Futures (Transition & Careers)
Intent
The Futures Team at Standish are passionate about delivering a fit for purpose careers programme that meets the students’ needs, interests and possible career pathways no matter what stage of life they are at. We hope to deliver a balanced career view that will equip students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed choices about their post 16 options.
Through a whole school careers linked Programme of Studies, the Futures Team aim to personalise information, advice and guidance to enable students to discover where their interests and passions can lead them, as they embark on the first steps towards a career. The Team embraces the whole school vision of becoming ‘Outstanding’ in all that it does and will continue to improve on already good practice, with regards to delivering CIEAG and the Gatsby benchmarks.
The Futures Team are currently working hard to forge partnerships and work collaboratively with local and national companies, ensuring Standish delivers first-hand experience and advice from the world of work. We aim to offer students, parents and families every opportunity to be part of a dynamic and supportive careers programme, that listens and supports in the appropriate way.
The Futures Team want all staff to embrace and contribute to CIEAG through their roles as specialists in their disciplines. Staff are ideally placed to inspire students through great classroom practice, to research and discover more about opportunities beyond the confines of school. We aim to engage with local and national initiatives, keeping labour market information relevant to all that we plan and deliver. This will enable SCHS students to be ideally placed for career sector opportunities and to be fully equipped for the evolving requirements of the 21st century workplace.
About Us
Welcome to our new ‘Futures Team’ here at Standish Community High School, our futures team is here to inspire, energise, support and guide our student’s throughout their time at Standish.
The futures team has two dimensions, Transition, where our aim is to support the physical and emotional change from primary into high school life, and Destinations, with the sole purpose to advise, guide and provide unlimited opportunities to help our young people make an informed decision on their futures, the sky is their limit.
The ‘Futures team’ consists of Mr D Prout (Futures Director) and Mrs A O'Connor (Destinations Coordinator). Support by Assistant Headteacher, Mrs M Collier.
Meet The Futures Team
Mr Prout’s has first-hand experience working with major global industries, after working for the ‘Bank of New York Mellon’ for 6 years. Having worked in the client services department he has seen first-hand the importance of a good education plus the confidence to show character and personality to support progress with a variety of career sectors. This all rounded character is at the forefront of Mr Prout’s thinking, transferring his experiences to enable him to inspire and engage the next generation on their own career pathway.
Mr Prout has a passion for bringing a fresh new innovative careers programme and embedding this into the student’s curriculum. Highlighting the importance around personal progression, following interests, passions along with academic success. At the forefront of this vision, Mr Prout will endeavour to deliver a broad careers diet to our students so they realise the opportunities are endless. At Standish the ‘Sky is the Limit’.
As Futures Director, my aim to create and drive the vision of Standish CHS career programme, to enhance the careers provision, including futures/careers within the SSIP and driving the implementation through the Futures team as a whole. I strive to analyse and then strategies to improve our current provision to keep our careers programme relevant and engaging for our current students and the students to come. I form the link between SLT and the day to day running of the careers implementation throughout school, managing budget to external needs/requirements and programmes to make sure our students are receiving the adequate advice, support and guidance.
With a wealth of background and experience within educational careers advise and guidance, Mrs O’Connor is passionate about all students achieving their full potential in what area career sector they want to follow. Having previous worked for Aim Higher during university and within many areas of career advise, Mrs O’Connor is the idea sounding board for our students to explore the options to them. ‘You cant be what you cant see’, is the Futures moto and with create advice and experiences, Mrs O’Connor aims to reach every student, no matter where they are at.
Mrs O’Connors life experience is invaluable to the Futures team here at Standish, having left England to experience different cultures and educational programmes in both France and Spain, she has a real passion for gaining lifer experience and living that life to the full. Completing her degree at uclan, Preston and PGCE at Edge Hill, Mrs O’Connor has excellent contacts around Greater Manchester and Lancashire institutions, we see this a vital link for Standish to work in close partnership with post 16 providers to enable all our students to follow their dream path.
Mrs O’Connors clear care and passion for all students to succeed and willingness to go the extra mile for all students puts her in the perfect role within the Futures team. To support a balance diet of educational careers advise and guidance and be the ‘go to’ person for all students across school. Do not worry where you are currently at, Mr’s O’Connor will inspire and motivate to get you where you will thrive.
As Future Destinations Coordinator, I liaise with colleges and apprenticeship providers to ensure that all students have a post-16 education offer. I help to organise Futures Team events such as Mock Interview Day and College Taster days.
Mrs Collier is an experienced educational professional who has always been a pioneer in the sector she has been working in, having worked in the educational sector for over 15 years, her career has transformed from teaching of Mathematics to share her skills and experience as a lead practitioner into her current role as assistant head teacher. Mrs Collier currently manages the Futures Team, has responsibility for Teacher Training (ITT), NQT training and coaching, parental involvement and engagement and student council.
As the government focus on target areas within the educational sector, not only on the academic progress of students but the personal and social wellbeing and improvement. Mrs Collier is at the forefront of these statutory changes at Standish CHS, working closely with her teams to make sure the desired outcomes, support and improvements of all students are met.
As an Assistant Headteacher, it is my priority to ensure the Futures Team are supported to provide an inspiring Futures Programme, accessible for all students. I provide the link between the Futures Director, the Senior Leadership Team and the Governing Body to enable the strategic planning to be implemented during KS2 and Post16 Transition and throughout the careers curriculum, in line with the Strategic School Development Plan.
