Overview

This 60-minute lesson is the tenth in a 15-lesson unit on Future Pathways Exploration. It introduces Year 11 students to the essential components of an effective CV and guides them to begin drafting a personal CV tailored to their career aspirations. The lesson is designed for one-to-one delivery, allowing for personalised support and feedback.

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National Curriculum Links

This lesson supports the Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) as outlined in the national curriculum for England, particularly:

• Personal Development: Develop skills to prepare for future employment, including understanding professional expectations and communication.
• PSHE Education (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education):
  • Learning Outcome: Pupils should be able to plan and manage personal career development and progression.
  • Key Competencies: Reflecting on personal skills and interests, understanding job application processes, communicating effectively in writing.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Identify and explain the main sections of a CV: personal details, personal statement, skills, qualifications, work experience, and interests.
2. Analyse examples of effective and ineffective CVs, recognising features that enhance employability.
3. Begin drafting a personalised CV targeted at a chosen future career or further education pathway.
4. Apply clear, concise, and formal language suitable for professional documentation.

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Resources Required

• Sample CVs (effective and ineffective examples) – printed or digital
• CV template (editable Word or Google Docs)
• Checklist of CV components and tips
• Pen and paper or laptop/tablet for drafting CV
• Career aspiration worksheet (to clarify student’s goals)

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Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Details / Teacher Notes
0-5m	Starter: Career Goal Revisit	Recall student’s chosen career path from previous lessons. Use questioning to activate prior knowledge about job role requirements.
5-15m	Key Components Exploration	Present and discuss the main CV sections. Use examples to highlight different sections and their purpose. Relate to National Curriculum focus on communication skills.
15-25m	CV Critique Activity	Student reviews two contrasting CV examples, identifying strengths and weaknesses (clarity, formatting, relevance of information). Encourage critical thinking and self-reflection.
25-35m	Personal Career Reflection	Use a career aspiration worksheet to list: skills possessed, qualifications gained, relevant experience, and interests linked to career goals. Supports self-awareness and personal development.
35-55m	Drafting Personal CV	Using the insights gained, student begins to draft their own CV in the template. Teacher acts as facilitator, providing scaffolded prompts and encouraging formal language use.
55-60m	Plenary & Next Steps	Discuss progress and set targets for finalising CV in next lessons. Emphasise importance of tailoring CVs for each application, linking to national emphasis on employability skills.

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Differentiation and Personalisation

• One-to-one setting permits flexible pacing according to student needs.
• Scaffold writing with starter phrases for personal statements and skills sections.
• Encourage student to bring insights from prior lessons on future pathways.
• Adapt examples to suit student’s chosen career pathway for relevance and motivation.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative Assessment through observation of student’s ability to identify CV components and engage in critique discussions.
• Assessment of Draft CV: Review content relevance, clarity, structure, and language use.
• Instant verbal feedback with guidance for improvement.
• Use plenary discussion to set personalised targets aligned with CEIAG competencies in the national curriculum.

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Extension / Homework

• Refine CV draft by adding detailed achievements and tailored personal statements.
• Research specific job descriptions to further tailor CV content.

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Teacher Tips

• Use real-world job adverts linked to the student’s career interests to highlight how CVs need to be customised.
• Encourage use of action verbs (e.g., organised, led, developed).
• Explore digital CV tools and online portfolios in future lessons to build digital literacy for career readiness.
• Remember to emphasise the importance of honesty and accuracy to maintain integrity and trustworthiness in professional contexts.

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This lesson plan embeds key national curriculum objectives around personal development and career readiness, equipping Year 11 students with practical skills for their future pathways. The tailored one-to-one approach allows for meaningful engagement and deeper understanding of CV writing essentials.