Vision

At Colchester Academy we are dedicated to delivering a Careers programme designed to develop the knowledge, understanding, confidence and skills for our students’ need to make an informed choice about their future. We want our programmes to install ambition, resilience and drive to achieve, both in school and beyond; to enable our students to map their pathway to success and learn the necessary skills to get where they want to go.

Our programme is embedded within our Skills for Life curriculum, as well as in our tutor group sessions and subject areas across the school.  We aim for our students to progress effectively into further learning and work, now and in the future.

We prepare students for life beyond school by providing them with a range of careers-related guidance and opportunities for learning about the world of work. 

Our curriculum offers both technical and academic qualifications that link directly to opportunities post-16 through our local providers and beyond.

A member of the Senior Leadership Team has strategic responsibility for CEIAG, working in liaison with the Career Administrator. CEIAG specific schemes of work are embedded into the Skills for Life curriculum and form part of our tutor time and assembly programmes in all year groups.  Additional seminars/webinars are also available via school trips and extracurricular activities. 

As a school support the notion of and comply with school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997 (The Baker Clause)

All pupils in years 8-11 are entitled:

• to find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;
• to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options events, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;
• to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

Should a provider wish to access our students in Years 8 to 11 please email our careers team.
Email: careers@colchesteracademy.org.uk

Year Group Activities Across the Academic Year

• How can we be aspirational students?
• My Journey to University – in conjunction with Make Happen
• Dream Jobs – introduction to careers, with students looking at what they might like to do in the future    
• National Apprenticeship Week (February) – tutor time and assembly focus on the importance and benefits of apprenticeships      
• Colchester Academy Careers Festival
• PiXL LORIC
• Variety of Work Related experiences - employers and further education experiences

Year 8

• Careers focus - Communication
• Careers focus - Entrepreneurs
• Career focus - Team work
• My Journey to University – in conjunction with Make Happen
• National Apprenticeship Week (February) – tutor time and assembly focus on the importance and benefits of apprenticeships      
• Job Explorer Database (JED) - introduction to investigating different careers and job opportunities
• National Apprenticeship Week (February) – tutor time and assembly focus on the importance and benefits of apprenticeships      
• Colchester Academy Careers Festival
• PiXL LORIC
• Variety of Work Related experiences - employers and further education experiences

Year 9

• Employability
• Work skills - 3 lessons on skills needed in the working environment
• "Self-discipline to achieve"
• Full range of tutor time videos and sessions from sectors of industry
• My Journey to University – in conjunction with Make Happen
• Careers Fayre in conjunction with GT Scholars
• National Apprenticeship Week (February) – tutor time and assembly focus on the importance and benefits of apprenticeships      
• Colchester Academy Careers Festival
• PiXL LORIC
• Variety of Work Related experiences - employers and further education experiences

Year 10

• Oxbridge Programme - in conjunction with Cambridge University
• Empowering Women in Business – Teach First
• Preparing for work experience
• The right career for me
• What are employers looking for?
• Full range of tutor time videos and sessions from sectors of industry
• Careers Fayre in conjunction with GT Scholars
• National Apprenticeship Week (February) – tutor time and assembly focus on the importance and benefits of apprenticeships   
• CV writing - follows up from the Year 9 work and completion of a full CV
• Independent Careers guidance interviews available to all
• Mock interview – this takes place with the support of employers from local businesses, school Governors and members of the Rotary Club
• Colchester Academy Careers Festival
• Variety of Work Related experiences - employers and further education experiences

Year 11

• Applying to colleges and university
• Health and Safety at work
• How do unions protect workers?
• How to prepare for job interviews
• Full range of tutor time videos and sessions from sectors of industry
• Oxbridge Programme - in conjunction with Cambridge University
• National Apprenticeship Week (February) – tutor time and assembly focus on the importance and benefits of apprenticeships      
• Empowering Women in Business – Teach First
• Careers Fayre in conjunction with GT Scholars
• Further education providers are invited to support this year group make their final decision
• Students have until Christmas to apply for their Post 16 choice
• Independent Careers guidance interviews available to all
• Colchester Academy Careers Festival
• Variety of Work Related experiences - employers and further education experiences

Measuring Impact

We measure our success via our NEET figures and the confirmation of how many of our students successfully go on to further education or work-based training.  Additionally, we seek feedback from parents/carers, our independent careers advisers (Directions) and most importantly, our students.  We are rigorous in our tracking of NEET figures and work very closely with our further education and training providers to ensure our students are given every opportunity to secure their next steps. We take our responsibility for ensuring all our students access further education or training in line with statutory requirements.

The school monitors delivery in lessons, learning walks and student evaluation through an Each student has a personalised careers plan developed in conjunction with our independent careers provider, Directions.

Quality Assurance of the Programme

1) The quality of independent careers providers including feedback from students and staff

2) The quality of careers delivery through learning walks conducted by SLT and feedback from students and from staff delivering the programme

3)The impact of the programme in securing our students places in further education and/or employment and training (NEET Figures)

Gatsby Benchmarks

Gatsby Benchmarks are used as a guide to ensure all our students are gaining the most out of the CEIAG programme as possible and form part of our programme of study, either in Skills for Life or our tutor, assembly or extracurricular activities.  We aim to expose our students to a wide variety of experiences and to as many industry employers, to widen their understanding of the world of work and the opportunities open to them, in order to plan a bright future.

1. A stable careers programme – running from Year 7 to 11 opening up opportunities to learn about the world of work and the skills associated
2. Learning from career and labour market information – a variety of activities that students can engage in, both in school, online and with a variety of employers and Universities
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil – through PSHE lessons, tutor time engagement, external organisation events & activities and independent careers advice
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers – through well-planned, sequenced and engaging CEIAG targeted lessons as part of our PSHE and tutor time programme from Years 7 to 11; encouraging students to strive beyond what they think is possible
5. Encounters with employers and employees – through online careers events, in school mock interviews & session and a variety of colleges and employers invited in to run sessions/assemblies to open up the idea of possibility to all our students, both in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4
6. Experiences of workplaces – students are encouraged to engage with a number of employer experiences through school, such as GT Scholars and Teach First Women in Finance encounters, as well as seeking work experience outside of school at weekends and school holidays with parental permission and guidance
7. Encounters with further and higher education – students are encouraged to engage with the Oxbridge programme, Essex University, programmes run via Make Happen, Barclays Life, GT Scholars, Teach First and other organisations throughout the year.  Some sessions are available in school, others online or at weekends
8. Personal guidance – our independent careers advisory service, Directions, is in school every week giving independent careers advice to all our students in both Year 10 and 11, ensuring they have a personalised programme of advice and the knowledge to seek and apply for the jobs/courses they want to pursue.

Raising of the Participation Age [RPA]

Raising of the Participation Age (RPA) is a government policy which has increased the minimum age at which young people in England can leave learning. It means all young people are required to participate in education, training or employment until their 18^th birthday.

Does this mean every student has to remain in full-time education until age 18?

Not necessarily. Raising of the Participation Age does not mean raising the school leaving age, nor does it mean that every young person needs to be in full time education.

Young people will be able to choose from one of the following options:

• Full-time education, such as school or college
• Work-based learning, such as an apprenticeship
• Part-time education or training if they are employed, self- employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours a week.

They will have the choice of lots of different qualifications including A-levels, further GCSEs, apprenticeships, and vocational courses.

The September Guarantee

The September Guarantee is a guarantee of an offer, made by the end of September, of an appropriate place in post 16 education or training for every young person completing compulsory education.

Ensuring that every young person has an offer of a place to progress onto is particularly important, as it helps young people to make a seamless transition into post 16 learning or employment with training.

The September Guarantee is supported by good quality information, advice, and guidance. This can come from a number of sources which include:

• Teachers
• Parents and family friends
• Careers Coordinators and Guidance Advisers
• On-line and printed information about courses, progression routes and employment routes

What does the Guarantee offer?

The September Guarantee is an offer of a place in one of the following:

• A school sixth form
• A college of further education
• Employment and training to at least level 2
• An apprenticeship

Building a CV

Understanding how to submit a relevant CV that grabs the attention of potential employers is a critical initial step in preparing for the workplace. Many applications for work fail at the first stages of the job application process, simply because the CV hasn’t been completed sufficiently to make you stand out from the crowd. We will be bringing new information soon that helps you develop a CV and understand what is being looked for by businesses seeking fresh talent.

Interview Skills

Even if you are invited for interview, your presentation i.e. how you look, your attitude and behaviour during the interview, and your responses to questions put to you are all going to be critical in achieving success in the interview process. We will be looking at how you can maximise your effectiveness during the process over the next few weeks.

Useful Links and Information

Pathway to College
Introduction to T Levels
Colchester Institute Induction 2020
Colchester Institute - Its your life
Colchester Institiute - 2020/2021 Prospectus
Suffolk New College Presentation 2020
Suffolk New College T Level courses
Writtle University College - Virtual Hub
Information for Students joining The Colchester Sixth Form September 2020
SIGMA Sixth Football Academy
SIGMA Sixth Rugby Academy

Suffolk Rural College (Previously Otley College)
www.suffolk.ac.uk/schoolpresentation
http://www.suffolk.ac.uk/tasterevents

Colchester Institute
2021 Interview Process and January online Zoom sessions

Colchester Sixth Form
Online Applications opened on Friday 16 October for September 2021 entry
Applications must be made online at https://www.colchsfc.ac.uk/applications/
View Introduction to College
How to Apply for a Place
How to choose your course of study
Look out for more material on YouTube as part of the online ‘Open Evening’ to be launched on 23 October 2020

Colchester Royal Grammar School
Virtual Sixth Form Open Evening Tuesday 3 November at 7.00pm - https://www.crgs.co.uk/120/latest-news/article/265/virtual-sixth-form-open-evening

Suffolk New College
The taster events in October (all sites) will be virtual only – unfortunately there will be no appointments available. Go to www.suffolk.ac.uk/tasterevents
The new prospectus is on the website and can be accessed via www.suffolk.ac.uk/prospectus
Virtual Taster Day
Suffolk New College Taster Events Flyer

Writtle University College
In person bookable campus tours 7th November 2020 

Pathway to apprenticeships and job opportunities
Colchester Institute Apprenticeship Applications are now open for 2021 go to: https://www.colchester.ac.uk/apprenticeships/how-to-apply/
First Intuition Accountancy Academy Free Summer School 2021
National Apprenticeship service Information
National Apprenticeship service workbook
How to write a winning apprenticeship application
The A-Z of Apprenticeships
The essential guide to apprenticeship support
Apprenticeships advice and guidance
Website: www.notgoingtouni.co.uk  Details: Jobs, training and college options for those that may not go to university
Website: www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk  Details of local and national apprenticeships
Website: www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk Details: Help, support and opportunities for young people finding their first job
Website: www.gov.uk/jobsearch Details: The job search website for Jobcentre Plus
Website: www.learnliveuk.com/careers/ Details: Connecting learners to Employers
At First Intuition, we are working alongside a number of companies who are looking to recruit new accountancy apprentices based in London, South Woodham Ferrers, Billericay and Wickford. We are currently also in talks with other companies in and around Essex about recruitment. If you know of any students who would like to pursue a career in accountancy and finance via an apprenticeship, please ask them to send a CV to at: rebeccawhite@fi.co.uk.

Pathway to University

Guide to Higher Education for Under 16's
Website: www.ucas.com Details: UCAS - Organisation responsible for managing applications to Higher Education courses
Website: www.prospects.ac.uk Details: overview of graduate opportunities
Website: www.russellgroup.ac.uk Details: Informed Choices booklet helps identify the A-level subjects and BTEC L3 courses required for degree entry at top-rated universities in the UK
Website: www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk Details: Teaching Excellence Framework provides information on teaching provision and student outcomes at Higher Education Institutions in the UK
Website: www.topuniversities.com/universities/country/united-kingdom Details: UK ranking of universities
Website: www.universitycompare.com A comprehensive university comparison site, offering students resources, tools, student discounts and university stats and rankings.
Hertford College - Oxford University
Website: www.theuniguide.co.uk

Pathway to study abroad opportunities
Website: www.fulbright.org.uk   Details: Fulbright Commission - studying in the USA
Website: www.astarfuture.co.uk   Details: A Star Future - study opportunities outside of the UK

Pathway to Gap Year opportunities
Website: www.projects-abroad.co.uk   Details: Projects Abroad- placements in 28 different countries ranging from volunteering with children, conservation work and internships
Website: www.raleighinternational.org  Details: Rayleigh International- they use young volunteers for projects that have a positive impact locally and globally
Website: www.podvolunteer.org  Details: Pod Volunteer - placements with animals; building and community; conservation; childcare; education
Website: www.sportlived.co.uk  Details: Sport Lived – placements in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Pathway to different employment sectors
Creative & Digital Sector Exploration Links and Resources:
Creative Careers
Screenskills (Screen Industries) 
Accenture Digital Skills Courses
Design your own video game challenge

Engineering & Manufacturing Sector Exploration Links and Resources:
Engineering
‘Young Engineers’
Young Engineers Video Library
Royal Academy of Engineering

Construction Sector Exploration Links and Resources:
WOW Show for construction special
Construction

Health & Social Care Sector Exploration and Resources:
WOW Show Healthcare special
NHS Careers ‘Cradle to Grave'
NHS Careers
Health Care/Key Workers ‘Career Chat’ with Inspiring the Future
Key Worker Recourse Activities

Renewables Sector Exploration Links and Resources:
Renewables
EDF
Bright Network

General Sector Exploration Links and Resources
National Careers Service
BBC Bitesize Careers
Springpod Learn Lounge Live and interactive talks
LMI For All
Career Pilot
I could ..
Take a virtual tour around these businesses to get an idea of what it is like to work there
I can be a ... 
Department for Education Careers Films

Pathway to clubs, societies, and volunteering
Website: www.vinspired.com Details: Connects 14- 25 year olds with volunteering opportunities in England
Website: www.ncvo.org.uk  Details: Volunteering in England
Website: www.volunteeressex.org Details: Volunteering in Essex
Website: www.dofe.org Details: The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Bronze, Silver, and Gold standards
Website: www.scouts.org.uk Details: Join the global scouting community
Website: www.girlguiding.org.uk Details: Join the global girl guiding community