Careers education

Careers education

The Dixons Brooklands Academy careers programme aims to provide all students with regular access to employers, further education and training providers, workplace experiences and guidance from our Level 6 qualified career advisor to support students in making informed and educated decisions about their next steps.

The careers programme is an integral element of the Dixons Brooklands Academy curriculum and careers information is interleaved with subject specific content delivered through the curriculum. Curriculum areas embed ‘careers spotlights’ to ensure that students are frequently making links between the powerful knowledge they acquire and their future opportunities. Our commitment to careers provision extends beyond the legal minimum entitlement for students and is underpinned by the Gatsby framework with a commitment to meeting all eight benchmarks.

The intended outcomes of the careers programme include, but are not limited to:

• Students will undertake various work related experiences
• Students will reflect upon and refine their aspirations
• Students will increase their knowledge of education, training and career opportunities
• Students will develop a career plan to help them realise their potential.
• Students will undertake activities to increase their awareness of Labour Market Information, future employment trends and the skills required for success in the world of work.

Careers Lead and Advisor – Ms V Geary
Ms Geary co-ordinates the careers programme and is a Level 6 qualified Careers Advisor and Registered Career Development Professional. She conducts career guidance meetings with students, with the support of additional advisors from Our Futures. Every student will be offered a fully impartial and confidential Careers Meeting in Year 10 or 11 to discuss their progression plans and students in any year group can ask their Advisor to arrange a Careers Meeting for them whenever they feel they need one.

Ms Geary can be contacted on the main school phone number or by email vgeary@dixonsbk.com

Dixons Academy Trust Careers Policy and Provider Access Statement

Information for employers, colleges and training providers
We are always looking to invite employers from different sectors, colleges and training providers to come in and work with our young people. If you are interested in hearing more about the opportunities that you could get involved in, please get in touch with our Careers Leader.

Information for students

Careers inspiration

GMACS – this website uses Labour Market information, as well as employers and employees from Greater Manchester businesses to give an insight to employment opportunities within different sectors in our region, including how the subjects you study link with future career options.

iCould – real people talking about their jobs and how they got there. Advice videos on choosing GCSE subjects and post-16 options.

BBC Bitesize - where could your favourite subject take you?

National Careers Service - a range of flexible contact channels - phone, email, webchat and SMS - providing information, advice and guidance relating to decisions on learning, training and work.

Careermap - a magazine connecting students and their parents with helpful information about careers and qualifications, employability skills and CV writing.

Prospects - Careers information and guidance – use this to find out more about different careers and what qualifications you would need to climb your mountain.

Apprenticeships

Amazing Apprenticeships – Apprenticeships explained – what are you looking for?

National Apprenticeship Service - search for apprenticeship vacancies or register for alerts and to apply.

UCAS - online University and Higher/Degree Apprenticeship application system, information and guidance.

University

UCAS - online University and Higher/Degree Apprenticeship application system, information and guidance.

OpenDays.com - if you want to find out what university is like the best thing to do is go and visit! This site lists most university open days in the UK.

HeadUp – support for students aged 14-18 who identify as disabled or neurodivergent and are considering university in the future.

Informed Choices - a Russell Group University guide to making subject choices

Opportunities to build your CV

NCS - a chance to embark on exhilarating challenges, make your mark and build skills for work and life.

Springpod - free virtual work experience opportunities for school and college students covering a diverse range of sectors such as Journalism, Law and Film and TV and from companies across the world including Fujitsu, Barclays and the NHS …. and many more!

Jobs you can get from age 14 – this article from ThinkStudent has some great suggestions for part time jobs that students can start from age 14.

Labour market information

Career decisions are impacted by lots of factors. One of which is the jobs that are available! Labour Market Information tells us about the current job market in any given area, the jobs projected to be available in the future and the skills required for those jobs.

BridgeGM – labour market information for Greater Manchester, including the areas where we expect the most growth in job opportunities.

LMI Careerometer – compare salary and opportunity availability for any jobs you can think of!

Information for parents and carers
We know that helping your child to plan their future can be overwhelming so please see below some resources to help you to help them. Do also look at the resources above aimed at students. Our Careers Lead and Advisor is available for you to speak to at all parents’ evenings to answer any careers or progression-related questions.

Parents Guide to … Options at 16 - a website covering a wide range of topics including support articles on options at 16 and 18 and “How to get your teen talking about their future”

Your child’s job probably doesn’t exist yet – a great blog from EY explaining how to prepare your child for the future of work

UCAS Parents and Carers Guide - parent guide to university and higher apprenticeships

Student Finance - What Parents need to know - information on university student finance

Amazing Apprenticeships Parent Zone - information on apprenticeships including The Parent Perspective podcast and a link to sign up for parent information emails

Nomis - official Labour Market Statistics

Office for National Statistics - Statistics about employment rates in a national picture.

Resources for staff
Please contact Ms V Geary, Careers Lead and Advisor if you have any queries.

What are the Gatsby Benchmarks? - all schools and colleges are now required to meet a set of guidelines relating to careers education. These resources explain the benchmarks and link to the statutory guidance on gov.uk.

Careers and Enterprise Company Resource Bank – resources to help you to embed careers in the curriculum to enable us to meet Gatsby Benchmark 4.