Careers
Careers
Piper Hill High School is committed to providing a planned programme of impartial careers education and information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) for all students as part of the Enterprise, Employability, and Independence Curriculum. Student progress is tracked through carefully structured enterprise outcomes and monitoring of careers related learning.
This curriculum incorporates a wide range of planned activities, each having clear learning outcomes which support the development of skills that are required for the world of work and lifelong learning. At Piper Hill High School careers education, information advice and guidance is both broad and balanced. The focus of this, is on the personal development of each individual pupil, offering fully inclusive opportunities both within school and outside school to develop the necessary skills required to be “work ready” as they leave school.
Pupil’s learning is enhanced by their participation in enterprise days, college visits, enrichment activities and their involvement in local community projects. All activities aim to inspire, challenge and motivate pupils whilst at the same time promoting equality of opportunity.
As with all learning at Piper Hill High School, the Enterprise, Employability and Independence curriculum is fully differentiated and personalised in order to ensure that all pupils, regardless of ability are able to make progress in this area. This in turn equips them with the tools necessary to make informed decisions in terms of future destinations as they make the transition from school to adulthood. All pupils, along with their parents and carers are fully supported throughout all transition processes which ensures positive and sustainable outcomes for pupils during their time at Piper Hill High School and beyond.
The impact of the careers programme
- The careers and citizenship action plan identifies key targets for careers which are evaluated termly. This includes analysis of student progress data for careers and citizenship. All students are set targets for citizenship and careers. Post 16 independent students’ progress is also measured against employability skills targets.
- The careers programme is reviewed annually by the careers coordinator and the Enterprise Coordinator using the Compass Assessment Tool against quality standards from the Gatsby Benchmark to identify desirable improvements.
- Students self-evaluate their progress during work experience in their work experience journals.
- Parents and carers questionnaires about the careers advice they receive to be completed during parent s/ carers’ day.
Date of next review: September 2025
Careers Lead: Kelly Hamilton
Careers Co-ordinator: Anna Conway
If you require any further information, please email k.hamilton@piperhill.manchester.sch.uk or a.conway@piperhill.manchester.sch.uk or telephone 0161 436 3009.
Gatsby Benchmarks
At Piper Hill we work together to support students through planned programmes to ensure they receive the relevant careers information, advice and guidance that is suitable for their age and ability by implementation of the 8 Gatsby Career Benchmarks, written by Sir John Holman, a former Headteacher and founder of the National STEM Learning Centre.
The 8 benchmarks are a framework for good career guidance developed to support schools in providing students with the best possible careers education, information, advice and guidance. In the report he identifies what 'good' looks like and outlines a framework of eight benchmarks that schools can use to improve their career guidance system.
Students have opportunities to learn through encounters with employers in school and during visits to different work places in the Manchester area.
In the Post 16 Department students have a variety of internal work experience opportunities, such as working in the Post 16 Café, running the Post 16 Tuck Shop and organising celebrations and parties for students and their families. Some of the more independent students at Post 16 have external work experience placements. Work place visits and work experience are an essential part of our careers offer and enables students to increase their independence and employability skills. Please see the drop down menu for further details of activities linked to careers education, work place visits and work experience.
At Piper Hill Special School we welcome the opportunity to work with local employers to extend and enhance the careers offer for all our students. We would love to hear from any employers who would like to help support us in our careers programme with activities such as interview skills and practise, careers talks, work place visits and work experience.
If any employers have any feedback about our careers activities or would like to discuss working with Piper Hill Special School please contact: a.conway@piperhill.manchester.sch.uk
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Feedback From Employers:
"Isabella and Sophie have been an absolute credit to Piper Hill and we’ll be looking forward to continue working with you in the next school year."
Learning Mentor The Dressing Room Café, The Edge Theatre
"Great working with you and your learners today, they really were a pleasure to support."
Employment Coaches Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
"We had a fab day with the children yesterday building the giant tetrahedron. The teachers enjoyed themselves as well. All in all it was a great success."
Liaison Manager GallifordTry