Careers Information for Parents

As a school we are committed to ensuring our pupils leave us making well informed choices about their future. We know that in order to do this successfully we must provide them with accurate support and guidance throughout their time at Bury CE High School.

Intent

Our aim at Bury Church of England High School is that all our pupils, including those with additional needs or an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), are well-prepared for successful transition into further education, apprenticeships, employment or training, and for the ever-changing world of work.

Our Careers Curriculum is designed to provide students with a bespoke, rich set of career-based learning experiences which enrich and underpin all other aspects of their school journey.

Through a well-considered careers, education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) programme of study, sequenced across each Key Stage, we aim to:

raise aspirations
improve social mobility
develop employability skills
prepare all students for successful transitions into high-quality destination pathways
respond to the changing labour market and societal demands

Across their Academy journey, pupils will experience a range of meaningful encounters and enrichment opportunities that link classroom learning to career possibilities, strengthening pupils’ knowledge and awareness of the wide range of opportunities around them.

Bury CE High School acknowledges its statutory duty under the Department for Education’s guidance Careers guidance and access for education and training providers (Jan 2023, and updated May 2025) for maintained schools and academies.

Link to the Careers Guidance Policy

Work experience programme

Work experience is where you will spend time on an employer’s premises undertaking tasks and duties as an employee, gaining valuable work skills to assist you in your future career path.

This may be the first time you have had to apply for a job, but it will not be the last! If there is anything you do not understand, just ask.

There are lots of different ways in which you can look for a work placement, here are some suggestions below: finding a placement guide will be handed out in form time.

The internet - use search engines such as Google to look for local businesses. Type in key words related to the area of work that you would like to work within.

Social media - lots of small businesses have a large presence on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and Twitter) and these businesses are very active and responsive on their social media platforms, so you could get a quicker response from them.

Be alert - when out and about in your local area, have a look around you, what businesses can you see, new businesses pop up all of the time. If you feel confident enough, you could go in and ask them if they can offer you a work placement, if not, take note of the name of the business and when you get home you can look them up and make contact with them.

Ask family and friends - people that you know might be able to suggest some businesses that you can try, they may also be happy for you to do your work experience with them in their business or at their place of work. Remember: your work placement may not be a career you would like to do in the future but you will learn lots of new skills. It is for you to experience what work is like and give you an insight into the wider world of work.

Contacting an Employer/Business – where able try to speak with your potential work placement in person, start by saying something like this…

“Hello, My name is ………….. I am a student at Bury Church of England High school and I would like to ask, do you offer work experience placements for students?”

Once a business has agreed to offer you a placement, please ask them to sign the self-placement form and attach a copy of their Employers Liability Insurance.

Your parent/carers must complete and sign your consent letter, stating any medical requirements you have.

Self-Placement Form – Your employer must complete and sign your self-placement form while also attaching a copy of their Employer’s Liability Insurance to the form.

Parent Consent form

Self placement form

Newsletters

Careers in the Curriculum

Careers events

Apprenticeships presentation
Be Safe Be Cool
World of work
National Apprenticeships and education event
Local college taster events
College presentations
Mock interviews
Bury Careers event
Careers in the curriculum
CV and personal statement writing
Careers guidance 1-1
Work experience programme
Enhanced transition programme for pupils with SEN

Key Contacts

We value the role parents and carers play in supporting young people with their future career pathways. If you have any questions about your child’s next steps, post-16 options, or careers guidance, we encourage you to get in touch.

Parents and carers are welcome to contact either our Careers development co-ordinator, Mr Steven Halden or the Senior Leader for Careers Mrs R Doherty-Kirkwood using the email addresses below.

Appointments can be arranged to discuss how we can further support your child with career planning, decision-making, and progression routes.

We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure every pupil is informed, supported, and prepared for their future.

PSHCE and Careers Development Co-Ordinator - Level 6

Mr S.Halden

steven.halden@bury.tbft.uk

0161 7976236

Assistant Headteacher

Mrs R Doherty-Kirkwood

rachael.dohertykirkwood@bury.tbft.uk

0161 7976236