Careers Programme
Our careers programme sets out our careers vision for the academic year, a programme which is designed to support, inspire and motivate our students across all year groups.
Our careers programme sets out our careers vision for the academic year, a programme which is designed to support, inspire and motivate our students across all year groups. Our provision is mapped against the Gatsby Benchmarks and we work with the CEC framework to ensure our provision is robust and the impact of our careers programme is regularly evaluated so that we can improve the quality of our provision as we move forward.
All pupils, parents and teachers have direct access to the National Careers Service www.nationalcareersservice.org where they can research opportunities and ideas.
Aston Manor Careers Offer
Every pupil in every year group will have the opportunity to have at least one meaningful encounter every year with:
A Further Education provider
An Apprenticeship provider
A Higher Education institution
Employers and employees
Students will have various opportunities in lessons, assemblies and tutor sessions to engage in work-related learning including improving their employability skills, accessing labour market information, producing a CV, refining interview techniques and exploring options as they start their careers journey.
Our Programme:
Key Stage 3
YEar 7
Our newest pupils receive careers-based lessons delivered through our RSHE programme. From Sept 2024 onwards, pupils will be able to log in to our new Unifrog platform to explore, research and to record their achievements and to build their personal skills profile. Here they will develop self-awareness, researching skills and pathways to future career goals.
Our inspirational careers lessons, assemblies and visits help pupils to explore ideas for the future, to enrich understanding and to develop new skills and interests.
We aim to support and enrich our pupils learning journey through activities which:
Raise aspirations and increase awareness of the world of work
Support pupils to make informed choices about their careers journey
Overcome any barriers which may affect pupils reaching their full potential
Key Stage 3
Year 8 & 9
Throughout Year 8, pupils continue to build their individual personal profile through regular interactions including RSHE lessons and visits to employers, as well as workshops which develop their understanding of career management and the world of work.
At this stage, pupils choose their GCSE options with the support of parents/guardians. Pupils are informed about subject areas and their links to future careers through assemblies, option evening, form time and curriculum time so there is full understanding of the link between their chosen GCSE subjects and future careers paths, as well as entry requirements for future courses of study and employment. Pupils are encouraged to research a variety of career and labour market information using vast array of resources and opportunities, using our Unifrog careers platform in regular form-time sessions.
All pupils in Year 9 are informed about career management, decision making strategies, labour market information and post-16 expectations. Our SEND pupils, who often require further guidance, are supported by our Careers Advisor in one-to-one meetings to which parents/guardians are also invited.
Key Stage 4
Year 10
Year 10 is centered around preparation for the world of work. During this year there is a focus on the skills needed in the workplace. This is achieved through development of a professional-quality CV and meeting with employers on mock interview day.
This leads to a work-experience placement for all Year 10 students in the summer term. Pupils have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills to prepare them for the world of work. We also provide tasters for Further and Higher Education and apprenticeships at this stage. We work with apprenticeship providers to ensure our pupils are supported in the application process, including vocational and technical pathways.
Year 11
Year 11 is the time for our pupils to consider their post-16 options. Pupils are supported in researching and decision-making so that they can make positive decisions about their future pathways.
All Year 11 pupils will have one-to-one personal guidance meetings with our Careers Advisor to discuss apprenticeships, applications, course choices and interviews. Lots of support and advice is available as pupils make these crucial decisions.
Assemblies, workshops, visits and speeches are just some of the ways that we support our pupils and help them plan their future careers.
Key Stage 5
Year 12 and 13
At this point in our pupils educational journeys, we support them to meet their career goals.
A structured programme of career management includes a variety of workshops, assemblies, visits and employer interactions which are designed to build experience, knowledge, self-confidence and aspiration to ensure our pupils achieve their full potential as they move forward.
We fully support pupils with UCAS applications and with their choices of further education courses, university, and degree apprenticeships applications.
Unifrog – Our online Careers Platform
Unifrog is an accessible and exciting platform where all of our pupils can explore their interests and career aspirations. It supports our pupils when researching their career journey and enables them to reach their goals. It helps them to successfully apply for their next step[s after school, using their own personal Unifrog accounts.
To sign in and start exploring go to https://www.unifrog.org/sign-in
The Gatsby Benchmarks
The Gatsby Benchmarks provide a framework for schools to assess and improve the quality of their careers guidance and education. By meeting these benchmarks, schools can ensure that pupils receive effective, comprehensive and positive support in reaching their full potential and their career goals.
The eight benchmarks are:
Aston Manor Academy Provider Access Policy 2024-25
This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
Any Employer or provider who wishes to work with Aston Manor Academy can contact the Careers Team. Tel 0121 359 8108
Eileen Hughes – KS4/5 Careers Co-ordinator. Email ehughes@astonmanoracademy.com
Lyn Ajibade – KS3 Careers and Work Experience Co-ordinator. Email lajibade@astonmanoracademy.com
Shagufta Hussain – SLT Careers Lead. Email- shussain@astonmanoracademy.com
Apprenticeships – Combine work with learninG
Apprenticeships are available to any pupil aged 16 and over. They combine work and learning. At Aston Manor Academy, the careers team provide support, information and guidance for pupils who wish to follow the apprenticeship path at all levels. Depending on the apprenticeship and the employer, pupils may undertake a block of learning at the beginning of their apprenticeship or may attend college one day per week. AMA students will combine time in the workplace with academic learning.
When applying for an apprenticeship our pupils will need information, guidance and support to help them make important decisions concerning their application and interview process.
Students at AMA can discuss apprenticeships with the school Careers Advisor to establish a pathway and support with their application.
An apprenticeship provides pupils with training in their chosen sector and an understanding of the workplace and the chance to develop work related skills and knowledge. Apprenticeships usually last between one and five years depending on their level. The levels available are:
Intermediate (Level 2) – from age 16.
Advanced (Level 3)
Higher and degree (Levels 4-7)
For more information, advice and guidance about apprenticeships please follow the links below, or book a meeting to speak to Mrs Hughes (ehughes@astonmanoracademy.com}
We also work with a number of providers including ASK apprenticeships and have information assemblies, speakers and workshops to help you to apply and to get pupils interview ready.
SEND Careers Information and Guidance
We aim to remove the barriers that can exist for SEND pupils and aim to provide an inclusive careers programme that meets the needs of all our pupils. This includes engagement with employers, visits to colleges and universities, experience of the workplace and personal guidance and advice to enhance post 16 pathways. We aim to build confidence, increase knowledge and self belief so that pupils can reach their individual goals.
We organise visits to colleges/training providers and as well as promoting apprenticeships in assemblies. For pupils with SEND additional visits are organised by the KS4 co-coordinator to assist with the the transition to their new setting. Staff may also visit with pupils and their parents to ensure appropriate provision can be put in place.
AMA offer different programmes to aid transition for more vulnerable pupils, which may include:
Liaising closely with staff from the new setting and supporting pupils with applications
Additional meetings with staff and external agencies
Additional transition visits to ensure pupils settle in well
Additional meetings with pupils, parent/guardians and external agencies
If you require help or further information please contact school and ask to speak to a member of the careers team.
