Vocational Skills Curriculum Intent

Our aim in vocational skills is to learn skills and knowledge through work based tasks, ultimately supporting individual journeys into the world of work.  This journey starts in Year 4 with weekly lessons accessing practical activities based on the play curriculum, travelling through years 6,7 and 8 with tasks that have increasingly higher expectations for independence and perseverance skills.

The curriculum gives wide and varied opportunities for pupils to experience a range of vocational skills including carpentry and plumbing with aspects of careers awareness threaded into each lesson.  Year 9 have a structured ‘carousel’ of vocational tasters to prepare and support them with deciding option subjects for Year 10. 

Our curriculum intends:

1. To teach skills and knowledge associated with the use of tools and their application in a range a job areas.
2. To teach pupils the importance of health and safety and how the same rules apply across all work areas.
3. To raise pupil awareness of the benefits of having a job. 
4. To inform pupils about a range of trades and jobs such as:  Construction worker, retail worker, childcare assistant, MV worker, animal care assistant, hairdressing assistant, hospitality and catering worker and horticulture worker.
5. To integrate maths and careers in context.
6. To raise the profile of the option choices available to pupils, allowing them to make informed choices at the end of yr9.

 

Our curriculum delivery:

This curriculum will be delivered using tailored tasks specific to different job areas.  Pupils will have opportunities to experience a range of different job skills through practical tasks and discussion activities that will support their knowledge for the future. Health and Safety skills and knowledge will run through each lesson and pupils will be encouraged to think independently when choosing tools and equipment.  Pupils will be taught essential transferable skills such as perseverance, listening skills, politeness, teamwork and a willingness to complete a job well.

Pupils will not complete regular written work tasks as this subject is very practical and more achievement can be gained from ‘doing’.  Pupil progress will be recorded with pupil evaluation sheets, photographs and video of working practices and project outcomes. Interventions will be developed where necessary to help pupils who are finding access difficult or, who are moving through units quicker than their peers.

Benefits to pupils (impact):

1. Pupils will learn how to use tools safely
2. Pupils will have knowledge and be able to put into practice rules on health and safety
3. Pupils will be able to explain why having a job is important. 
4. Pupils will have an increased knowledge of a range of jobs and careers different industries.
5. Pupils will have a better understanding of why maths is important in the context of work.
6. Pupils will make informed choices for their option subjects at the end of yr9