Careers and post 16 guidance

Careers Lead

The students at The Hyndburn Academy have access to impartial Information, Advice and Guidance, from a dedicated staff member who works closely with students on a day-to-day basis and who has the support of the Senior Leadership Team whose role is to help guide your child to their chosen destination.

The School’s Career Leader can be contacted either via phone or email. See below for contact details.

Mrs Jess Ross

Careers Leader / Pastoral Support

The Hyndburn Academy, Stourton Street, Rishton, Blackburn BB1 4ED

School Number: 01254 885378

Email: jess.ross@hyndburnacademy.org.uk

SLT Leader for Careers is Mr Phil Harter

Students

Students will receive:

• Additional careers information within Personal Development  Drop down days and lessons.
• Access to information for CEIAG through national events, NAW and NCW. 
• Careers information embedded into the curriculum
• Weekly drop in support with applications
• Access to careers information is available in books, videos, leaflets and on computer. Any additional information, students can see the Careers Leader.
• Access to local providers on further education options.
• Support through the school’s Careers Leader.
• Other subject lessons linked to careers including STEM.

What Students will expect:

• Treated equally by other students, staff and visitors.
• Given careers information and advice that is up to date and impartial.
• Given extra help if required.
• Students will be able to enjoy the sessions and activities they participate in.
• Additional support is available where appropriate through extra help by the SENDCO, Senior Leaders and the Pastoral Team.

Information for Parents and Carers

Parents and Carers have the opportunity to attend careers interviews if they wish and will be invited as part of SEND reviews (EHCP, Statements and IPRAs) and looked after children reviews.

The School’s SENDCO and the Careers Leader meet on a regular basis to discuss and action appropriate interventions for students with additional needs.

Parents and Carers will receive updates via email and text from the Careers Leader, with up-to-date information about upcoming events and activities.

Links with parents / carers are maintained using a variety of methods including the school website, leaflets, letters, consultation days and parents' evenings. 

Equality and Diversity

CEIAG is provided to all students and provision is made to allow all students to access the curriculum. Students are encouraged to follow career paths that suit their interests, skills and strengths with the absence of stereotypes. All students are provided with the opportunities that reflect their needs.

Other links with local 14-19 Providers are made when required.

Staff Development

Staff training needs are identified as part of the appraisal process and during regular planning meetings between the Careers Leader and the CEIAG SLT Link/Line Manager. Regular updates regarding Careers Development will be shared when required with staff.

Employers

The school is keen to work with local employers and build on the fantastic links we already have to secure positive Post 16 and 18 destinations. Employers can contact our Careers Leader directly to organise a visit to the school and to participate in our Careers assemblies and events. For more information, please contact the school’s Careers Leader. Information available in the Careers Leader tab.

Click here to download our CIAG policy.

STATEMENT ON PROVIDER ACCESS

We Measure and Assess the Impact of our Careers Programme through:

• Destination measures shared with Lancashire County Council and United Learning
• Student, parent and staff voice
• Employer feedback
• Visiting partners
• Work experience evaluation
• Website analytical review
• Gatsby Benchmarks reviewed with compass + every term
• CEIAG interviews with students, links to DD and shared with parents/carers
• Compass + records all activities and are mapped against individual students linked to the Gatsby Benchmarks. 

Destination Data

In order to measure the impact of our CIAG program at The Hyndburn Academy we review, track and monitor our destination (NEET) data. This data will be next reviewed in September 2021.

Click to view our destinations data 

Gatsby Benchmarks

The eight benchmarks are a framework for good career guidance developed to support schools in providing students with the best possible careers education, information, advice, and guidance:

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

We use a self-evaluation tool that gives us an immediate confidential read-out of how our own career guidance performs against the Gatsby eight benchmarks.

A Traineeship is an introduction-level programme that combines a work placement with training, it helps to prepare young people for the world of work and supports with English and Mathematics if required.

Apprenticeships are available at Intermediate, Advanced and Higher/Degree levels, and are available in a wide range of employment sectors. The length of time that it takes to complete is dependent on the level and occupation. All Apprenticeships are real jobs so young people on the programme can earn a salary.

All Apprenticeship opportunities must be advertised on the National Apprenticeships Website.

Your child must be registered on this site to apply for apprenticeships not advertised through an agency or training provider.

Apprenticeship advice can also be sought through local colleges.

Download our parent pack

Apprenticeships Hints and Tips for Parents/Carers

Apprenticeships Parent Pack

Amazing Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships Hints and Tips for Parents/Carers

University Taster Days

The Technical and Further Education Act 2017 incorporates The Baker Clause so that providers can access Year 7 -13 students to promote approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships. The Careers Lead has excellent connections with the local providers and is building contacts with employers through school events and supported by the Enterprise Advisor.

An annual Futures Event is held in the local community with several providers and employers promoting further education, higher education and apprenticeships takes place for Year 11 students and their families may attend to help with their decisions for Year 12. The school’s careers programme embeds opportunities for providers to deliver workshops, assemblies and information to all year groups. Any requests to access students must be through the Careers Lead and decisions will be made dependent on timings, timetabling, exams and whether the information on offer is relevant to the year group and not already delivered by another provider. The school is limited to taking students off normal timetables, however Personal Development Days take place once every half term which focus’ on aspirations and careers.

Additional access may be granted in the form of assemblies, lunch-time drop-ins or lessons where a visiting speaker complements the pupils’ curriculum.

Policy Statement for Provider Access