Ark Alexandra Academy uses the Gatsby Benchmarks as a guide to plan our Careers Education programme. The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of 8 guidelines about what makes the best careers provision in schools and colleges. For more information relating to the framework, visit https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/schools-colleges/gatsby-benchmarks.

As part of our commitment to informing our students of the full range of learning and training pathways on offer to them, we provide several opportunities throughout the student journey that allow them to explore different career paths. We have developed a structured programme, which includes a wide variety of activities that is focused on providing high quality information and career guidance. This will allow the students to make the best possible decision for their future career paths.

Ark Alexandra Academy proactively seeks to build relationships with partners as we plan our Careers Education activities. Providers have multiple opportunities to speak to students and their parents across years 7-13, to offer information on vocational, technical and apprenticeship qualifications and pathways. This is outlined in the policy statement for further education and training providers, click here for more information.

Careers Education Lead

• Mr G Morris
• g.morris@arkalexandra.org
• 020 8148 7883

Careers Education SLT Lead

• Mr J Elford
• j.elford@arkalexandra.org

Careers Education Link Governor

• Mr D Hinton
• https://arkalexandra.org/governance

College Application Support

Careers Education Service

Our careers education service offers the following:

• Online resources about a wide range of career opportunities;
• A focus on choices for Year 9;
• A focus on choices after Year 11 and Year 13- further and higher education, sixth form, vocational pathways, apprenticeships and employment. Help with the application process and CVs;
• Support for individual students (and their parents) to discuss training and career possibilities and requirements;
• Careers Education, programme workshops, presentations and careers events with support from external organisations.

Outline of Careers Education Provision

At Ark Alexandra Academy we see careers education as a journey that the students take as they move through the school. Starting in Year 7 with an introduction to the world of work and as they continue their journey we aim to prepare them to make informed decisions about their future paths.

Careers Programme

• Ark Alexandra Academy Careers Plan

The table below highlights the activities that each year group will take part in and which term that they will happen. During this difficult time, we endeavour to keep to our plan as much as possible. However, some of the activities maybe moved or run virtually depending on the Government guidance at the time.

Measurement of Careers Education impact

The impact of the schools Careers Education programme can be measured through the quality of student destinations at both sixteen and eighteen. See the graphs below that details the destinations of our students for the past 4 years.

Careers Education is reviewed on a termly basis by the SLT to ensure that it is enhancing the students experience and improving the overall quality of destinations. The careers lead keeps up to date individualised records of each students’ engagement with the Careers Education programme. The school publishes the quality of its destinations on annual basis in September. 

Feedback

In order to develop and improve on the quality of the careers provision, we constantly look to gather feedback from a variety of stakeholders. These include students, teachers, parents and visitors from a different companies or establishments.

If you would like to offer feedback regarding our Careers Education programme please click on the link below and complete the survey. Further to this, if you have any specific questions or would like to offer your support please contact Mr Morris.

Careers Programme Feedback

Careers FAQs

What is CEIAG?

An acronym for Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance.

How can my child get a Careers interview?

In years 7-9 students will have the opportunity to speak with staff during and after school. One to one interviews are organised for Year 10 and Year 11. These are advertised in assemblies and via tutors. Sixth Form can request interviews or might be directed to by the Sixth Form team.

Who is in charge of Careers Education?

Graham Morris, Careers Education Lead. Graham Morris can be contacted by email at g.morris@arkalexandra.org or via telephone on 020 8148 7883.

Where is the Careers’ Room?

The Careers room is located in L10 in the lower school. Students can also access careers information in the school library and sixth form common room. The careers library includes College and University prospectuses as well as careers’ magazines and guides to apprenticeships. Any student can access it at break, lunchtime or after school.

Where is the Careers’ Noticeboard?

Outside of the Careers room. It is regularly updated and includes information ranging from posters advertising College open days and evenings to the National Careers’ Service phone number and website. There are also career display boards in each department highlighting the range of jobs available through studying the different subjects.

What is the RPA?

Raising the Age of Participation: which means that the government expects all young people to remain in Education, an apprenticeship or work with training until their 18th Birthday.

What is the Academy’s policy about work experience?

In Year 10 students will be offered a range of different types of work experience ranging from a week’s experience to workplace visits. In the Sixth Form students take part in volunteering as part of our ‘Give Back’ scheme.

What are my child’s option when leaving school?

After leaving school at the end of Year 11 your child has many options available to him but of course this depends on the grades that they receive. They have the option to go to a College to study a variety of A Level courses. There are a range of alternatives including: NVQs, BTECs, Diplomas or apprenticeships. These are usually courses and qualifications which are more vocational than A Levels.

Where can I find the Academy’s Careers Policy?

Please visit https://arkalexandra.org/our-policies.

What are the government’s statutory expectations about what schools should provide for their students?

The latest guidance from the government is: Careers Guidance Provision for Young People in School. The emphasis is on the importance of careers education starting from Y7, and to encourage increased links with employers and providers.

What is e-prospectus?

A search and apply site for FE Colleges and Sixth Forms in East Sussex and Kent. All students are provided with a log in for the site at the beginning of Year 11, and their account goes live to enable them to make applications to colleges and further education establishments. Support is offered in PSHE lessons with using and applying through the site.