Careers/Post 16
Careers Education at Alcester Academy
Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance
At Alcester Academy we aim to provide clear careers guidance and advice to motivate and inspire our students. This begins in year 7 and continues through to year 11, where students then go onto many post 16 destinations. This is implemented through the daily curriculum, specific events and activities, alongside our super learning days.
Our curriculum provision for careers education is focused on the Gatsby benchmarks ensures all our students have the opportunity to participate in tutor work, careers focused assemblies, employer talks and visits to colleges and workplaces, mock interviews, work experience and super learning days.
Our Career Zone provides a variety of information and guidance from our designated careers coordinator.
Careers Entitlement
All pupils attending the school are entitled to a careers programme.
- Receive a stable careers programme from Year 7 that continues until they leave school
- Receive relevant careers guidance and have access to independent careers information and guidance, including labour market data where relevant.
- Receive personal advice that helps pupils to achieve their individual careers goal – whether this is Further / Higher Education, an apprenticeship or employment.
- Be equipped with the necessary skills to prosper in further education and employment.
- Have the relevant knowledge to make realistic and achievable goals based on their own interests and skills, whilst taking into account local job market information and relevant entry requirements.
- Receive up-to-date information about careers and skill-development opportunities.
- Understand how different subjects help keep different options open.
- Have access to additional help, whether this need is generated from a change of decision, personal circumstances or additional needs.
- Have meaningful and helpful encounters with employers and other education providers.
- Have a minimum of one week’s work experience if wanted (optional)
Pupils are expected to:
- Fully engage with careers lessons and activities.
- Utilise the available careers resources
- Record careers-related skills, participation and research, reflect upon what has been learnt.
- Identify and set goals for the future.
- Actively participate in workshops, presentations and visits from external employers or providers.
- Attend informative events such as Options Evening and the Careers fair.
- Take advantage of opportunities offered outside school, such as school trips and projects.
Parents are entitled to have:
- Access to links to the National Careers Service information and other independent websites and
- Resources via the school website.
- The opportunity to contact the independent careers advisor, careers lead and careers coordinator.
- Access to information and guidance through parent information evenings including choosing options & post 16 options.
Gatsby Benchmarks
At Alcester Academy we are committed to implementing the Gatsby Benchmarks. These guidelines ensure that we are meeting our statutory requirements for your child’s careers education and our careers provision must meet these Benchmarks by the end of 2020.
The Benchmarks are as follows:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experience of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
You can find details of the Gatsby Benchmarks in full here:
www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance
Google classroom
Career Zone - Class code: a3hdvcr
Year 7-11 students are invited to visit the Career Zone this is updated daily with the latest information on specific events, activities, jobs, post 16, apprenticeships plus virtual tours at colleges, workplaces, and universities.
Post 16 Classroom - Class code: Wauovgl
Specifically for our year 11 students this is updated with all the latest post 16 information.
Alcester Academy Careers Programme
We aim to provide a stimulating and varied careers education programme for our students. Activities include:
- A structured programme of careers lessons in all year groups
- Careers information on suitable study options and labour market information, available in the Careers Zone and from the Careers Leader on request
- Tailored activities for individuals or groups of students with specific careers interests or requirements
- Curriculum lessons which highlight the relevance of learning subjects which lead to a wide variety of career paths
- Opportunities to learn from employers and employees at internal and external careers fairs, super-learning days and careers talks
- Opportunities to visit local companies and organisations with the option of work experience in Year 10
- Careers talks in school by sixth form and college staff, with optional taster days in schools, colleges and universities
- Personal guidance interviews for every student by a trained careers advisor
Our careers programme measures effectiveness using feedback mechanisms for Parents, Teachers, Students and Employers which informs future provision.
Destinations after Year 11
All major providers of education post 16 will be visiting the Academy during the Autumn Term. Attendance at these events is strongly recommended.- Representative from sixth forms, colleges and apprenticeship providers will be on hand at the Year 11 Parents’ Evening. They will be there to answer all questions on the application process, entry requirements and education post 16.
- Colleges and apprenticeship providers will be exhibiting at Alcester Ambitions Careers Fair, which is attended by all students during the school day.
- Representatives of sixth forms will hold lunchtime meetings or assemblies to discuss the A Level curriculum and application process in detail.
Sixth Form and College Open Events
Please check the website of establishments you wish to visit in order to obtain up-to-date information. Some schools and colleges may request that you register online to attend open events.
