CATSHILL Middle School has become the first middle school in Worcestershire to develop a careers advice programme, as part of a new government strategy.

Throughout Key Stages 2 and 3, pupils are undertaking various tasks and activities to support their journey to successful employment as part of the new Life Skills programme that has been developed by the school.

The scheme has been developed as part of The Department for Education Careers Strategy, which was published in December last year to improve careers guidance in schools.

Janet Lodge, assistant headteacher and strategic lead for curriculum, said: "We are committed to ensuring that our pupils are offered a broad and balanced curriculum that aims to prepare them for life in modern Britain.

"As part of this commitment, we want all our pupils to understand the full range of opportunities that will be available to them and to develop the transferable skills that will help them succeed in a future job market.

"We have been working in partnership with Worcestershire Apprenticeships who are responsible for delivering Career Enterprise Company funded programmes in our area.

"This year, so far, our pupils have undertaken teaching programmes on future career pathways, have undertaken a small business challenge, attended an assembly on apprenticeship routes and participated in a mock interview process.

"We are looking forward to working with our Enterprise Advisor to further develop our provision and are grateful to all those businesses, organisations and parents who have supported our events."