Gayle Fox
It can be daunting for any student leaving school, but particularly for students of LVS Oxford, who have received tailored support and assistance to help them blossom into mature and independent individuals.
Gayle Fox, the school’s career guidance adviser, work experience and transitions co-ordinator, who has been with the school for the past nine years, helps prepare the students to take that all-important next step. During her time with LVS Oxford, Gayle has built excellent relationships with local colleges, forging strong connections that support each student’s next step.
“I work closely with both parents and colleges, providing support and guidance on their child’s options — whether that be enrolling in mainstream courses or transitioning through a foundation pathway to help them adjust to the college environment,” says Gayle.
“All of LVS Oxfords’ staff work towards giving the students the best outcomes they can possibly have, with support and strategies in place that are student-centred and tailored to that individual.”
“When additional support is needed for a smooth transition, I arrange extra visits to the colleges. I keep parents regularly informed about open events and other key opportunities.”
Gayle explains that the transition to college can be just as stressful for parents, as it is for students. “I strive to make the process more manageable by maintaining open and consistent communication. In the upper school, I believe our team works collaboratively to create an environment that supports, educates and equips our students with the skills they need to move forward with confidence and excitement about their future.”
The work experience programmes that the school has in place for Year 10s has produced great results for the students, with LVS Oxford having forged successful partnerships with local business people, who act as mentors to the visiting students.
“Our work experience partnerships are the reason why our students progress as well as they do, through gaining experience of social communication and interaction while on the programmes,” says Gayle, who invites experts from the colleges to come into school to speak to the students about college life. The school also attends careers festivals, with groups of upcoming school leavers visiting and touring local colleges.
“All of LVS Oxfords’ staff work towards giving the students the best outcomes they can possibly have, with support and strategies in place that are student-centred and tailored to that individual,” says Gayle.
“We build their confidence. They leave here knowing that they can have a future: I can go to work, I can earn money, I can take holidays and buy nice things. They need that wider view to see what is out there for them.”