Programme

Intent

To establish a robust programme of independent careers advice that is underpinned by links with FE, HE and employers, ensuring all of our students are Future Ready.

The fast-changing world of work puts an ever-greater demand on all of us to support students in making a successful transition from education to employment, helping them to identify and choose career opportunities that are right for them.

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a key measure of the effectiveness of career guidance and provision – Delta Academies Trust is committed to achieving all eight benchmarks;

  1. A stable careers programme
  2. Learning from career and labour market information
  3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
  4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
  5. Encounters with employers and employees
  6. Experiences of workplaces
  7. Encounters with further and higher education
  8. Personal guidance

For an overview of how we and our CEIAG partners embed the 8 benchmarks into our Careers Programme, please see the information below.

Implementation

The CEIAG – (Careers Education Information Advice Guidance) provision in a Delta Academy has been designed to positively support students to acquire the educational, social and employability skills necessary for lifelong success in a diverse and changing world of work. Our Careers Programme is personalised to the academy in conjunction with our partners at Careers Inc. 

Careers Education and is provided though:

  • Subject Lessons, – Information and discussions in with a subject specific focus to help you make decisions about careers based on subject knowledge and transferable skills.
    • Future Friday, Assemblies & Life Lessons – Discussions and resources about the local market information, growth job sectors and The Future Friday sessions occur every week in the form time period, ensuring discourse around future occupations and the skills needed for them, happen often
  • Step Up Days – Events such as employability days

Information, Advice & Guidance is provided through:

  • Careers Cafes & Careers Fairs – Employers, Colleges and Universities will visit the school on a regular basic to talk to you about their industry and how to train and qualify for role in that sector.
  • Careers Portal – You have access to our online Careers Portal.
  • Results Service – a team of advisers will be able to talk through you needs on results day to help you confirm your intended destination.
  • Qualified 1-2-1 Guidance – You also have access to a qualified careers advisor, who will provide confidential and impartial advice to students on the information they have received or to help guide students to make fully informed decisions.
    • Planning for the future – if you have a career idea but want to find out the best route for you or if you have no career ideas our advisers can help you create career ideas around your interests and skills.
    • GCSE & A Level Options – Choosing your options and what would best suit you.
    • Apprenticeships – Finding work or an apprenticeship, including job hunting techniques including mock interviews
    • Parents Evenings – Access to careers advisers in a variety of ways including individual meetings, drop-in sessions, enrichment activities, parents and option evenings and on results days
    • Technology – Information and updates will also be available on notice boards, plasma screens and the websites

The following learning journey and careers calendar show the how the careers intent is brought to life throughout the academic year, highlighting the provision for each year group, whilst highlighting the links to The Gatsby Benchmarks.

Impact

Destination data shows a positive trend towards students taking more aspirational routes after the time at Darton Academy is finished.

Future Friday visits show staff and students are immersed in activities involving careers. An increased focus on the delivery of Future Friday has led to very few inconsistencies in this delivery.

Student voice shows most students recognise the importance of their careers provision at Darton Academy.

Our Compass+ score graphs show that Darton Academy scores 100% on 6 of the 8 areas. The other three areas are a key focus this academic year and will be 100% now we are out of the pandemic and the restrictions this involved. Those areas are ‘experiences of workplaces’ and ‘encounters with further and higher education’.