Vision
Rooted in faith, our careers programme inspires students to explore their God-given potential and prepare for a life of purpose and impact.
Through experiences that nurture excellence, kindness, and ambition, we guide each student toward meaningful choices for their future.
Introduction
Ark Alexandra Academy follows the Gatsby Benchmarks to plan our Careers Education programme.
These guidelines are:
- A stable careers plan
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal Guidance
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’s 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.
Our Careers team
Mr M Paterson - Assistant Principal (Helenswood Campus)
Mr J Reuter – Assistant Principal (William Parker)
Ms A Kirk – Careers and post-16 lead
Careers Plan
Each year group has a main focus for their careers education which all their activities work towards and are tracked using Unifrog.
These are three key foci for our careers curriculum:
Careers and Destinations Policies
Our Careers and Destinations Policies
Impact of our Careers Plan
Careers Panels
Information for Students
Parents may find some of these resources useful as well
unifrog.org
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
discoveruni.gov.uk
notgoingtouni.co.uk
apprenticeships.gov.uk
ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk
Work Experience
Work Experience is coordinated through Unifrog. As stipulated in our Careers Policy, all pupils in Year 10 are expected to complete 5 days of work experience. You will find a work experience guide for parents and information on the Unifrog Placements Tool below:
https://www.unifrog.org/know-how/for-parents-and-caregivers-how-to-help-your-child-find-a-work-placement
https://www.unifrog.org/blog/unifrog-placements-tool-faqs
Websites relating to work experience (predominantly virtual opportunities) include the following:
https://www.speakersforschools.org/work-experience-opportunities
https://www.springpod.com
https://www.theforage.com
Get Involved!
We are always looking for volunteers to be a part of our Careers Drop Down Days by supporting our students and joining our careers panel. There are a few dates to choose from over the academic year. If this is something you feel you may be able to support with, please click on the link for further information and to complete the form below. If you know someone that is interested, please do pass the link onto them.
Feedback
To develop and improve on the quality of the careers provision, we are always looking to gather feedback from a variety of stakeholders. Including students, teachers, parents, and visitors from outside companies / establishments.
If you would like to provide us with some feedback regarding our Careers programme, please click on the link below and complete the MS Form.