1. MY OPTIONS : PLANNING FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE YEAR 8 : OPTIONS FORM ACTIVITY BOOKLET

2. WHERE DO I WANT TO BE IN THE FUTURE ? FIRST STOP : ASK YOURSELF

3. DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF LIFE?

4. BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW TO ACHIEVE IT?

5. STEPS TO List opposite all the steps you need to take to get to your INTENDED DESTINATION in LIFE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. For answers see ‘Its all about ME!’

7. ITS ALL ABOUT ME 1.START planning NOW 2.Identify MY SKILLS & Qualities 3.Identify MY INTERESTS 4.Know MY ACADEMIC CAPABILITIES (challenge targets) and aim to exceed them that way you can’t Fail! 5.Collate a RECORD of MY ACHIEVEMENTS through School 6.RESEARCH and Identify CAREERS that SUIT ME and find out what QUALFICATIONS I will need to achieve to be in a position to pursue MY chosen Career

8.  Playing a musical instrument  Playing Sport  Communicating  Recalling facts  Managing  Caring for others  Designing  First aid  Repairing machines  Singing  Drawing  Painting  Estimating  Solving  Gathering evidence  Languages (Bilingual)  Taking photographs  Computing  Managing money  Gaming  Mental arithmetic  Planning  Analysing information  Building  Presenting  Public speaking  Map Reading WHAT SKILLS DO YOU POSSESS?

9.  Hard working  Enthusiastic  Well Organised  Team worker  Self Motivated  Problem solver  Lateral thinking  Reliable  Determined  Good time keeper  Decision maker  Honest  A Leader  Adaptable  Negotiator  Analyser  Initiator  Multi lingual  Good listener  Sensitive  Creative  Responsible  Good communicator  Conscientious  Punctual  Strong minded  Assertive  Calm  Trustworthy  Confident  Enterprising  Friendly  Considerate  Imaginative  Polite  Patient WHAT ARE YOUR QUALITIES?

10. RESEARCH You have access to ONLINE CAREERS RESOURCES 1.Visit the school website 2.Go to the tab PUPILS 3.Click on CAREERS These will help you plan for your future CLICK ON THE ‘USE’ BUTTON INPUT LICENCE CODE – ‘GOODREAD32’ ‘CREATE NEW USER’ NOW RESEARCH ALL CAREERS

11. KUDOS This is a Careers matching service that can help you explore a range of career options and ideas by matching you against Careers and progression routes that are appropriate to your skills, entry level and interests. The programme asks you a series of questions and then produces a list of best matches. This is really helpful if you have no idea about what to do as the results make suggestions about areas you may have never ever considered! KUDOS INSPIRE This website builds on Kudos and encourages you to consider careers that you could aspire to if you aimed at a higher level of qualification. It also offers additional features helping you not only to identify suitable careers but look at your transferable skills and where there may be gaps. You can also use the tools to build your own CV and Careers Action Plan. CAREERSCAPE This website can help you to gain a greater understanding of your options and identify areas of work and careers that best use your skills and knowledge. There are lots of videos, case studies and information that you can save to start building your own action plan. This will be very useful when making decisions about Options and also post 16 decisions.

12. College School 6 th Form Apprenticeshi p Work & Part time education/training Your education and training will continue until you are 18 to help you gain the knowledge, skills and qualifications you need to get a job you will enjoy in the future.

13. When considering your option choices it is advisable to think ahead to options that will be presented to you in the future. You may think you are just choosing subjects for the remainder of your time at Smithills. BUT….. Making the right decisions now SHOULD put you on the right path for your future. You will also have subject choices to make at college and eventually at university.

14. At 18 Do I hope to go to University, go into employment or an apprenticeship? At 16 Do I want to go to College, a School Sixth Form or do an Apprenticeship? (work with training ) What types of Careers interest me? Are there any subjects I MUST be studying to be able to access my Career ? Year 8 Which Subjects do I enjoy & achieve well in & what are available to me as options? Making Decisions: LOOK FORWARD and then work backwards

15. Don’t forget start from your intended destination and work backwards WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE USE THE PREVIOUS PAGE TO HELP YOU PLAN

16. Options Evening : Thursday 5 th March 2015 Parents Subject teachers Form tutors Peers (Years 9-11) Careers advisors Prior to your OPTIONS EVENING talk to those who know you best! The CAREERS Office is located at Upper School : Entrance to Pathways Mrs Isaacs : Work Related Learning Officer Mrs Weston : Careers administrator Your parents will be given information and advice so they can help you make choices. Your teachers will guide you to make the right choices for you.

17. Put yourself first. It is important to choose options that interest & motivate you. You don’t have to have a career in mind when choosing your options – you just need to choose a broad range of subjects that will give you plenty of choice post Smithills If you DO have a career in mind however, you need to research this carefully to see what subjects you should be studying and what level of qualification you need to have achieved by each stage.

18. ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS IN LIFE! PLAN YOUR ROUTE CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE YOU

19. CHOOSE YOUR OPTIONS WISELY Get all the advice you can before making any final decisions.