Outline of Careers Programme – more details can be found in the table below
All students at Droylsden Academy take part in a careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) programme that:
The Academy also utilises Greater Manchester Apprenticeship & Careers Service and students use Xello (an online platform) to build up their career profiles, research further and higher education opportunities and complete a range of online assignments aimed at making students self-aware and allowing students to recognise and develop their personal attributes and employability skills.
The Pastoral Programme aims to help students understand more about themselves (self- know where to look for useful information and plan for the future. Students are encouraged to be reflective and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
The new Year 7 intake spend a day at Lancaster University as part of their induction into Droylsden Academy.
In Year 8, the Pastoral Programme aims to help students identify preferences that are appropriate to their interests and talents and potential careers. Students have an opportunity to practise budgeting.
They also get to develop their enterprise skills through the ‘Tenner Challenge’.
The Pastoral Programme aims to help students to understand more about themselves, find out about careers and the world of work, and help them to plan for their future. They consider their own employability skills and consider the workplaces of the future. Students are introduced to Local Market Information and from where it can be obtained.
Students in Year 9 and their parents/carers can attend the Futures Evening along offered in the spring term, where they are able to interact with representatives from a large number of local and national colleges, universities, employers and training providers to find out more about what they can offer.
In the summer term Year 9 have an additional opportunity to attend a Careers Fair offered by Tameside MBC.
During Year 10 the Programme supports students with the writing of a CV, preparing for interviews, and completing application forms. Assemblies are arranged and delivered by a range of providers to ensure that students are aware of the options available.
In the spring term students take part on a Drop Down Day with a focus on Financial Literacy delivered by the members of the Chartered Insurance Institute. In the summer term students have college taster days and take part in a further Drop Down Day focused on applications, CV writing and career choices; they also have mock interviews with a range of employers.
Students have 1:1 interviews with a qualified and independent Careers Adviser (G Palmer- Positive Steps).
Additionally, students in Year 10 and their parents/carers can attend the Futures Evening along offered in the spring term where they are able to interact with representatives from a large number of local and national colleges, universities, employers and training providers to find out more about what they can offer.
The Programme aims to consolidate the work from Year 10 by allowing students to identify a range of post-16 pathways and make informed choices about their future. Students complete final application forms (supported by Tutors and their Heads of Year), prepare CVs and personal statement and prepare for interviews.
Students have 1:1 interviews with a qualified and independent Careers Adviser (G Palmer- Positive Steps)Students in Year 11 and their parents/carers can attend the Futures Evening along offered in the spring term, where they are able to interact with representatives from a large number of local and national colleges, universities, employers and training providers to find out more about what they can offer.
A range of additional CEIAG related opportunities include:
Year | Autumn term | Spring term | Summer term |
---|---|---|---|
Y7 | Pastoral Programme: personal skills audit Pastoral Programme: budgeting | Pastoral Programme: Post 16 choices Pastoral Programme: National Careers Week | |
Y8 | GM Higher opportunities Scholar Programme opportunities Pastoral Programme: post 16 pathways Pastoral Programme: budgeting | GM Higher opportunities Scholar Programme opportunities Young Enterprise: Tenner Challenge Pastoral Programme: Goals and decisions Pastoral Programme: National Careers Week | GM Higher opportunities Scholar Programme opportunities |
Y9 | Assembly and tutor group opportunities – employability skills Pastoral Programme: UK qualification framework Pastoral Programme: Budgeting Overview of post 16 options for pupils and parents/carers, to include: A Levels, Applied General Qualifications (e.g., BTECs), Technical/Vocational Qualifications, Apprenticeships and Traineeships). GM Higher opportunities. Scholar Programme opportunities Futures Evening: ‘Market Stall’ allowing access for FE providers; Apprenticeships; Sixth Forms; Universities and other post 16 education providers. | GM Higher opportunities Scholar Programme opportunities Workplace safaris (e.g. BBC at Media City) Pastoral Programme: Employability skills Pastoral Programme: National Careers Week | GM Higher opportunities Scholar Programme opportunities Greenpower Project Careers Fair TMBC KS4 options event |
Y10 | Assemblies held by local Colleges, Apprenticeship Providers and Training Providers. Pastoral Programme: Post 16 choices academic v vocational Pastoral Programme: budgeting Greenpower project Futures Evening: ‘Market Stall’ allowing access for FE providers; Apprenticeships; Sixth Forms; Universities and other post 16 education providers Appointments with Positive Steps | Appointments with Positive Steps Financial literacy (as part of a Drop Down Day) Pastoral Programme: UK qualification framework- qualifications and pay Pastoral Programme: National Careers Week- Local Market Information | Drop Down Day: Interview Day- local and regional employers invited in to work with students (covering interview techniques – mock interview; application and CV writing) College Taster Day – students access local and regional further education providers Appointments with Positive Steps |
Y11 | Futures Evening: ‘Market Stall’ allowing access for FE providers; Apprenticeships; Sixth Forms; Universities and other post 16 education providers. Pastoral Programme: Post 16 choices- next steps Pastoral Programme: budgeting Assemblies held by local colleges, Apprenticeship and Training Providers. Access to Positive Steps on Parents Evening Appointments with Positive Steps | Apprenticeships – support with applications Apprentice week Pastoral Programme: UK qualification framework- qualifications and pay Pastoral Programme: National Careers Week- Local Market Information. Appointments with Positive Steps | Confirmation of Post 16 education destination |
The Academy also utilises Greater Manchester Apprenticeship & Careers Service and students use Xello (an online platform) to build up their career profiles, research further and higher education opportunities and complete a range of online assignments aimed at making students self-aware and allowing students to recognise and develop their personal attributes and employability skills.
In terms of measuring and assessing the impact of our Careers Programme, The Academy accepts the 8 Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Benchmarks as set out in the DfE guidance. Working closely with Sarah Power, our Enterprise Coordinator, we evaluate provision using Compass + at least once a term.
This allows us to measure the Academy’s progress against the Benchmarks. We receive a yearly report from the Careers and Enterprise Company.
With regard to our Careers Provision we take student voice through the Student Council and through student voice exercises following each careers event. We also seek the views of outside agencies and partner employers.
We also receive a yearly Moving On report from Positive Steps that allows us to track the destinations of our students and adjust our provision accordingly.