Careers

What is CEIAG? Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance.

Our CEIAG program is both bespoke and unique to our academy and is reviewed on an annual basis to meet our students' needs based on our monitoring and evaluation processes. We are committed to providing a coherently planned and sequenced program that reflects our academy's context and core values.

Careers Leader

Ms O Williamson – Assistant Headteacher
olivia.williamson@coopacademies.co.uk
01782882305

Rationale and Vision

Our academy is committed to ensuring all of our students have access to highly impartial careers advice and to a range of employers who can support them in considering their future. To help us do this we align our CEIAG Plan to the Gatsby Benchmarks which have been explicitly referenced throughout the DfE’s Careers Strategy (December 2017) the Statutory Guidance for careers (January 2018) and aligns to the delivery of independent careers guidance to Year 8-13 pupils in accordance with section 42A of the Education Act 1997.

The 8 Gatsby benchmarks are outlined below:

A stable careers programme
Learning from career and labour market information
Addressing the needs of each student
Linking curriculum learning to careers
Encounters with employers and employees
Experience of work places
Encounters with further and higher education
Personal guidance

The vision for the development of CEIAG across our academy is to provide the very best opportunities to enable our students to make informed and incisive decisions throughout, and beyond, their school life. By using the Gatsby benchmarks as a framework of best practice we have a CEIAG programme that meets the needs or our ever changing cohort of students, providers and labour market landscape. Our plan promotes equality of opportunity, celebrates diversity and challenges stereotypes whilst inspiring, raising aspirations and giving our students an optimistic outlook on life and their place in the world of work.

Our Programme

Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent provides an excellent range of opportunities for students both in and out of the academy. Our aim is to support students towards further study, training or directly into a career of their choice by ensuring:

The development of the habits, skills and mindsets required to be successful in professional life and in further study
Students have access and exposure to a wide range of contexts and relatable role models to broaden their experience and to build academic and professional aspiration;
Students are provided with high quality advice and guidance about their next steps throughout their time at the academy and at crucial transition points

For more information about the opportunities we provide please contact the school Careers Leader directly via the contact details above.

Careers Team

At the Academy, we have a whole Academy approach to careers with all staff supporting the delivery of CEIAG through the pastoral system and within curriculum areas. In addition, we have a designated CEIAG team who co-ordinate and monitor the delivery of the Academy Careers Plan:

Andy Greenhough	Designated Governor
Olivia Williamson	Assistant Principal – SLT Lead for Careers
Kayleigh Goodwin	CEIAG Co-ordinator and Careers Advisor

Intent and Implementation

Our CEIAG programme is both bespoke and unique to our academy and is reviewed on an annual basis to meet our students’ needs based on our monitoring and evaluation processes. We are committed to providing a coherently planned and sequenced programme that reflects our academies context and core values. Our programme is designed to entitle all learners to develop their knowledge, skills, understanding and cultural capital they need to go on to destinations that meet their aspirations and interests. With this in mind, we aim:-

To provide impartial and independent advice for all pupils (Gatsby Benchmark 1 – 8)
To prevent pupils leaving and becoming NEET (Gatsby 1 – 8)
To contribute to strategies for raising achievement, especially by increasing motivation, attitude to learning and attendance (Gatsby 3)
To support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity (Gatsby Benchmark 3,4)
To encourage participation in continued learning including higher education, further education and apprenticeships (Gatsby Benchmark 7,8)
To develop enterprise and employment skills (Gatsby 2,3)
To reduce drop out from and course switching in education and training (Gatsby 3,5,6,7,8)
To contribute to the economic prosperity of individuals and communities (Gatsby 2,5,7)
To meet the needs of all our pupils through appropriate differentiation (Gatsby 3)
To focus students on their future aspirations and opportunities (Gatsby 3,4,8)
To involve parents and carers (Gatsby 1,2,5,6,7)
To support the raising of the participation age and assist with positive destinations for all pupils post 16, 17 and 18 (Gatsby 1,4,8)

To meet the needs of our current cohort of students across each year group (Gatsby 1,3)
To use current LMI to enable students, staff and parents to engage actively with local and national CEIAG information so that they can increase their knowledge and understanding about the world of work. (Gatsby 1,2,3)
To use student’s parents, staff feedback to reflect on our current provision in order to develop our future CEIAG programme (Gatsby 1,2,3)
To provide additional support to specific vulnerable groups such as SEND and pupil premium (Gatsby 1-8)
All stakeholders have a clear understanding of CEIAG and rationale and vision (Gatsby 1)
To monitor and evaluate current provision in order to ensure our programme is quality assured in line with other curriculum areas (Gatsby 1)
To share best practice with other Co op academies at network events to ensure reflection and development of own programme (Gatsby 1)
To ensure all students actively engage with a CEIAG tracking platform to support them in making informed choices about their Career development plan (Gatsby 1,2,3)
To maintain the Quality in Careers award in recognition of all that our academy offers (Gatsby 1)

Implementation

Our programme is taught via bespoke activities, subject curriculum and extracurricular activities, and a wide range of enrichment activities.

Throughout KS3 and 4 CEIAG is accessed by all at Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent. CEIAG is delivered by a wide range of providers such as our internal Careers Advisor, teachers and support staff, FE Colleges, Universities, visiting speakers, employers and employees. This delivery includes bespoke workshops, assemblies, work visits, work experience, mock interviews, careers fairs, drop-down days and shortly via subject curriculum. Our students are supported and encouraged to explore possible pathways they may take in the future, to ensure they have the very best start in life. Our staff receive regular CPD to support them in embedding employability skills into their subject areas. Our parents can access our academy’s website which provides clear links to a range of CEIAG related events and information about local market information (LMI) to UCAS applications to Apprenticeships. Parents are also encouraged to attend our CEIAG information evenings and parents evenings.

Impact

Measuring the impact of our CEIAG programme supports us to develop it on a termly/annual basis and to know that we are making a positive and empowering difference. We value quantitative and qualitative feedback from all stakeholders and ensure our evaluations lead to change/amendments in our future planning. We undertake internal and external quality assurance to ensure our intent and implementation is in-line with our expectations. We measure impact in the following ways:

Use of Gatsby Benchmarks to measure all CEIAG activities
Positive destinations data for all
Tracking of Compass over time
Reduced NEET figures over time
Feedback and evaluation for all events, both quantitative and qualitative
Increase in progress/attainment over time
Progress and achievement data over time with reference to vulnerable groups ie SEND
Reviewing progression data over time ie take up of Apprenticeships, entry into FE with reference to vulnerable groups ie SEND
Development of employability skills after key events
Employer engagement increasing

Careers offer by Year Group

Year Group	Autumn Term 2023 (linked to BM)	Intended learning outcomes
7	Aspiration audit (Gatsby 1,3,8) Workplace visits (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)	To ensure that the careers experiences of students align with their aspirations. This will help us ensure that students will speak to the providers and employers they need to to ensure they get the advice and guidance they need. To give students the experience of what a workplace environment is like as well as ensure that they gain some key employability skills - such as communication, independence and teamwork.
8	Aspiration audit (Gatsby 1,3,8) Workplace visits (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)	To ensure that the careers experiences of students align with their aspirations. This will help us ensure that students will speak to the providers and employers they need to to ensure they get the advice and guidance they need. To give students the experience of what a workplace environment is like as well as ensure that they gain some key employability skills - such as communication, independence and teamwork.
9	Aspiration audit (Gatsby 1,3,8) Workplace visits (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6) D&T Enthuse award - A 2 year funded programme of STEM-focused collaboration between education, employers and STEM Learning(Gatsby 1,2,3,4)	To ensure that the careers experiences of students align with their aspirations. This will help us ensure that students will speak to the providers and employers they need to to ensure they get the advice and guidance they need. To give students the experience of what a workplace environment is like as well as ensure that they gain some key employability skills - such as communication, independence and teamwork. To give students a chance to see where STEM subjects can lead to them in terms of Careers.
10	Aspiration audit (Gatsby 1,3,8) Apprenticeship assembly / workshops (Gatsby 1,2,3,5) PWC trip	To ensure that the careers experiences of students align with their aspirations. This will help us ensure that students will speak to the providers and employers they need to to ensure they get the advice and guidance they need. To give students an understanding of apprenticeships and the qualifications and skills needed as well as an understanding of how to apply for apprenticeships. This multinational business is offering students a chance to complete a programme they have designed to develop young people's confidence and key employability skills.
11	. Students receive a Mock Results Evening experience. Local colleges and training providers are invited into the Academy to provide information based around students' mock results. (Gatsby 1,2,3 4,5,6) Aspiration audit (Gatsby 1,3,8) Apprenticeship assembly / workshops (Gatsby 1,2,3,5) 1 - 1 interviews with Careers Advisor (Gatsby 1,3,8) Workplace visits (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)	To allow students the chance to to speak to all post-16 providers to see where they currently stand in terms of their projected results. Giving them a clear focus for Year 11. Also, the chance to take part in a mock interview to learn key interview skills so they are ready for post-16 life. To ensure that the careers experiences of students align with their aspirations. This will help us ensure that students will speak to the providers and employers they need to to ensure they get the advice and guidance they need. To give students an understanding of apprenticeships and the qualifications and skills needed as well as an understanding of how to apply for apprenticeships. A chance for students to discuss their post-16 plans and allow them to access impartial guidance and advice. To give students the experience of what a workplace environment is like as well as ensure that they gain some key employability skills - such as communication, independence and teamwork.
Additional provision	A series of 1 - 1 interviews , parents invited, support assistant available (Gatsby 1,3) Structured KS4 transition programme in post 16 ie taster sessions / days, mentoring (Gatsby 1,2,3) Sessions planned with HigherHorizons and DHL Careers Advisor present at EHCP annual review in Yr9 & KS4 (Gatsby 1,3,8)	To ensure that students have extra support and guidance as they make key decisions about their future. To ensure a smooth transition to their intended post-16 destination and ensure they are confident in their decisions and looking forward to their post-16 journey. To ensure these students are fully supported in their post- 16 journey and any barriers they may face are removed or eased, as well as to ensure they remain in an educational setting post -16.
Staff	Staff CPD - Updates on Year 11 cohort and pathways training as well as update on Year 12 destination data (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)	To ensure staff are fully up to date in terms of the routes available to students in their subject areas as well as any changes to post-16 provision. This will ensure students have the correct information given as well as staff being able to link their teaching more directly to their curriculum.

7	Workplace visits (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6) Visits to universities (Gatsby 1, 3, 7)	To give students the experience of what a workplace environment is like as well as ensure that they gain some key employability skills - such as communication, independence and teamwork. To give students chance to look at FE providers and see what they would be aiming towards if they so wish to go to university. It will increase aspirations of students.
8	Workplace visits (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)	To give students the experience of what a workplace environment is like as well as ensure that they gain some key employability skills - such as communication, independence and teamwork.
9	Workplace visits (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6) Virtual Work Experience with the Co-op (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)	To give students the experience of what a workplace environment is like as well as ensure that they gain some key employability skills - such as communication, independence and teamwork. To allow students the opportunity to see a workplace in action. Even though it is virtual, students will be presented with real life scenarios from different areas of the Co-op. They will be required to ensure they complete these tasks and submit them. Giving them the chance to put their employability skills to the test.
10	College Taster Days (visits to FE colleges) (Gatsby 1,3,7) Newcastle college Step into Sixth Form Stoke College Workplace visits (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6) Y10 works place visit / experience to Coop Headquarters (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)	Students will gain tasters into various areas of a post-16 provider. This will help them gain an insight into the differences between providers and help them make a decision about their destination post-16. To give students the experience of what a workplace environment is like as well as ensure that they gain some key employability skills - such as communication, independence and teamwork. Students will go through anh application process, allowing them a chance to gain vital employability skills. If successful they then get the opportunity to complete a real life work experience placement, gaining vital employability skills.
11	N/A
Additional provision	A series of 1 - 1 interviews , parents invited, support assistant available (Gatsby 1,3) Careers Advisor present at EHCP annual review in Yr9 & KS4 (Gatsby 1,3,8)	To ensure that students have extra support and guidance as they make key decisions about their future. To ensure these students are fully supported in their post- 16 journey and any barriers they may face are removed or eased, as well as to ensure they remain in an educational setting post -16.
Staff	PSHCE curriculum review (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)	To analyse the delivery of the CEIAG section of the PSHCE curriculum to look at if any changes are needed and if so what changes are needed to ensure the students are getting the information they require.

SEND and other vulnerable groups

All CEIAG opportunities are fully inclusive and are designed to engage with all students. However, embedded within our programme are additional events/activities to support our students with SEND such:

A series of 1 – 1 interviews, parents invited, support assistant available (Gatsby 1,3)
Structured KS4 transition programme in post 16 ie taster sessions/days, mentoring (Gatsby 1,2,3)
Careers Advisor present at EHCP annual review in KS4 (Gatsby 1,3,8)
Year 11 Parent Event: Possibilities for their Future: Parent Event with PwC, Dyson and Experian (Gatsby 3,5)

Quality in Careers Standard

In July 2022 we successfully retained the Quality in Careers Standard which validated the work we do within the Academy around CEIAG. We had previously been awarded the quality mark in 2018. Below is what they said about us:

“CEIAG is highly valued within the academy and there is a clear ethos of supporting students to make well informed choices.

Dedicated staff time and resources are made available for CEIAG with a linked member of SLT committed to driving the academy improvement plan. Governors offer extensive experience of post 16 education and training opportunities which supports and drives the CEIAG agenda well.”

Are you a Parent or Carer?

Find some useful websites below:

As an Academy, we access secure independent, impartial and high-quality careers advice and guidance via Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Careers Service. This service is matrix accredited and reviewed every year. All students in year 11 have access to a 1:1 interview. Parents are welcome to attend these appointments if they wish.

Our Careers Advisor, Elisabeth acts as an impartial Careers Advisor, and we also make sure that students have access to a range of colleges and employers, and training providers.

For any queries around your child's Careers Education please contact Ms Williamson at olivia.williamson@coopacademies.co.uk or Ms Goodwin at kayleigh.goodwin@coopacademies.co.uk.

Careers Advice for Parents aims to give parents an easy-to-read overview of all the essential facts on finding jobs and apprenticeships or choosing further and higher education courses that could make a real difference to their child’s future career prospects.
CASCAID Parents offers a guide to Careers guidance.
Parental Guidance offers advice and information on all aspects of the process of career choice for young people aged 13 to 25.

Other websites you may find useful include:

Wanting to give a Careers talk?

We are keen to work with employers who can pass on the benefit of their skills, experience, and expertise. Our careers events require volunteers for everything from session facilitators to speakers, interviewers, and stallholders at our careers speed networking events. Please see our Provider Access Policy in “Our Policies” section of the website for more information.

If you would like to find out more, or to volunteer for an event please contact:

Ms Williamson, Assistant Headteacher: olivia.williamson@coopacademies.co.uk

What is Labour Market Information?

Labour market information (LMI) may help students and parents understand the local job market and find out which career areas are growing.

To view useful information on the national labour market and future trends in the local labour market click please look at the website below:

Labour Market Report

Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent