Careers Guidance

Careers Summary

Students are given time every week during form time to log on and explore, build up a profile and research careers that have been identified and suit their individual characteristics, qualities and interests via Start Profile.

Start Profile is used to inform the academy, teachers and careers staff of any potential interests a student may have. Staff will then endeavour to create opportunities for students to have meaningful encounters with further and higher education providers as well as independent companies and employers that offer good quality apprenticeships.

The Eight Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Careers Guidance are:

1. A stable careers programme
Our school will have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.

2. Learning from career and labour market information (LMI)
Every student, and their parents, will have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities, that is relevant to our local area, supported by an informed adviser to make best use of available information.

3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student. Our school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
All teachers will link curriculum learning with careers where possible. STEM subject teachers will highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths where lesson opportunities present themselves.

5. Encounters with employers and employees
Every student will have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace, in particular within curriculum lessons, at least one per year.

6. Experiences of workplaces
Every student will have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.

7. Encounters with further and higher education
All students will understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace

8. Personal guidance
Every student will have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career adviser, who is trained at Level 6 or higher, whenever significant study or career choices are being made. These interviews will be expected for all students but should be timed to meet their individual needs.

The Academy uses The COMPASS tool to measure the impact of our careers programme on students. This is reviewed every term and the appropriate improvements are made to ensure that students are provided with the best careers experience possible.

Click here to view the Academy’s Access Provider Policy

Careers Leader: Chris McColl | [email protected] | 01977 698000