Careers

Curriculum Information

Introduction
The information contained in this policy document is for the attention off all teachers involved in delivering Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG), the T & EA Officer, Senior Management and the Board of Governors of The Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School., Newry.

Its purpose is to:
– increase awareness and understanding about the School’s CEIAG Programme;
–ensure that those involved in delivering CEIAG, have a clear understanding of   their responsibilities, and have a broad overview of the aims and objectives of the programme, and how they are to be achieved;
– encourage evaluation and development of the existing CEIAG programme.

The programme of CEIAG is underpinned by the following ten principles.  It should:

– be client-centred, putting the needs and concerns of students first;
– promote equality of opportunity, especially in relation to gender, race, religion and social background;
– demonstrate care and respect for both students and staff;
– raise student aspirations;
– help students make wise choices;
– allow students to develop and demonstrate key skills;
– improve the skills of independent learning;
– build links with the local community;
– help each other make a positive move on leaving school;
– build parental confidence and the school’s reputation.

Personal Career Planning should be central to careers provision at Key Stage 3 & 4, and in the sixth form.  It should help students develop a range of skills and personal qualities that will allow them to make appropriate decisions in relation to career development.

The CEIAG programme will be based on collaborative partnerships involving teachers, personal & social counsellors, senior management, parents, the T & EA and various outside support agencies.

The CEIAG Programme is centred on the Learning Guidance Offer implemented through the joint strategy document by DEL and DENI : Preparing For Success: A Guide to Developing Effective Decision-Makers’ ( Feb 2009):

The increased choice of education and training pathways available to young people, the modularisation of the curriculum, the focus on employability and obtaining suitable qualifications in order that learners can meet the challenge of the changing world of work, place high quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance, ( CEIAG), at the heart of the curriculum.
Preparing for Success 2009

The overall objective of an effective career education and guidance programme is to enable a learner to manage their own career development successfully, confidently and with due respect and care for their own needs, those of others and of their wider communities.
DE Entitlement Framework Circular 2005/18

The new Entitlement Framework Curriculum ensures that young people have a much broader access to a wide range of subject pathways at KS4 ( both general and applied) that will meet their interests, talents and aspirations.  Therefore there is a greater responsibility on schools to make sure that young people have the highest quality careers education, information, advice and guidance.

Departmental Staff