For some schools , the careers programme appeared to be linked to a wider programme within the school . For example , in School D it appeared that careers advice is linked with PHSE sessions , where information about university would be combined with gender / stereotyping discussions .
The current challenges in engaging with HE outreach provision for named schools ( Q2 )
COVID-19
Clearly the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on provision over the past year , and schools have been unable to run trips ; nor have they been able to invite organisations into school . Whilst this has meant face to face contact has been extremely limited , schools have made use of technology to run some form of careers programme . Indeed , School A felt that the pandemic had opened the world in careers in terms of remote learning , whilst School C thought ‘ something is better than nothing ’. In terms of activities , School C had , for example , run employer talks pre-recorded , and School D had received online events from HEIs such as Bournemouth and Exeter . Generally , schools felt that ultimately careers advice is based on physically being in front of people ‘ They ’ re great but they ’ re never going to be the same as actually having that person with you ’ ( School C ). As School C added , they felt the impact of Covid may be greater in younger students who have missed out on opportunities to visit universities . The move to online learning has also created challenges for the schools . School D , for example , felt that online events had been variable in quality . They went on to say that those who needed the most support often had the poorest facilities at home . This was exacerbated by the rural nature of the school , with for example a lack of broadband in some areas .
Financial
Partially linked to Covid but also representative of a broader issue was the financial challenges within schools in relation to careers . School D discussed for example how finances for careers have been cut , providing the example of Dorset no longer funding Ansbury , thereby more funding pressures were being put onto schools . School C explicitly
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