By the time students get to the end of Year 7 they will have:

• Had opportunities to reflect on personal qualities and the way they relate to their peers.
• Begun to identify their strengths and how they can make the best use of them.
• Through the Abbey Character and Abbey Pledges, began to develop skills required beyond the classroom in order to prepare for a future in the modern workplace.
• Started finding out about different career areas and qualification routes that might interest them in the future through form time activities, Unifrog, assemblies and PSHCE activities.
• Taken part in activities to improve their career-related skills. For example, BBC School Report
• Taken part in a GCSE taster day to start them thinking about GCSE option choices.
• Given information so that they have an understanding of the options that are available to them beyond Abbey Grange.

By the time students get to the end of Year 8 they will have:

• Built upon the self-development skills they worked on in Year 7 in lessons, on the Abbey pledges and in enrichment opportunities.
• Started to develop their financial management skills, including budgeting & banking and learned about rights & responsibilities at work, discrimination and stereotyping.
• Taken part in PSHCE sessions to further develop their knowledge about different career areas and to identify their skills and interests.
• Completed the careers software questionnaire – Unifrog & Kudos, to identify their skills and interests related to the world of work and explore career ideas that might interest them.
• Had optional access to impartial information, advice and guidance from our professional careers adviser at a parent’s request.

By the time students get to the end of Year 9 they will have:

• Used their developing knowledge of themselves and various career pathways to help choose GCSE options. Additional support from school including Year 9 ‘Moving On’ evening, subject teachers and an individual meeting with an ELT or SLT member
• Continued with career exploration and self-development by taking part in careers sessions delivered through PSHCE drop down days. Sessions will focus on developing transferable skills, growth mind set, Unifrog and understanding tax. This will be further developed through assemblies and the Abbey character.
• Had optional access to impartial information, advice and guidance from the professional careers adviser at a parent’s request
• If looked after or have additional needs, a one-to-one interview to discuss post 16 options.

By the time students get to the end of Year 10 they will have:

• Taken part in workshops with local employers in PSHCE drop down days. This will help students understand the world of work and develop employability skills such as problem solving, team work, working with budgets, creativity and innovation, presentation skills and working to deadlines. Workshops include those run by Shine Careers, the Ahead Partnership, National Careers Service, and the Careers & Enterprise Company
• Had the opportunity to attend careers talks during the school year from visiting speakers on a variety of topics including apprenticeships, higher level and degree apprenticeships, colleges, CV writing and interview skills.
• Attended the July Careers Fair and networked with twenty or more employers
• Had another chance to complete the careers software package – Kudos, to identify their abilities and aspirations, and possible career areas that might interest them. Access to Unifrog throughout the academic year to shape and consolidate future aspirations.
• Used the National Careers Service website to research jobs, skills, entry requirements, training and pay for a variety of jobs.
• Will have begun the process of having an individual careers guidance interview with the school’s professional careers’ adviser as part of their entitlement to receive impartial information, advice and guidance. This will continue in year 11.
• Received a written action plan following a careers interview, outlining future plans and action points needed to achieve these.
• Had additional optional access to impartial information, advice and guidance from the school’s professional careers’ adviser
• If looked after or have additional needs, a one-to-one interview to discuss post 16 options.

Student Entitlement Statement

By the time students get to the end of Year 11 they will have:

• Attended Year 11 ‘Moving On’ evening to help make decisions about post 16 options.
• Had the opportunity to attend careers talks during the school year from visiting speakers on a variety of topics.
• Used the National Careers Service website to research jobs, skills, entry requirements, training and pay for a variety of jobs
• Produced a CV and covering letter that focuses on their skills and qualities
• Had instruction on how to complete application forms for courses and vacancies.
• Been made aware of all the post 16 choices available to them, through presentations on PSHCE Drop down days and the careers website.
• Informed about the different levels of apprenticeships including the benefits of Higher Level Apprenticeships
• Had an individual careers guidance interview with the school’s professional careers’ adviser as part of their entitlement to receive impartial information, advice and guidance
• Received a written action plan following their careers interview, outlining future plans and action points needed to achieve these
• Made an application for post 16 courses either through Abbey Grange sixth form applications or through the area other schools’ websites, following preparation sessions in school to guide them through the process
• Had additional optional access to impartial information, advice and guidance from the school’s professional careers adviser.
• Had the opportunity to have a mock interview for sixth form or apprenticeship admission.
• If looked after or have additional needs a one-to-one interview to discuss post 16 options. They will receive addition support to help them apply included arranged visits to preferred colleges.

By the time students get to the end of Sixth Form they will have:

• Gained first-hand experience of the world of work by undertaking a week of work experience, in a working environment that is related to A level courses being undertaken. Students will be responsible for arranging the placement. This will help them learn about employability skills and the job market.
• Have an additional one-to-one interview to discuss post 18 options if needed.
• Attended sessions on higher education, gap years, student finance in PSHCE drop down days.
• Visited Universities and attended a HE and Careers/ Apprenticeship fair.
• Had the opportunity to attend careers talks during the school year from visiting speakers on a variety of topics including apprenticeships, Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships – gathering essential information such as when and how to apply.
• Updated their CV with their new qualifications and skills.
• Had additional optional access to impartial information, advice and guidance from the school careers’ adviser to help them make decisions about post 18 options.
• Been guided through the UCAS application process and made an application through UCAS, if they intend to go to university.
• Had the opportunity to have a mock interview for employment or university admission.

In the event they decide to change their academic or career ideas, attended an Interview with the careers professional to discuss all their options for further study, apprenticeships or employment.

Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance

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To develop pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to life in a rapidly changing world

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Aims of the Careers Programme

Abbey Grange believes that every learner should have opportunities to learn about the world of work, employability skills and the personal qualities that are valued in the workplace in order to increase the self-confidence of pupils and raise aspirations. Pupils can then make informed choices about future careers and develop employability skills.

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The careers programme promotes equal opportunities and challenges stereotypical thinking and attitudes. It helps pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs, to overcome any overt and/or hidden barriers to progress that they may encounter and ensures that all pupils receive appropriate information and guidance, especially at key decision and transition points.

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High Quality Provision

Abbey Grange is currently working towards the Quality in Careers Standard Award. The school is also working towards full implementation of the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure that careers provision is of the highest quality for pupils.

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 The Gatsby Benchmarks are:

1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

Careers Information of interest to teachers on the school web-site includes:

1. Overview of the Careers Programme
2. Parent Information
3. Pupil Information
4. Employer Information
5. PSHCE Curriculum Information

Further Information

Please contact P.Golding, Assistant Principal, for more information: pgolding@abbeygrangeacademy.co.uk

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Abbey Grange Academy is very keen to establish links between with employers and employees in the local community and beyond.

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The Careers programme is continually being developed and evaluated. Abbey Grange believes that every learner should have opportunities to learn from employers about the world of work, employability skills and the personal qualities that are valued in the workplace. This will increase the self-confidence of pupils and raise aspirations. Pupils can then make informed choices about future careers and develop employability skills.

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Abbey Grange is currently working towards the Quality in Careers Standard. We constantly adapt the Careers offering at Abbey Grange to ensure that our students acquire the skills necessary for life beyond Abbey Grange. We believe we fully implement the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure that careers provision is of the highest quality for pupils.

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The Gatsby Benchmarks are:

1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

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As an employer you can support all our pupils significantly and help us to achieve or goals. We are committed to allowing our young people to positively transition out of secondary school life, equipped for the world of work, with the skills required to solve industry challenges and the knowledge to ensure a successful future.

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Business Owners and Employers can support the school by:

1. Attending a Careers Fair or networking event
2. Offering work experience
3. Offering a visit to your place of work
4. Careers Talks
5. Pupil Mentoring

Abbey Grange is currently looking to develop links with employers to help meet Benchmarks 5 and 6, at all Key Stages. Further information is contained in the Provider Access Policy on the website.

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Please contact Mr P Golding, Assistant Principal, for more information: pgolding@abbeygrangeacademy.co.uk

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Careers Guidance at Abbey Grange connects learning to the future. Our aim is to motivate students by giving them a clearer idea of the routes to jobs and careers that they will find engaging and rewarding. We believe our careers guidance widens our students’ horizons, challenges stereotypes and raises aspirations. It provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make successful transitions to the next stage of their life. We support social mobility by improving opportunities for all students and instilling the belief in them that anything is possible.

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Our Careers Adviser Glyn Ellis is in Abbey Grange two days a week and uses this time to carry out individual careers interviews (parents are also invited), group work sessions and assemblies.  Glyn also takes part in every PSHCE drop down day and attends KS4 and 5 Parent consultation evenings.

At Abbey Grange our careers programme includes careers lessons in PSHCE drop down days, workshops, visiting speakers, visits to employers, work experience to name but a few activities.

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We meet the needs of the Eight Gatsby Benchmarks to offer a wide range of activities for all year groups. We constantly review our Careers and PSHCE offer to ensure it is up to date and meets the needs of our pupils in an ever changing society.

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Gatsby Benchmark

1. A stable Careers Programme
2. Learning from career and labour market
3. Addressing the needs of each student
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of Work placements
7. Encounters with Further and Higher education

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Personal Guidance

For the Careers progress students make, please see the Year 7 - Post 16 for the year group break downs.

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In the event they decide to change their academic or career ideas, attended an Interview with the careers professional to discuss all their options for further study, apprenticeships or employment.

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Please contact Mr P Golding, Assistant Principal, for more information: pgolding@abbeygrangeacademy.co.uk

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Why the Abbey Grange Careers Programme is important for all pupils

• You will have the opportunities to learn about the world of work, employability skills and the personal qualities that are valued in the workplace
• Our careers programme will increase your self-confidence of pupils and raise your aspirations
• It will help you make the right decisions at age 14 and age 16
• You will be able to make informed choices about further education and training, apprenticeships and future careers

High Quality Provision

We aim to give you the best experience possible. Abbey Grange is working towards the Quality in Careers Standard. The school is also working towards full implementation of the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure that careers provision is of the highest quality for all pupils.

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The Gatsby Benchmarks are:

1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

Overview of the Careers Programme:

As part of our Careers programme, you will:

• gain a better understanding of yourself, your personal qualities, interests, potential, weaknesses, limitations and areas for development
• make choices about post-14 courses and learning programmes
• use careers materials to research information on possible future careers
• get independent careers advice and guidance from outside speakers who come into school
• develop knowledge of the workplace
• develop employability skills
• look at range of information about employment and education options
• find out about jobs in the local area [labour market information]
• find out about entry requirements and progression routes to further and higher education
• have a one to one Careers interview in Year 11 & 12.
• Get information on apprenticeships.
• Meet a range of providers at the Careers Day and other events regading key areas such as further & higher education, training, university, work, and student finance.

One to One Careers Interviews

• Our Careers Officer is Mr Ellis, a qualified and experiences independent Careers Adviser, Mr Ellis is in school at least twice per week.
• You can refer yourself for a careers interview at any point via your Form Tutor, Head of Year, SLT. An appointment with the careers adviser will then be arranged. Year 11 & 12 are given priority for careers interviews.
• A careers interview gives you the chance to think and talk about your future plans and the sort of career you would like, the opportunity to find out more about apprenticeships, colleges, sixth form courses and work based learning as well as university
• During a careers interview you will be asked about your targets and your current progress, your interests in and out of schools, your skills. If you have a career in mind, you will be able to discuss your plans. If you do not know what you want to do, you will be able to look at some possibilities. You will be given useful websites and information so that you can do further research. You do not need to make any decisions at the interview.
• The overview of the interview will be recorded and all teachers will have access to this so that they can have conversations with you about your future.
• Parents are welcome to your careers interview.

Further Information

Please contact Mr P Golding, Assistant Principal, for more information: pgolding@abbeygrangeacademy.co.uk

‍STEM Careers

'Where Can it take You'

Earth and Environmental Science

• Aquarist
• Cartographer  
• Climate Change Analyst
• Diver
• Environmental Scientist
• Geo-scientist
• Hydrologist
• Industrial Health & Safety Engineer
• Meteorologist
• Park Ranger
• Soil and Water Conservationist
• Soil Scientist
• Surveyor
   

Maths & Computer Science

• Actuary
• Accounting
• Banking
• Computer Hardware Engineer
• Computer Programmer
• Computer Software Engineer
• Computer Systems Analyst
• Data Scientist
• Database Administrator
• Economist Finance/Financial Analyst
• Maths Teacher
• Mathematician
• Multimedia Artist or Animator
• Network Systems & Data Communications Analyst
• Remote Sensing Scientist Quality Assurance Engineer & Tester Software Engineer
• Statistician

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Health

• Audiologist
• Biomedical Engineer
• Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician
• Certified Diabetes Educator
• Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetist(CRNA)
• Chiropractor
• Cytotechnologist
• Dental Hygienist
• Dietitian or Nutritionist
• Emergency Medical Technicians &Paramedic
• Endocrinologist
• Epidemiologist
• Health Educator
• Haematologist
• Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technician
• Medical Social Worker
• Neurologist
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Optometrist
• Paramedic
• Pathologist
• Pharmacist
• Physical Therapist
• Physician
• Registered Nurse
• Respiratory Therapist
• Science Writer
• Speech-Language Pathologist

Physical Science

• Astronomer
• Aviation Inspector
• Chemical Technician
• Chemist
• Chemistry Teacher
• Electrician 
• Film Editor
• Food Scientist
• Nuclear Power Operator
• Occupational Health & Safety Specialist
• Physicist
• Physics Teacher
• Pilot
• Sound Engineer
  

How the School measures & accesses the impact of the careers programme on pupils

• The school is using the ‘Compass evaluation tool’ to assess ongoing progress in relation to the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.
• The school has a ‘Careers Plan’ in place to track progress in relation to this year's priorities and the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.
• The ‘Careers Plan’ is reviewed yearly.

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The following steps are in place to evaluate the effectiveness of its careers programme each year.

The evaluation cycle involves:

1. Review of the objectives of the programme with a focus on outcomes for learners & assessing if the objectives have been met
2. Focus on the delivery of the programme and evidence of impact on pupils
3. Using feedback to adapting the programme to continuously improve it so it meets the objectives

The evaluation also involves looking at a range of evidence such as:

• attainment
• progress
• options pathways
• destinations data
• feedback from students e.g. their understanding of different careers and pathways

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Feedback from other stakeholders includes:

• parents/carers
• teachers
• governors
• employers

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An outline of the evaluation schedule is as follows:

1. Are we making the best use of the resources we have allocated for careers work? (Termly)

• The effectiveness of different guidance interventions, e.g. one-to one interviews, small group work, drop-in sessions, mentoring.

2. Are we optimising students’ learning from the careers programme?

• Evaluation of career activities and events (ongoing).
• The learning outcomes achieved at the end of KS3, KS4 & 5.

3. How well are students succeeding in taking the next steps in their education, training or employment that are ‘right for them’?

• The effectiveness of the Year 9 options process
• The destinations achieved at the end of KS4 & 5- EG Destinations Report