Parents and Carers
Here at WBCA we are committed to providing high-quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) to enable our students to make informed and incisive decisions about their future.
We will ensure that students are confident and prepared for the next stage in their education journey. We will encourage all students to consider a broad range of careers and pathways that are right for them and use contacts from the world of work, further and higher education.
At Key Stage 3, careers information is integrated within the Form Time Personal Development Sessions, where several units focusing on Careers are covered, the Literacy for Life curriculum where careers are linked to specific subjects and will also be delivered via a series of Focus Days, stand-alone events and opportunities.
Click here to visit the Careers News Hub where you can see our fortnightly Careers and Post-16 Opportunities Newsletter.
If you would like to provide any feedback on our Careers offering or have any suggestions please contact [email protected]
Our Goal
The overall goal of the careers programme for students is:
- Self-Development: Understand themselves and the influences on them
- Career Exploration: Investigate opportunities in learning and work
- Career Management: Make and adjust plans for their desired pathway
- Transition: Being fully equipped to transition into their chosen pathway
Careers Topics
At WBCA we use the Gatsby Benchmarks to develop and improve our careers provision.
Gatsby Benchmarks
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
There will be a special focus on careers in Years 9 and 10.
The range of activities will be delivered by employers, further and higher education representatives, training providers, preparation organisations, teaching staff and the careers adviser.
Learning activities will include:
- Employability skills and preparation for work
- Options at Year 9
- Enterprise activities
- Work Experience
- Introducing Higher Education
- Progression options – Post 16
- Apprenticeships
- Further Education
- CV preparation and completing application forms
Readiness for Work
To get students work-ready we will ensure that:
- Students will have completed and regularly updated their Career Development Planner (Year 9 to Year 11).
- Students will have developed a CV and cover letter by the end of Year 10.
- We have developed students’ research skills so that they can make good use of the information they gain.
- We have involved local businesses and community groups in the career development of the students.
- We have run visits to workshops, careers related shows and conferences for students to raise aspirations and their careers knowledge and awareness.
LMI – Careerometer
Ever wondered what the average pay or working hours are for a particular job? Try the widget here to find out:
Careers Programme and Policies
The Academy has a statutory duty to publish additional content regarding the careers programme including the careers lead.
Contact details for the WBCA Careers Co-ordinator
Miss Jennifer Adams, HR and Careers Lead
[email protected]
0121 393 4850
Miss Mary Gardner, Vice Principal
[email protected]
0121 393 4850
This information will be reviewed in July 2023.
Monitoring and measuring the impact of our careers programme
Students will complete an annual questionnaire to determine their preferences for careers and areas of industry and their knowledge of the topics.
We will use Student Voice and Careers and Guidance interviews to assess the impact of our Careers Programme.
We use Compass+ to track encounters with providers and employers and in-school activities. This allows us to evaluate the quality of our provision against the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Useful links and information
