Skip to navigation

Careers preparation

Barnardo's High Close School students at a garage

Preparing for a life after school is an essential part of High Close’s work, and we provide an outstanding programme of vocational and life skills.

Our aim is to provide our pupils with the qualifications and skills they will need to make the successful transition from school to the adult world.

Careers programme

We have an extensive careers programme in place, from lessons in the classroom at year 9 through to weeks of work experience in year 11, which have recently included working at:

  • a guitar shop
  • a hair and beauty salon
  • an old people’s home
  • an electricians
  • a day nursery.

All pupils from year 9 see the Connexions advisor on a regular basis, while from year 11 our Aftercare worker helps both pupils and their parents prepare for the transition from school back to home and into work or college. The Aftercare worker remains involved with them for at least six months after they leave school.

Independence Programme

We have recently introduced an Independence Programme in years 9 to 11 for residential pupils, which provides a series of challenges to help them prepare for the practical side of adult life, including learning about:

  • household and DIY skills
  • personal and health issues
  • money management
  • positive communication.

Parents and carers of pupils who have left the school have written to us to express their thanks about our approach to preparing them for adult life. One wrote:

You have been so supportive and this has been a fantastic experience.

Work experience case study

One company, PTS Developments, wrote about one of our pupils:

He was a joy to have here and we all enjoyed working with him. He is more than welcome back at any time. Brilliant lad!

Almost without exception, our pupils received glowing reviews from their work experience employers.

College links and work placements are carefully organised and effectively help pupils to gain work place skills… pupils are well prepared for life after school - Ofsted 2008.