Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is delighted to announce the appointment of five Lead Schools to its Dorset Careers Hub to provide valuable support and guidance as it promotes improvement in careers education.
Dorset Careers Hub is delivered by Dorset LEP as part of its work in creating a future workforce that is highly productive, aspirational and agile to promote prosperity, well-being and innovation for all in Dorset.
The new Lead Schools - Poole High School, Ferndown Upper School, The Woodroffe School, The Bourne Academy and Linwood School - were selected for being beacons of best practice, and will play an important advisory role on Dorset Careers Hub’s key strategic projects. The schools will directly impact the quality of careers education across Dorset by supporting the development of local communities of practice, which will also link with national communities.
The appointed Lead Schools will also act as ambassadors for the Enterprise Adviser Network and the Careers Hub model. Within this role, the schools will support and contribute towards the development of materials and resources which will benefit Dorset schools. Through training and staff development, the Lead Schools will work alongside Dorset Careers Hub to build capacity in Hub schools.
Dorset LEP Director Lorna Carver said: “Our partnership arrangements have helped us to create one of the most successful Careers Hubs in the UK and is recognised as an essential part of education for the benefit of young people. We are delighted to have the additional input from these five schools that will really help to tailor our high quality careers and enterprise education programmes.”
Education Manager at Careers & Education Company, Andrew Webster, said: “Identifying the five Lead Schools within the Careers Hub is an important step forward in supporting the young people of Dorset through the development of a strong careers community of practice in the area. The Dorset Careers Hub will play a vital part in helping young people in the local community make the most of their talents and in supporting the local economy’s recovery from the pandemic.”
Dorset Careers Hub now supports 41 institutions within the Dorset Council region, and 34 within the Bournemouth and Poole Council region, meaning more Dorset students than ever before are benefiting from high quality careers education.
On Poole High School’s appointment as Lead School, Headteacher Paul Gray shared: “Colleagues at Poole High School are delighted to have taken on the Lead School role. During these trying times, we are all especially aware of the importance of encouragement and motivation in learning. Careers Hub Lead School status will further strengthen the connection for students between the work they are undertaking in school today, and the resilience needed to secure an ambitious and successful future in the world of work.”
Philip Jones, Headteacher of appointed Lead School Ferndown Upper School, shared: “Careers education is vital; it allows students to evaluate their options, so they can decide upon their destinations and then it creates the aspiration to get there. That is why we are so excited to be involved with the Dorset Careers Hub and to be liaising with the other schools in our area, sharing best practice and learning from each other, because it will mean even better provision for our students.”
The Woodroffe School Headteacher, Dan Watts said: “We are delighted to be recognised for our high quality careers education provision and are looking forward to supporting other schools as one of Dorset’s five Careers Hub Lead Schools. In changing times, it is essential that we prepare our students for life beyond school.”
Mark Avoth, Principal of Lead School The Bourne Academy shared: “At The Bourne Academy, we have worked tirelessly to lead the way in developing and delivering outstanding careers support to our students for many years. The opportunity to become a Lead School will allow us to share our expertise whilst working closely with the Dorset Careers Hub CEC and our local schools – such integration and collaboration will further enhance the careers support for all young people and is of vital importance to us.”
Julie Jeanes, Executive Headteacher of Linwood School said: “We are excited to be involved in the Dorset Careers Hub as the SEND lead school. Through our developing careers programme we work towards students accessing meaningful and appropriate work-related experiences. We are aspirational for our students and are keen to share our experiences and collaborate with other schools."