Pupils engage in work related learning and associated activities throughout their time at Sutton School. In years 7 & 8, this happens through their Duke of Edinburgh time. In years 9-11, we give pupils a choice of pathways which are grouped into similar skilled areas, such as construction and engineering, we build on this to provide vocational, real world qualifications that prepare them for their chosen interest, further education and employment ambitions.

Within each pathway we audit the work that the pupils engage in, relating each skill and experience to one of four identified areas, those being;

• Undertaking Work related Tasks
• Knowledge of Working Practices
• Being in employment
• Awareness of Employment Opportunities

Enforcing this format are trips, events and workshops ran throughout the year with a work related learning focus. We visit off site venues and invite professionals to attend the school to share their knowledge. Each focussed pathway is responsible for selecting appropriate experiences for our pupils, based around their needs and interests.

Parents

In Trees, pupils will have the opportunity to:

• Take part in team-building activities.
• Look at jobs that are done by family members and the local community.
• Role play activities.
• Have a think about their dream jobs. 
• Annual reviews will take place throughout the year.

In Rivers and Hills, pupils will have the opportunity to:

• Pupils will work towards units of a qualification through their careers education. 
• Access clear advice and information for different training providers post 16.
• A programme of careers education.
• Opportunities to visit different training providers.
• Links to careers through other aspects of the curriculum.
• Opportunities to discuss and give feedback on the activities undertaken.
• Annual reviews and college visits will take place throughout the year.

The careers programme can be view in the following document:

• Careers and Work Related Learning Overview

Please contact your child’s form tutor for more information.

Students

You will have the opportunity to do the following:

• Work experience in years 10 and 11.
• Team building activities to teach us to work with others.
• Meet different employers and find out what their job is.
• Run your own business within school to either raise money or make products to sell on work experience.
• Research jobs and colleges to understand what you can do in the future.
• Visit college to help in the transition.

Let your form tutor and parent carer know what you have been doing and enjoyed. 

Please contact your form tutor for more information. 

Employers

If you wish to help in the future, we will be holding a career’s fayre and parent’s evenings later in the year. Please contact the school if you would be willing to help with these events. Our pupils tend to enter the workplace in manual jobs such as hair and beauty, mechanics, building, carpentry, etc.

Please contact (eholder@sutton.dudley.sch.uk) for more information.