I am one of five guidance teachers at Hazlehead Academy, with responsibility of pastoral care for pupils in Greyfriars house. A main aspect of my role is supporting pupils as well as involving parents and carers, with their pathway planning leading on to a successful positive destination post-school. The support for this starts as soon as pupils begin Academy through their Personal Social and Health Education lessons as well as liaising and working with our dedicated Skills Development Scotland Career Coaches.
In PSE, I help pupils develop an awareness of self in relation to skills and qualities. This is linked to our school’s CATAPULTS – a range of softer skills identified by employers as being as important to have alongside academic qualifications. Our Skills Development Scotland Coaches attend classes and support delivery. Each year group has an important time of the year in relation to their pathway planning which begins in January and ends around March. This is where pupils are deciding on next steps in their pathway planning by either choosing subjects for the following year (S2 to S6) or, a positive destination such as college, employment, apprenticeship or training (S4 to S5). S6 pupils’ support begins at the start of the academic year and is personalised dependent on their decided positive destination. Support includes: offering advice, answering any questions, completing applications and CVs, and supported use of My World of Work which is website used by school and SDS.
I also direct pupils to any opportunities that could help develop their understanding and knowledge of certain career paths as well as help pupils to find work experience opportunities that can take place alongside their studies.
I find pathway planning very exciting as there are so many opportunities and outcomes for pupils, and I often find myself thinking about all the different career and pathway opportunities that I would take if I wasn’t a guidance teacher. I also find it fascinating that pupils could end up doing a multitude of jobs in their lifetime and that some jobs do not even exist yet! I am aware that it can be a very confusing and difficult time for both pupils and families, not always feeling fully informed or not knowing what to do for the best, and it is my job to help find a way through this to help make decisions about pathways that are both suitable and most importantly, one that a pupil will enjoy and be motivated to follow.
Our new website ABZ WORKS provides local advice on career pathways as well as information about college and university courses. If you are looking for specific careers advice, you can talk to your Guidance Teacher or your Careers Advisor.
