Careers Education, Information and Guidance

At Walbottle Academy we strive to support to every student to achieve and aim to raise their aspirations to believe in themselves. Through high quality careers education, information, advice and guidance programme, our students are supported to make realistic and informed decisions about their career pathways, to have high aspirations and to support them with achieving personal success and future economic wellbeing.

We support students in making well-informed decisions about significant study or career choices, by providing access to differentiated, impartial and independent information and guidance about the range of options (including academic, vocational, apprenticeships) that are most likely to help them to achieve their ambitions. By helping students with decisions at crucial stages, informing them of all their options and introducing them to employers, we aim to prepare them for the world of work regardless of the pathway they choose.

We have a careers programme designed to support our students at all stages of their learning journey. This programme will provide our students with the knowledge, inspiration and ability to take ownership of their own career action plans which will enable them to succeed in their chosen career paths. Our careers programme supports the achievement of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks as detailed in the Department for Education’s Statutory Guidance, January 2018.

To demonstrate our commitment to delivering high quality careers education, Walbottle Academy is working with Careers Inc to achieve the nationally recognised Quality in Careers Standard.

Careers Programme – Aims

Our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) Programme will:

• provide high quality independent and impartial careers advice to all students which raises aspirations and motivates them to consider a broad range of careers to fulfil their potential. By the age of 16 all students will have received at least one independent guidance interview.
• empower young people to plan and manage their own futures
• give careers and labour market information and advice that is up to date
• respond to the needs of each learner, supporting inclusion, challenging stereotyping and promoting equality of opportunity
• provide opportunities to work in partnership with employers to inspire students through real-life contact with the world of work. All students will participate in at least one meaningful employer encounter each year and have at least one experience of a workplace by the age of 16.
• provide opportunities to access a range of further and higher education institutions, training providers and others to ensure students are informed of all available pathways including
  technical education qualifications and apprenticeships
• develop enterprise and employability skills including skills for self-employment
• support students at key transition points

Core Careers Offer

All students at Walbottle Academy are entitled to receive a programme of careers education, work- related learning, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG and WRL). This will be delivered at appropriate times to support decision making.

Our core careers offer for all students includes:

• Access to independent careers guidance by a qualified professional – at least one interview by the age of 16
• Advice and support tailored to the needs of each student
• Activities which seek to challenge stereotypical thinking and raise aspirations
• Subject lessons linked to careers
• Employer encounters – at least one each year including STEM employers
• Experience of the workplace – at least one experience by the age of 16
• Opportunities to speak with/visit a range of further education, higher education and training providers
• Access to careers information via Tutor Time, bulletins, careers library and online resources
• Life Skills lessons
• Promotion of local labour market information
• Parental support and guidance

Provider Access Policy

Walbottle Academy offers opportunities for providers to meet with students. Please contact a member of our Careers Team to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.

Here is a copy of our Provider Access Policy which complies with Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

Careers Leader

Northern Education Trust Careers Leader: Mr Philip Carr – Director of Curriculum

Walbottle Academy Careers Leader:
Mr D Potts & Mr J Simpson
T: 0191 2678221
E: [email protected]

We welcome your feedback on our careers programme. If any members of Academy staff, council members, governors or parents wish to provide any feedback on Walbottle Academy’s careers programme, please feel free to contact the Academy Careers Lead.

National Careers Service

The National Careers Service is a service provided by the government to help you with your career, learning and training choices: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

The information on this page is due for review again in Autumn Term 2022.