The Queen's School recognised for ‘Outstanding Careers Provision’

The Queen's School in Chester has been awarded the highest level gold award in recognition of the outstanding careers provision provided to students.

The school has achieved the national Quality in Careers Standard awarded under licence by Ixion (Part of the Shaw Trust Group). The Quality in Careers Standard is awarded to schools and education providers who can demonstrate the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about their life after school.

The high quality of personalised provision provided by Queen’s, led by a dedicated Head of Careers, Mrs Julietta Dawson, also resulted in the school being awarded a Gold certificate for “Outstanding Careers” provision over and above the quality award.

Headmistress Sue Wallace-Woodroofe said: "We are thrilled to have achieved the national Quality in Careers Standard and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Mrs Dawson, as well as the staff who continually ensure all our pupils develop their knowledge, skills and experience so they can go out into the world and achieve personal success. The high level of collaboration was noted as evident across all areas of the school to ensure the students receive a holistic service and the Gold certificate definitely attests to this."

There is a statutory duty to ‘secure independent careers guidance’ for all students from Year 8 onwards, and the Government also recommends that all schools should be required to work towards the national Quality in Careers Standard. Achieving it shows how all staff at The Queen’s School embrace, promote and endorse quality careers education and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of the school and its students. The assessor was particularly impressed with the school’s commitment to the provision of a high quality service, personalised to the needs of the students which was clear from everyone she spoke to as part of the assessment.

Head of Careers Julietta Dawson said: "I am delighted that our careers provision, of which we are so proud to provide at Queen’s, has been formally recognised in this way. Delivering such a bespoke service to our students means I have seen first-hand at each stage of their school journey what a difference this makes to their aspirations and achievements.

"This standard has provided a flexible framework that enabled us to audit our work on careers and ensure our students are receiving the best advice, practical support and experience so they are prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, or training."

The school offers a range of activities to introduce students to the world of work and help them make decisions about life after school. Careers provision begins in Year 7 and is delivered through a planned and structured mixture of PSHE careers lessons, tutor time, assemblies, and specific events such as our Careers Fair and Work Experience weeks for Year 11.

The programme is delivered and coordinated by the Head of Careers with the support of PSHE staff, external providers, alumni and parents, and other professionals, including academic staff of universities, and further and higher education establishments.