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EPT

Careers Programme – External Links & Partners

At The Heights, Blackburn we are lucky enough to have strong links with a number of external providers including local colleges, training providers and agencies.

We work with a number of providers including but not limited too:

  • Blackburn with Darwen’s New Direction
  • Lancashire County Council’s – Youth Futures Team
  • Blackburn College
  • Burnley College
  • Accrington & Rossendale College Group
  • ASK Apprenticeships (Lancs Forum)
  • NLTG
  • Training 2000
  • Bolton College
  • Preston College

The School’s Careers Leader is responsible for maintaining these partnerships, and meets with them on a regular basis to organise and plan Careers Activities throughout the academic year to meet the needs and aspirations of our learners.

The Careers Leader and SLT Link meet on a regular basis to review the needs of pupils and plan appropriate activities along with the support of local providers.

Some of the activities our providers support with are:

  • College Taster session
  • Provider Campus Tours
  • KS3 & 4 Workshops
  • CV Workshops and 1:1 Support
  • Employer Mentoring
  • 1:1 SEND Support Meetings
  • Post 16 Options Assemblies.

 

Careers Provision – Stakeholder Feedback

“With over 10 years experience in recruitment and a personal connection to The Heights, it just felt like a perfect opportunity to support the staff and pupils with their careers programme as an Enterprise Advisor. I am lucky enough to work with some truly amazing businesses in the Lancashire area who are always looking for creative, dynamic and enthusiastic employees to join their company. Being able to bridge the gap and introduce them to the pupil’s at The Heights fills me with a great sense of pride! These pupils really are the generation of tomorrow and I firmly believe they should be given the opportunity to showcase their skills, passions and expertises to the local employers!’’

Carol Ann Thompson
Enterprise Advisor / Recruitment Consultant

“We absolutely love working with staff and pupils from The Heights, Blackburn. We have worked with them for many years and always look forward to building on what is already a fantastic partnership. We continue to work alongside staff and pupils to offer as many opportunities we have to offer and we look forward to that continuing in the years to come”.

Chris McGrail
NCS Engagement Manager, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust

“I have now been working with Ross and The Heights school for the past 3 years offering support from the ASK programme. We initially delivered on a virtual basis during COVID and more recently been able to offer support on a face to face basis. Since 2021 we have supported Yr. 10 and Yr. 11 learners with awareness presentations; staff awareness CPD and 1 to 1 conversations with learners at The Careers Fair.

Working with Ross is extremely straightforward and organised, and any changes to arrangements are always communicated ahead of time – and the bonus is that he provides me with KitKats!!!”

Cath Robinson
ASK Apprenticeships Project Coordinator

“The School Liaison Team at Burnley College have built a strong relationship with Ross, the careers lead at school over the past couple of years. Ross is very eager in giving The Heights students opportunities to take part in college experiences and session engagement.

We have supported with assemblies, drop-ins, college tours and careers fairs and the students are always polite and ambitious about their post-16 options. It is a pleasure to work so closely with Ross and the students and we look forward to working with them in the coming years.”

Grace Warburton
School Liaison Officer Burnley College

“Blackburn College have built a close relationship with The Heights Blackburn. Ross is extremely keen to offer a variety of careers experiences for the pupils at The Heights, pupils engage well with all the events that Ross arranges and you can see how they benefit the pupils afterwards. We look forward to maintain our positive relationship in the coming years”.

Chloe Williams
Recruitment, Event & Marketing Manager – Blackburn College

“The careers provision at The Heights, Blackburn is excellent – it has a clear purpose, it is continually adapted to meet the needs of each pupil and it is embedded across the whole school. The provision is planned carefully to ensure that students are well-prepared and informed for their next steps. Ross is heavily involved with Lancashire Careers Hub and is always happy to collaborate with other career leaders, share best practice and support other schools in developing their provision. The school has a fantastic relationship with their new Enterprise Adviser and embraces the opportunity to be supported by an employer both strategically and operationally.”

Abigail Hough
Former Enterprise Coordinator, Lancashire Careers Hub

“Education Business Partnership have worked in partnership with The Heights, Blackburn over the last 6 years and historically before this when we came under another umbrella.  We specialise in work experience programmes including the traditional one or two week blocks, through to placements which support alternative provision up to 3 days per week for the academic year. With our vast employer links across all sectors we are able to source placements, as well as provide full health, safety and welfare support through a structured assessment framework.  Work Experience placements allow students to develop new employability skills and qualities and develop industry and sector knowledge supporting their career pathways.

This provision supports Gatsby benchmarks 1, 5 and 6.”

Tracy Gardner
Director, Education Business Partnership, EBP

“As a small employer based in Blackburn and as a person with thirty years senior management experience I am really passionate and interested in people. I feel compelled to commend the positive work and the determination that Ross creates as the careers lead at The Heights in Blackburn. He is an invaluable source of knowledge and support for young people starting off on their career paths. Young people need to be encouraged and nurtured and my sole objective through my role as a Enterprise Ambassador is to give confidence and direction to all young people.”

Elaine Courland
Former Enterprise Advisor

“The culture and ethos of the school encourages a caring and supportive environment in which learning and good behaviour can flourish.”

Ofsted

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