School Liaison Programme

“Blackburn College’s School Liaison are second to none. They excel at putting young people at ease.”

- Sue Lawless, Holy Cross Catholic High School

Offering tailor-made plans for your school 2014/15

Welcome to School Liaison at Blackburn College

Our programme of events isn’t just about Blackburn College or general guidance on post-16 education, we go further – and that makes us different.

Our programme is about raising aspirations, offering positive role models and progression opportunities – giving your pupils the chance to see what can be achieved once they leave your care. And we start early. We believe that pupils as young as 10 and 11 need to explore ambitions and understand the connection between education and the world of work.

Our programme starts with aspiration, takes in independent research, planning and culminates with all the information your pupils will need to know to progress including qualification ladders, employability skills and career opportunities.

We feel the needs of students are best served by keeping the channels of communication open between schools/colleges and post-16 education providers – that’s why we’ve designed a programme of events tailored to pupils in Year 6 all the way to Year 11*.

We’re really keen to work with teachers and careers advisors to ensure that pupils are kept up-to-date with changes affecting applications to further education providers or any information that could enhance your pupils’ transition into post-16 education.

The aim? More people on the right courses getting great grades, fantastic jobs and continuing with the work you started. It’s simple really.

This booklet sets out our school liaison offer. You’ll find information about the programme – and how to book your pupils onto sessions. And you can be sure that our sessions are, of course, delivered by trained staff in a professional and engaging manner.

So whether your pupils are aspiring graduates, budding apprentices, or want to hit the job-market running, start their journeys early with Blackburn College.

*For Special Schools we offer a parallel series of

events up to Year 14.

At Blackburn College, our School Liaison team is dedicated to providing a comprehensive School Liaison service.

To book your session Call: 01254 292511 Email: sl@blackburn.ac.uk

The School Liaison Team’s role is to provide an innovative, engaging and relevant series of curriculum-linked activities, events and services. These all promote universal and successful transition to post 16 education and training.

We provide a comprehensive service for school aged learners, their parents/carers and schools to inform, challenge and support educational aspirations.

“The School Liaison Team are always very helpful. Corwynne, Dermot and Amy are knowledgeable on the full range of courses available and the progression routes they can lead to, enabling our pupils to make well informed realistic decisions about their futures.”

- Julia Billington, Information, Advice and Guidance Coordinator, Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe

What we do:

• We liaise with schools, colleges, learners and their families with regards to the Blackburn College offer

• We offer a wide variety of programmes and activities as well as taster days, college tours and careers events

• We work closely with partners to support new initiatives and to provide a collaborative approach to education and training

• We develop and deliver relevant and impartial sessions and workshops for learners both in school and in college

Corwynne Whitehead

Dermot Gallagher

Amy Bishop

Visit: www.blackburn.ac.uk/schools

Year 6

What do I want to be?

What is it?

This session is designed to provoke interest in careers, further and higher education. We give pupils the opportunity to really think about what they might want to be. From astronauts to zookeepers with a stop off at farmers and lawyers – we then explain how it can happen and how to make it happen. Activities include the development of a pathway or a pledge which can be kept as a momento.

Our session introduces your pupils to the concepts of College, University and work as well as a timeline of how the next few years may pan out for them. Jobs that pupils have never heard of before will be introduced. This session challenges factors that prevent progression into chosen careers and addresses the transition from Primary to Secondary School.

This can be followed up by a visit to the campus to explore careers practically.

Year 7

First Steps

What is it?

This session is designed to introduce your pupils to the world of work. We also look at extra-curricular activities that can help pupils with gaining life experience and improving self confidence.

All of the outcomes in this session fit with Citizenship and ECM outcomes. We also introduce a career timeline in this session.

Year 8 Climbing the Ladder

What is it?

This session is about raising overall aspirations. The session focuses on specific destinations but rather than solely focusing on how to get to that profession looks at lifestyles, salaries, locations and the comparative merits that different careers bring. This helps pupils think about the wider implications such as jobs, careers and further education choices. The comparative merits of different levels of qualifications are also discussed in this session.

Our SessionsAll our sessions are delivered in a non-judgemental and positive way which encourages young people to reflect upon and challenge their own views on stereotyping and discrimination.

Relevant real life learning

opportunities tailored to the needs of your

school

To book your session Call: 01254 292511 Email: sl@blackburn.ac.uk

Year 9

Making Plans

What is it?

This session is designed to work with parents as much as it is to work with the pupils. It’s about broadening the understanding of career routes and introducing different pathways to pupils’ goals.

Vocational courses as well as Apprenticeships and A Levels are introduced as well as the merits of each. The session will focus on progression routes after each qualification – whether that be work or higher education.

We look at impartial websites to explore and examine diverse opportunities.

Year 10

Time to make a choice

What is it?

This session will focus on a structured approach to making career choices. We’ll look at activities revolving around getting the right information: how to use prospectuses, the Internet and other online resources, as well as interview techniques. We’ll also introduce an understanding of entry criteria and progression – or where you can go next. In this session we may link with specialist teachers if a number of pupils are interested in a specific area.

These sessions can prepare students for Blackburn College Taster Days in July and summer schools throughout July and August.

Year 11

Making your own way

What is it?

This session is designed to finalise pupils’ choices for post-16 education. Sessions are used to explore what studying at Blackburn College might really be like.

We’ll look not just at the courses but the added value that Blackburn College can bring: from work placements and enrichment activities to others such as fantastic state of the art facilities and residentials.

Sessions are designed to let students make an informed choice. We’ll look at application forms, CV writing and personal statement building, conduct mock interviews, deliver Scholarship workshops and offer free IAG to all Year 11 pupils. The emphasis here is on one to one support to ensure pupils can make an informed and effective application.

“Student experience is a the heart of everything the school liaison team provides for us. Last years’ sampling was amazing and I can’t wait to bring the Year 9s to the STEM facility this year. It is always a pleasure to work with a team where nothing is too much trouble and going the extra mile particularly for more vulnerable students is the norm.”

Sue Mathers - Careers Coordinator, Walton-le-Dale Arts College and High School, Preston

Visit: www.blackburn.ac.uk/schools

Bespoke Activities

Attendance at Parents Evenings and Careers Fairs

Our School Liaison team will gladly attend Parents Evenings and Careers Fairs to offer IAG to parents and pupils about the options available once pupils leave school. If you would like us to attend your parents evening or careers fair we will bring a range of excellent information and guidance materials.

“Over the years we have established and maintained firm links with the School Liaison Team at Blackburn College. The team are highly professional and are always prepared to go the extra mile, nothing is ever too much trouble. They have supported our pupils in many practical ways, which include; advice drop-in sessions, school careers events, school presentations, mock interviews and prefect training.”

Helen Dakin - Applied Learning Coordinator, Bowland High Academy Trust

VIP Tours for pupils & teachers

Our School Liaison team is on hand to offer bespoke tours of Blackburn College to yourself or your pupils. This often helps you get a feel for what it might be like studying at Blackburn College and will help you advise your pupils appropriately.

As well as sessions delivered to pupils we also offer a range of bespoke activities delivered on an ‘on demand’ basis.

To book your session Call: 01254 292511 Email: sl@blackburn.ac.uk

CV & Personal Statement Writing

Tailored sessions for your Year 10 and Year 11 learners.

STEM Ambassadors

The college run a STEM Ambassadors Programme led by Amy with local schools to promote STEM opportunities and help learners work towards Crest Awards.

Enrichment & Honours Programmes

The college is also dedicated to supporting enrichment activities within schools. We currently support a number of schools with curriculum and extra curricular activities including Honours and High Achievers programmes.

Volunteering & Enterprise

The School Liaison Team are dedicated to supporting schools with Social Enterprise and Volunteering. Recently, we have taken Year 11 learners to places such as Cape Town and Sri Lanka. Social Enterprise initiatives have financially supported a number of schools.

Mock Interviews

Individual mock interviews with your Year 10 and Year 11 learners, preparing for progression and work experience.

Taster Days

We hold regular taster days throughout the year to engage pupils in the College experience.

Events Calendar Each year Blackburn College has a range of activities that your pupils can get involved in. These aren’t just limited to Open Days. Other activities that you might wish to get involved in include:

• The Sixth Form at Blackburn College Open Evening

• Blackburn College Open Evening

• Blackburn College Young Chef

• Young Pastry Chef

• Young Hairdresser / Beauty Therapist

• Creative Arts & Media Schools Competition

• Inter-School Quiz

• Annual Art & Design Show

For the most up-to-date events list visit blackburn.ac.uk/events

Today Tomorrow and Beyond

The School Liaison Team attended the annual event run in conjunction with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and supported by local providers for Year 9 students prior to choosing their ‘options’.

The event was attended by pupils from 10 local schools and a very popular and busy evening session for parents.

BRAG Events

The Ribble Valley School’s Partnership events which supports Year 9, 10 and 11 learners making choices.

There is also a specific event for Apprenticeships.

College Events We have regular College Events where you get a chance to see what life is really like at Blackburn College. We visit local schools and arrange college tours and taster days. Just some of our fantastic events include:

Visit: www.blackburn.ac.uk/schools

Tomorrow’s Engineers

This is held at the college and aims to change perceptions of engineering among young people.

For the career you want –  study the subject you love from business with law to professional cookery and childcare

For guaranteed success –  100% success in 100 employment focused courses

For £50M of continued investment in state-of-the-art facilities

To travel the world – opportunities to travel globally including trips to Disneyland, Paris, Russia, Sweden, China and New York

For our amazing value – £10 per term travel pass, free kit and uniform, free breakfastand a subsidised lunch for all

The opportunity to make and meet new lifelong friends

Scholarships

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Why choose Blackburn College?

School Liaison TeamBlackburn CollegeFeilden Street, Blackburn, BB2 1LH

Contact Corwynne, Amy or Dermot:

01254 292511sl@blackburn.ac.ukblackburn.ac.uk/schools

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