Intent for Careers Curriculum:

‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11

Our Vision:

To ensure that all students, irrespective of their background, gender, or previous achievement, have equitable access to gain the knowledge, skills, and self-belief needed to pursue and achieve their most ambitious future pathway.

Our Mission:

At each stage of their education, students receive unbiased information and up-to-date knowledge to prepare them for future success in an ever-changing careers landscape. They understand the pathways available to them and can make wise, informed decisions throughout their careers journey.

Archway Trust Careers Policy

ALT Careers Policy

Careers guidance and access for education and training providers May 2025

Statutory guidance Careers guidance and access for education and training providers Updated 8 May 2025

The Bluecoat Aspley Careers Programme

• Our careers education programme is delivered during tutor time.  For Years 7-10 between September and June and Years 11 September – February half term when they commence revision strategies.
• We are currently developing links to careers in all curriculum subjects: raising students awareness of FE and HE routes, jobs, labour market information and skills they are developing within each subject.
• Stakeholders including FE & HE providers, employers and employees deliver meaningful encounters through assemblies, presentations, workshops and work-based projects to ensure students gain insight into the world of work and are equipped to make informed choices about their best next steps.
• As part of the governments ambitious ‘Modern Work Experience’ from September 2026 every young person will be expected to complete:
  • At least one week of work experience activities in years 7-9
  • At least one week of placements in Years 10-11
• We offer all students 1:1 personal guidance meetings and tailored group guidance with qualified careers advisers.
• The continued support of our alumni sharing their inspiring careers journeys supports the raising of aspirations and awareness of opportunities aimed at widening participation.

 ‘If you can see it, you can be it’

We have developed an ambitious taught education programme using the Career Development Institute (CDI) Framework 2021. https://www.thecdi.net/resources/cdi-framework  endorsed by the government, businesses and key stakeholders.  The framework incorporates six learning areas and their associated learning aims for KS3 (Yrs. 7-9) and KS4 (Yrs. 10-11).

A a copy of the Archway Learning Trust education programme with links to the CDI Framework six learning aims, the Gatsby Benchmarks and the Careers & Enterprise Company Careers Impact Themes can be found here: Careers Convergence Curriculum Map Years 7 11 2025.26

Good career management skills are essential and we want to ensure our students

• Are familiar with all further education (FE) and higher education (HE) routes and qualification levels as they continue their lifelong learner journey.
• Identify reliable careers resources to support them to research and plan their best next steps.
• Develop informed decision-making skills.
• Learn where to find and how to interpret labour market information to support future decisions including skills shortage sectors and employers in the East Midlands.
• Confidently make successful transitions at key points throughout education and beyond.
• Discover how to gain a competitive edge through the development of work skills; enterprise activities; voluntary opportunities; work placements and meeting a wide range of local and national employers and stakeholder organisations.
• Utilise the services of our Level 6 qualified careers advisers to seek careers information, advice and guidance.

Reviewing our work and measuring our success

Principles and careers leader work closely with colleagues to ensure their careers strategic plan links to their academy whole school improvement plan. Using data, analysing need, understanding the interests and future progressions of students ensures we plan and deliver meaningful careers encounters, which are evaluated, and impact measured.

We use the following methods to gather robust data and measure performance

Sharing our success

Destination Information

The Careers Leader and school staff regularly monitor students Post 16 and Post 18 plans to ensure we can offer timely help and support to secure a positive progression into education, employment or training and reduce the risk of a young person becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training).

Educational institutions are under a statutory duty to provide information to the local authority, in order for them to deliver their relevant duties, and to track and maintain contact with young people to ensure that all young people have opportunities beyond school to succeed and contribute to society.

For more information please refer to the education and Skills Act 2008 section 72 providing information and sections 76 and 77 provide additional data sharing powers, which you can access here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/25/contents

First Destinations for 2025 Year 11 Leavers

Future Skills Questionnaire Data

Have you learned about different careers other than those of your family or carers?
86% said Yes

Have you thought about how jobs and careers may change in the future?
81% said Yes

Do you have ideas about what you might do for a job or career in the future?
81% said Yes

Do you know how to make a good impression if you want to be chosen for a position of responsibility?
81% said Yes

Careers Programme Quality Assessment and Feedback

Tutor Feedback.  “I am happy with the careers lessons and using the PowerPoint Presentations combined with the booklet creates opportunity to recall and secure learning at the start and end of each session.  I find the reveal slides and teacher notes helpful when delivering, as this encourages wider discussion with students and boost my confidence when answering their questions”.

Student Feedback TH “I enjoy learning about careers, the STEAM activity is good and it is helping me link what I am learning in my lessons in school to future careers ideas”.

Student Feedback EE “I enjoy the careers discussions and listening to different perspectives which are making me more curious about the future world of work”.

Quality in Careers Standard Award

Bluecoat Aspley Academy has not yet commenced work towards achieving ‘Career Mark’.

However, hope to work towards achieving this award soon in recognition of the quality of the independent and impartial guidance we offer, ensuring our students leave with the confidence and skills required to enter the world of work and further/higher education.

At this time, we remain committed to delivering a vibrant careers programme through efficient and effective management, integrated impartial guidance, a curriculum that develops every students knowledge, skills, understanding and attitude of the world of work and access to relevant, reliable up to date career resources and labour market information.