Careers and advice

Our academy is dedicated to developing high aspirations for all our students. We ensure that Careers Education, Information and Guidance (CEIAG) is at the heart of our curriculum, so that all our students have the knowledge and skills required to be able to make well-informed and realistic choices about their future.

Our provision is guided by the ambition to meet all eight of the Gatsby Benchmarks as identified by the Gatsby Foundation for 'Good Career Guidance'. The Senior Leadership Team at Olive AP Academy - Nene Valley views CEIAG as being the responsibility of all staff working at the academy. Read our latest benchmarking results from Compass+

During their time at the academy, students will be making decisions that are going to affect and shape their future. To help them make these key decisions, they will receive a wide range of guidance and advice in the form of information sessions, workshops, employer and further education encounters, and lots of different activities to make sure they are well-informed about the opportunities and pathways available to them and are equipped to make the decisions they need to make.

In years 9-11, students will go on work experience, visit local businesses, have mock interviews, learn how to write a CV and complete college applications, have one-to-one meetings with a careers adviser, and go on college visits.

Our students in years 8-11:

• find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point

• hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options evenings, assemblies and group discussions and taster events

• understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

Employers play a key part in our Careers Education Information and Guidance (CEIAG) programme, helping to raise the career aspirations of our students, offering a wealth of expertise on specific career sectors, informing about available opportunities and assisting with developing employability skills.

Are you an employer? We rely on employers to work with us to deliver experiences that help inform our students about potential future pathways and opportunities, not only in their local area, but nationally and internationally.

We appreciate that your time is valuable, but we would welcome the chance to discuss how you could be involved in our CEIAG provision. Please contact Millie Andrews if you would like to learn how you can work with our students. millie.andrews@oliveacademies.org.uk

Information for parents

At Olive AP Academy – Nene Valley, we recognise the influential role and impact that you, as parents and carers, play in helping your children make the important decisions about their education and future career choices. Opportunities, careers, pathways and choices are constantly changing. Please have a look at our careers programme to understand the support your child will receive whilst they are with us.

Measuring impact

Olive AP Academy – Nene Valley assesses the impact of the careers programme offered to students through careful analysis of our student destinations data. This information about where our Year 11 leavers go on to study and work after leaving our academy, is reviewed in line with activities that the students have taken part in at school and is examined by the the Academy Advisory Board and academy leaders. In addition, we actively seek feedback from our students following key career events, activities and through surveys. This supports the evaluation of the programme and planning for future events in order to meet student needs.

Please also have a look at to our academy’s careers policy.

Careers support and guidance at our academy is led by Millie Andrews

e: millie.andrews@oliveacademies.org.uk

t: 01945 479704

Millie works alongside the local authority’s Transition Advisor.

For further advice and careers support, you can also try:

• Youth Employment UK - offers lots of support about how to get a first job, free training and tips on how to boost your life skills.
• All About School Leavers - an online careers advice service and contains articles, CV and interview tips as well as a jobs board where you can find apprenticeship vacancies. The website has advice for school leavers, as well as dedicated sections with info for parents and carers. Try their career test which helps school leavers match their personalities and interests with possible careers.
• Get My First Job - offers young people a whole new way to find apprenticeships and opportunities to get ahead. From traineeships to apprenticeships, it typically has over 10,000 vacancies across the country and connects you with the best employers and training providers to get you on the right track faster.
• Shaw Trust - a national charity which supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work, find jobs and live more independently. t: 0345 234 9675
• National Careers Service - provides free information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. The service offers confidential, helpful and impartial advice, supported by qualified careers advisers. From developing your CV to improving your interview skills, its website has lots of useful tools to help you make the right choices about your future. t: 0800 100 900
• Not Going to Uni - a website dedicated to helping young people make informed decisions about their future by showing the opportunities that exist outside of university. 0203 691 2800