Work Experience
Firstly, students must contact employers to see if they will be able to host them for the specified dates, pupils will be supported with this during their Personal Development lessons and during Tutor Time.
Once they have the go ahead from the employer, it's time to fill in Unifrog, using the Placements tool.
The employer then completes their details and uploads their insurance/risk assessment &c. and confirms they will follow our safeguarding policy.
Parents will then receive an email to ask them to confirm they are happy for the process to move on to the final stage, when CEC will confirm the placement. And that's it, the process is all complete and the placement is ready to begin on the date agreed.
During the placement, we try to send a member of staff to every placement to check on out students, and then at the end of the placement - the student and the employer complete a review of the week.
We would expect all students to take part in a placement
Pupils
Embarking on the exciting journey of preparing for your future can be both thrilling and daunting. It's a road filled with choices, aspirations, and a desire to carve out a meaningful and successful path. Understanding the world of careers and embracing the principles of Personal Development can be transformative. It's about gaining knowledge not only about potential professions but also about life skills that will serve as your toolkit for success. Careers education offers a window into the vast array of opportunities awaiting you, while Personal Development provides essential life skills, resilience, and emotional intelligence. In this exploration, we uncover the potential of careers and Personal Development in shaping your future, aiding you in making informed decisions, cultivating a strong sense of self, and empowering you to navigate the exciting world that awaits. Join us as we unveil the secrets to a prosperous future through understanding careers and embracing the core values of Personal Development.
The Careers and Enterprise Company maintain this Careers Hub Padlet https://padlet.com/hotswcareershub/student-padlet-yfp4rek12r1g196h which is worth looking at regularly.
These are useful sites that can be used for planning your next steps.
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/skills-assessment new government site which helps you assess skills and suggests career areas
http://icould.com lots of ideas about different careers; a fun Buzz quiz to give you suggestions; over a 1000 career videos of people talking about their jobs
https://barclayslifeskills.com/young-people/ tools and tips with lots of activities to develop your employability skills, and even earn you a work experience placement.
https://www.careerpilot.co.uk/ probably the main site we use in school (as mentioned above) with loads of information and activities to help students make the right career decisions at different stages of life.
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ the official government careers site for all age groups : "Use our career tools to help you with your choices on careers, training and work. Whatever your situation, there's something to help."
https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/ The Russell Group (the most prestigious universities) advice on which subjects to select at school to give you the best options at university
http://sacu-student.com/?page_id=2850 "Spartan" pictorial careers quiz
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ careers in health care
http://www.university.which.co.uk/ teachers section has good info on Higher/degree apprenticeships, and also Oxbridge applications.
https://successatschool.org/ general site covering skills and next steps for all Year Groups
http://amazingapprenticeships.com/ advice about, and lets you apply for, apprenticeships at all levels.
Parents
Parental guidance and support play a crucial role in a child's educational journey, particularly when it comes to shaping their career aspirations and decisions. Nurturing a child's career development involves more than encouraging academic success - it's about fostering a sense of exploration, self-discovery, and informed decision-making. As parents, you are the primary influencers in your son's life, providing essential guidance and insights into the diverse world of career opportunities. By actively engaging in conversations, understanding his interests, strengths, and goals, and offering encouragement and resources, you can help set him on a path toward a fulfilling and successful career. Join us as we explore effective ways for parents to support their sons in discovering and pursuing their passions, ensuring a promising and gratifying future lies ahead
Labour Market Information (LMI)
Labour Market Information (LMI) is any information that describes the past, current, or future state of the jobs market. It helps you understand what industries are growing, what skills employers are looking for, and what kinds of jobs are available. Essentially, it answers the practical questions people have when planning their careers or looking for work.
When you look at LMI, you are usually trying to find out:
- Where are the jobs? Which industries are expanding and hiring, and which ones are shrinking.
- What do they pay? Typical starting salaries and earning potential as you gain experience.
- What skills do I need? The qualifications, certifications, or soft skills employers currently value most.
- Where should I live? Which regions or cities have the highest demand for specific career paths.
The Cranbrook and Exeter corridor has emerged as one of the most dynamic local economies in the South West. Driven by the continuous growth of Cranbrook as a major economic engine and its direct proximity to Exeter's high-value employment hubs, the area features a strong job market characterized by high household incomes, exceptionally low unemployment, and a fast-expanding technology and scientific sector. https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/cranbrook-plan/
Key Economic Indicators
- Surging Household Income:
Driven by a high concentration of young professional first-time buyers and commuters, Cranbrook has recorded a net household income of £52,074—making it the highest earning area in Devon and ranking just behind regional hubs like Bristol and Bath.
- Low Unemployment: The unemployment rate in East Devon (covering Cranbrook) sits remarkably low at 2.4%, significantly below the broader UK national average.
- High Commuter Connectivity: Exeter operates as a major regional travel-to-work hub, drawing in over 37,500 daily commuters from surrounding East Devon market towns like Cranbrook, aided by 15-minute rail and bus links.
Key Growth Hubs & Industry Sectors
The local labour market is heavily shaped by the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone, an economic initiative specifically designed to ensure high-quality job creation keeps pace with rapid housing growth:
- Exeter Science Park & SkyPark:
Located right on Cranbrook’s doorstep, this area is the primary hub for high-growth sectors, specifically STEM, data science, environmental technology, and high-tech research.
- Healthcare & Public Sector: Major institutional employers drive consistent regional recruitment, including the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the Met Office headquarters in Exeter, and surrounding healthcare facilities.
- Construction & Town Development: With major new housing phases (like the 1,500-home Western Expansion) and the ongoing development of the Cranbrook Town Centre and upcoming Leisure & Wellbeing Campus, construction, civil engineering, and trade roles remain in high demand.
- Retail & Logistics: The expansion of localized services, including supermarkets (Morrisons) and neighbourhood centres, supports a steady base of retail, hospitality, and delivery logistics roles.
Policies
Our policies are all available here