careers and work related learning that provides students with a range of experiences designed to increase their knowledge of different progression routes and careers options, and to develop the skills they need to be able to pursue their goals. The Work Inspiration Programme takes students through the following themes:
Thomas Tallis School offers a bespoke programme of careers and work related learning that provides students with a range of experiences designed to increase their knowledge of different progression routes and careers options, and to develop the skills they need to be able to pursue their goals. The Work Inspiration Programme takes students through the following themes:
Below are the main experiences that a student in each year group can expect to have. Some of the events are targeted for specific students but most are universal and apply to whole year cohorts.
Year 7 – Inspire
The main aim at the start of the Tallis Career Education Programme is raising awareness about the huge range of jobs and career areas available. We want students to be inspired to investigate areas of interest, whilst developing generic habits of mind and skills useful in life and the workplace. Activities in year 7 are aimed at opening students’ minds to the possibilities available. Activities include;
Year 8: Inform
In this year, in which students at Tallis make their GCSE options choices, students will come to know about a range of progression routes and potential careers related to options choices for GCSE subject areas. They will understand the benefits of making good choices and for the right reasons, identifying role models in areas of interest and studying their career paths. A key lesson of this year is about how to keep their options open. Activities include;
Year 9: Explore
Year 9 provides an opportunity for students to fully explore particular fields of interest. They will research next steps in getting into this field (or a variety of different fields) and know the criteria for entry into these areas. Students will also identify and understand the desirable skills, attributes and experiences for these areas and know where can you develop these, both in and out of school. Activities include;
Year 10: Plan
Students will use all of their careers knowledge acquired through years 7-9 to plan possible progression routes after year 11. This will involve tracking backwards from their career aspiration to appreciate the qualifications and entry requirements necessary so that they can aim appropriately in their GCSE results. Many students will not have a clear idea of their ultimate career goal and so will be advised on how to plan with that in mind, keeping routes open. Activities include;
Year 11: Decide
The end of year 11 requires students to make decisions about what their next steps are, whether that be college or A-level studies or a training programme or apprenticeship. Students will be taken through the application process for their chosen route and revisit their plans to ensure that they are on track to get the grades they need to move into the next phase of their education. Activities include;
Year 12: Reflect
For those new to Thomas Tallis, their career education journey may start here. This year is a time for students to reflect on their pathways and what direction they might take and seek a range of opportunities to assist them in that. Students will consider and review their chosen career path and options available to them. Activities include;
Year 13: Specialise
At Thomas Tallis School students are fully prepared and supported in year 13 to move onto one of three main areas – university, arts college or work/apprenticeships. Whether students arrived in year 12 or went through the complete Thomas Tallis careers programme, they will have a clear idea of which route they are planning to take and what they need to do to give them the best possible chance of being able to pursue that path. Activities include;
Year 7 – Inspire
The main aim at the start of the Tallis Career Education Programme is raising awareness about the huge range of jobs and career areas available. We want students to be inspired to investigate areas of interest, whilst developing generic habits of mind and skills useful in life and the workplace. Activities in year 7 are aimed at opening students’ minds to the possibilities available. Activities include;
- Open evening for prospective students
- Open mornings
- Head Start Day
- Summer School (transition 6-7)
- PSHCE lessons on career exploration
- Focused conversations between students and parents
- Interview with a Year 13 student
Year 8: Inform
In this year, in which students at Tallis make their GCSE options choices, students will come to know about a range of progression routes and potential careers related to options choices for GCSE subject areas. They will understand the benefits of making good choices and for the right reasons, identifying role models in areas of interest and studying their career paths. A key lesson of this year is about how to keep their options open. Activities include;
- Choices Community Day
- Options Tasters
- PSHCE lessons on options and careers
- Assembly series – university, arts college, apprenticeships, alumni
- Registration on Fast Tomato and initial use
Year 9: Explore
Year 9 provides an opportunity for students to fully explore particular fields of interest. They will research next steps in getting into this field (or a variety of different fields) and know the criteria for entry into these areas. Students will also identify and understand the desirable skills, attributes and experiences for these areas and know where can you develop these, both in and out of school. Activities include;
- Speed Networking
- PSHCE lessons on LMI, progression routes and careers
- University visits
- Range of subject-based activities (eg. Enterprise in a Box, Pop-Up Café)
- Progression Conference for Pupil Premium students
Year 10: Plan
Students will use all of their careers knowledge acquired through years 7-9 to plan possible progression routes after year 11. This will involve tracking backwards from their career aspiration to appreciate the qualifications and entry requirements necessary so that they can aim appropriately in their GCSE results. Many students will not have a clear idea of their ultimate career goal and so will be advised on how to plan with that in mind, keeping routes open. Activities include;
- Year 12/10 progression partnership discussion
- PSHCE lessons
- Interactive Careers Event
- Reverse Mock Interviews
- One-to-One Mock Interviews
- Virtual Work Visit
- Work Placements for targeted students
- Oxford University trip
- Step-Up Day (progression event)
- Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge for targeted students
- Careers guidance interviews for targeted students
- Progression Conference for Pupil Premium students
Year 11: Decide
The end of year 11 requires students to make decisions about what their next steps are, whether that be college or A-level studies or a training programme or apprenticeship. Students will be taken through the application process for their chosen route and revisit their plans to ensure that they are on track to get the grades they need to move into the next phase of their education. Activities include;
- One-to-one guidance interviews
- Interviews with SLT/tutors
- PSHCE lessons on making personal finance, college applications and next steps
- Progression Fair
- Apprenticeships workshop
- Targeted work with less able students and making appropriate applications
- Russell Group University Conference
- More Able and 1st generation University students parent meeting
Year 12: Reflect
For those new to Thomas Tallis, their career education journey may start here. This year is a time for students to reflect on their pathways and what direction they might take and seek a range of opportunities to assist them in that. Students will consider and review their chosen career path and options available to them. Activities include;
- Progression Week
- Range of speakers
- Year 12/10 progression partnership discussion
- VESPA programme and parental meeting
- The Great Debate – Community Day
- University Trip
- PSHCE lessons
- Targeted interview skills sessions
- Parental UCAS/careers evening
- One-to-one careers guidance interviews fro targeted students and requests
- Targeted mentoring
- Russell Group University Conference
- Regular assembly slot to advertise opportunities
Year 13: Specialise
At Thomas Tallis School students are fully prepared and supported in year 13 to move onto one of three main areas – university, arts college or work/apprenticeships. Whether students arrived in year 12 or went through the complete Thomas Tallis careers programme, they will have a clear idea of which route they are planning to take and what they need to do to give them the best possible chance of being able to pursue that path. Activities include;
- VESPA programme and parental meeting
- Interview year 7s
- Writing personal statements
- Community Day – progression. UCAS and Arts College applications and skill development
- Support assemblies
- One-to-one careers guidance interviews for targeted students and requests
- Russell Group University Conference
- PSHCE lessons
Minimum Entitlement in CEIAG for a student at Thomas Tallis School
By the time a student reaches the end of year 11 they can expect the following input relating to CEIAG;
For more information about any aspect of this curriculum or Guidance at Tallis, please contact:
Dr Michelle Springer, Director of Guidance
By the time a student reaches the end of year 11 they can expect the following input relating to CEIAG;
- At least 4 meaningful employer contacts
- At least one visit to a place of further or higher education
- One formal mock interview
- Careers Advisor support
- To be offered at least one careers guidance interview
- Support via the tutorial programme
- To attend at least one careers or progression fair
- Fast Tomato access to assist on planning potential career pathways
For more information about any aspect of this curriculum or Guidance at Tallis, please contact:
Dr Michelle Springer, Director of Guidance