We encourage our students to live by the Vale of York Academy motto of ‘Always giving the best.’
As a school, we are committed to enabling our students to do this by providing them with the very best opportunities during their time with us, but also by equipping them with as much information, advice and guidance about their future choices and progression routes as possible.
Careers intends to prepare our students for their next steps, ensuring that they are confident and comfortable in their decisions. The ambition is that the students will flourish and be respectful, considerate, and responsible global citizens. The programme centres around individuality, by providing the resources and guidance to allow the students to make their own way in life. Raising aspirations is a fundamental part of their education as well as challenging gender stereotypes. In KS3 the intent is to expose students to as much relevant and up-to-date information as possible as this will build the foundations upon which they will make their future choices. In KS4 the intent is to mould their passions and interests by providing specific opportunities to think about their futures such as providing guidance, work experience, mock interviews, CV masterclasses, assessment centres, apprenticeship meet and greet, further educational support and preparation, and much more.
Careers is implemented in a multi strategy approach, there is clear leadership responsible for the strategic oversight with the appointment of a careers coordinator (JM) with a careers focused SLT line manager (RO). The careers programme at the Vale of York Academy adheres to both the Baker Clause and the Gatsby Benchmarks2. Careers is planned into the school curriculum spanning across subjects, tutor time, assemblies, and extracurricular activities3. The Vale of York Academy works with a range of partners to support our pupils including NYBEP, City of York Council, York St John University, York Cares, the NHS, The University of York, Wildhearts group, and others. The focus of the programme is not only on our pupils, but on their parents, the school staff and employers; further information can be found on their dedicated careers website page.
The impact of careers is notoriously hard to measure, as the impact may not come to fruition until many years after our students have left. However, there is clear evidence that a strong careers programme does have a positive impact on the majority of students. With that in mind we are constantly looking for ways to improve our offering and best support our pupils. This is done in a number of ways including, but not limited to:
-Conducting surveys of students, parents, staff, and employers to learn from their insights.
-Learning reviews to ensure careers in the curriculum is relevant.
-FSQ survey for years 7/9/11 – to gain an insight into their careers journey with us.
-Compass + evaluations measuring our effectiveness against the Gatsby Benchmarks.
-Internal careers meetings.
-Annual reviews of the careers provision and website
Careers Documents
Who to contact
If you have any questions about our Careers programme please contact the careers lead Mr J Martin by telephone 01904 560000 or email hello@voy.hslt.academy
Further information and support:
Careers Events
Project Dare
18th and 25th – 15 students from year 10 are going to take part in project dare which is being run by Aviva, giving the pupils the opportunity to learn more about the insurance and finance sector whilst developing their skills.
Work Experience
Our year 10 students will undertake their work experience from 12th-16th. If you are unable to find a suitable placement we have organised an alternative working with YSJ to offer an excellent bespoke opportunity for our pupils.
Careers Fair
On the 10th of July, Vale of York will be hosting its annual careers fair. There will be a range of employers and post 16 and 18 providers. All pupils in years 7-10 will get the opportunity to attend and interact with the stall holders learning about their different careers and courses.
Feedback
We are dedicated to supporting our students during their time at Vale of York Academy and after they leave us.
To ensure the careers provision is the best it can be and to best support our students we need you. Your feedback on the provision and any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated. Please complete the google form if you are able to provide any feedback. The form will be monitored at least half termly. https://forms.gle/bDT9poDjDHvgqTHD9
Students will be asked for feedback on the careers provision through the school council, PSHE lessons, form time activities and after careers specific events, however, they are more than welcome to complete the above form.
Information for Parents
The Vale of York Academy is committed to developing the life chances of all students, and aims to encourage and inspire them through a comprehensive programme of CEIAG.
Students take part in a wide ranging Careers Education package which includes looking at different options and taking part in activities which helps them to understand their own strengths and qualities.
In year 10 there is an opportunity for students to take part in work experience which will provide a chance to get to know an employer and the workplace.
The Vale of York Academy have close ties with local employers and other outside agencies who are invited into school to discuss different career paths and enable students to gain independent and impartial advice about the options which are best suited to them as individuals.
The careers curriculum is enriched through external support with employability embedded into the curriculum across all key stages.
We measure the impact of our careers programme termly through the use of the Compass Careers benchmarking tool. This evaluates our programme against national benchmarks and helps us to identify areas for further development.
Labour Market Information
Labour Market Information (LMI), describes statistical data regarding jobs, salaries, employers and employees, sectors, current employment conditions and future trends. The following LMI guide has a wealth of information available to you.
The attached Post 16 guide is a great resource to help you support your child in planning their future. The attached parents and carers apprenticeship guide may also be helpful.
If you would like any advice or support surrounding supporting your child in their careers education, or have any feedback, please contact Mr J Martin – hello@voy.hlt.academy
Information for Employers
Application for Provider Access
The school offers a comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance programme and an overview of this programme can be seen in the Careers area of the website.
Throughout the year, we host several events at school which focus on careers, aspirations, enterprise, and future study. If you would like to be involved in these events please contact;
Mr J Martin – Careers Lead
hello@voy.hlt.academy
01904 560000
The school will make a suitable space available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity. The school will also make available ICT and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Lead or a member of their team.
Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature with the Careers Lead so that they can be displayed in the Careers Section of the school library.
The below information sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
The below information sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997, including the later amendment introduced as The Baker Clause, which stipulates that schools must allow colleges and training providers access to every student in Years 8 to 11 to inform them about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.
The updated Provider Access Legislation (PAL) comes into place in January 2023 and specifies schools must provide at least six encounters for all their students:
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (Year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (Year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
We are pleased to confirm that we are already complying with providing these encounters for our students.
Gatsby Benchmarks - Careers
What are the Gatsby Benchmarks?
The Gatsby Benchmarks are 8 benchmarks of best practice, which are now more commonly known as ‘The Gatsby Benchmarks’. They are:
Every school and college should have a stable, structured careers programme that has the explicit backing of the senior management team. There should be an identified and appropriately trained person responsible for it. It should be published on the school’s website and accessible to pupils, parents, teachers and employers. The programme should be regularly evaluated with feedback from pupils, parents, teachers and employers.
By the age of 14, all pupils should have accessed and used information about career paths and the labour market to inform their own decisions on study options. Parents should be encouraged to access and use information about labour markets and future study options to inform their support to their children. An informed adviser can help them make the best use of available information.
Pupils have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each pupil. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout. A school’s careers programme should actively seek to challenge stereotypical thinking and raise aspirations. Schools should keep systematic records of the individual advice given to each pupil, and subsequent agreed decisions. All pupils should have access to these records to support their career development. Schools should collect and retain accurate data for each pupil on their education, training or employment destinations for at least three years after they leave the school.
By the age of 14, every pupil should have had the opportunity to learn how the different STEM subjects help people to gain entry to, and be more effective workers within, a wide range of careers.
Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. Every year, from the age of 11, pupils should participate in at least one meaningful encounter*with an employer. A ‘meaningful encounter’ is one in which the student has an opportunity to learn about what work is like or what it takes to be successful in the workplace. This can be achieved through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.
By the age of 16, every pupil should have had at least one experience of a workplace, additional to any part-time jobs they may have. By the age of 18, every pupil should have had one further such experience, additional to any part-time jobs they may have.
By the age of 16, every pupil should have had a meaningful encounter* with providers of the full range of learning opportunities, including sixth forms, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers. This should include the opportunity to meet both staff and pupils. By the age of 18, all pupils who are considering applying for university should have had at least two visits to universities to meet staff and pupils. A ‘meaningful encounter’ is one in which the student has an opportunity to explore what it is like to learn in that environment.
Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a Careers Adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs. Every pupil should have at least one such interview by the age of 16, and the opportunity for a further interview by the age of 18.