At Ramsden Hall, one of our key aims is to prepare students as much as we can for their post-16 placements. With students now required to stay in education or training until they are 18, it is now more important than ever that students know what choices are available to them, how to access the information they need and that they know what their options are post-16 so that they can progress further and be the best they can be.
Years 6, 7 & 8
Through Years 6, 7 and 8 students are taught employability skills through their life skills lessons. Students are fully supported through the Life skills curriculum in writing their Curriculum Vitae, developing interview skills and learning good working practice. Their EHCP’s are also reviewed annually, within the Annual Review meeting students are asked what their ambitions when leaving school are and it is discussed how they may achieve these ideas. Students also select their options in Year 8. Options booklets and forms are sent home and perused with choices made by the end of term. To view the Options Booklet please click here.
Year 9
In Year 9 the students are introduced to our allocated a Preparing for Adulthood Advisor from Essex County Council. Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) Advisers work individually with young people who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan at key transition stages between the ages of 13 and 25. An PFA Adviser is allocated to each mainstream and special school in Essex. They work closely with the school and will usually attend Year 11 reviews. During the meetings the PFA Adviser will ask students about what they enjoy in school and what their interests are. They will talk to students about what they are good at and if they have any ideas about what they might want to do when you leave school. They will then give you unbiased advice about further education, training and employment to help you identify suitable options. The PFA adviser meets with students in school in years 9 and 10.
Year 10 & 11
In Years 10 & 11 students are introduced to Colleges and Alternative Placements. The transition manager will hand out prospectuses to Year 10 & 11 students and meet with them individually. Students are also invited to attend careers fairs and open days for colleges. Some students are selected for Work Experience. Only the students the school feels will benefit the most from Work Experience will be invited to do it. To read more on this please click here to view our Work Experience Policy. The transition manager will also help students to fill in college applications in Year 11 and support them at their interviews where necessary. For the Year 11 Annual Reviews, the student’s final review at Ramsden Hall, the PFA Adviser will attend as well as the transition manager. It is decided at this meeting what support the student may need in college and the PFA adviser will report on this to ensure it is in place. The transition manager will if required support the student and parents at the learning support interview at the college.
Our transition manager is Mrs Amanda McIver. She is contactable via the school landline, 01277 624580 or alternatively her email address is amciver@ramsdenhall.org.uk.
Careers Policies & Documents
Page last reviewed: November 2023
Next review date: November 2024
