Careers

OVERVIEW OF THE CAREERS AND HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME
2023-2024

Vision

Students will exhibit our three values of integrity, ambition and determination to achieve their career and higher education goals.  We will strive to bring out the very best in each student and support them; whether it be in gaining a place at university, an apprenticeship or securing employment in a desired profession. 

The Elms Academy is committed to delivering a robust Careers and Higher Edecucation Guidance programme to all students in Years 7-13. The careers programme enables our students to explore various career routes as soon as they start their journey at the Academy. The aim of the programme is to provide them with an understanding of the world of work and support them in making decisions about their future. All careers activities are developed in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance. We work with a number of partners, some of whom are listed below.

Overview of the Careers and Higher Education Programme -

This list is not exhaustive, and it is intended to give an overview of the minimum offer only.

Year 7

  • PSHE: Introduction to Careers
  • Visit to a university
  • IntoUniversity: Workshops on independent learning
  • King’s Scholars: Discovering university

Year 8

  • PSHE: Financial literacy
  •  Tracking career interest
  •  IntoUniversity: Visit to Oxbridge
  • King’s Scholars: 3-day subject exploration course

Year 9

  • PSHE: Considering future aspirations
  • GCSE options support
  • Guest speakers
  • IntoUniversity: Introduction to university life
  • King’s Scholars: Careers day

Year 10

  • CV support
  • Mock Job Interviews
  • Work Experience
  • IntoUniversity: Education choices
  • Bird & Bird Pioneer Programme: Employability skills

Year 11

  • One-to-one career interviews
  • Post-16 options support
  • IntoUniversity: Interview skills
  • Bird & Bird Pioneer Programme: Employability skills

Year 12

  • Mock Job Interviews
  • Unifrog: Researching universities / apprenticeships
  • Work Experience
  • Queen Mary Open Day
  • IntoUniversity: University visit
  • Motiv8 Mentoring programme
  • Career trips to local employers

Year 13

  • Writing personal statements
  • One-to-one UCAS support
  • Workshop: Skills for the future
  • IntoUniversity: One-to-one personal statement
  • support
  • Motiv8 Mentoring programme

IntoUniversity

IntoUniversity are an educational charity that focuses on raising students’ aspirations when it comes to their future pathways. In each year group, we have a cohort of 32 students who regularly participate in trips and workshops focused developing skills such as learning techniques, team work and public speaking.

The King's Scholars

The King’s Scholars programme, run by King’s College London, works with groups of 25 students in years 7-9. The programme aims to encourage pupils from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply to, and succeed at, top universities. The initiative aims to provide information, guidance, and reassurance on how to progress to university.

The Careers and Enterprise Company

A dedicated Enterprise Advisor from the Careers and Enterprise Company facilitates CV workshops designed for students in Year 10 who all must create their first CVs as part of the preparation for their work experience.

Inspiring the Future

Our annual Mock Interview Week involves all students in Years 10 and 12 giving them an excellent opportunity to boost their confidence and practise their interview technique. We source our volunteer interviewers from a variety of organisations via an online platform called Inspiring the Future.

Spark!

All Year 10 and Year 12 students undertake a week of work experience. This is an ideal opportunity for students to develop their confidence and independence while experiencing the world of work. While we encourage all students to find their own work experience, we source majority of placements through Spark! London.

Unifrog

Early in Year 12, students start exploring university courses in detail. The online platform Unifrog allows students to compare undergraduate programmes around the UK and make well informed decisions before completing UCAS applications.

Speakers for Schools

A number of high-profile guest speakers sourced via the charity Speakers for Schools present in assemblies sharing their journeys through education and career. The aim of the guest talks is raising students’ aspirations and teaching them about jobs within different industries.

Apprenticeships

Students who wish to explore the apprenticeship route have regular access to information provided by guest speakers from the ASK project and WhiteHat. Students also take part in the annual apprenticeship conference organised by Lambeth Borough where our young people can meet current apprentices.

Motiv8 Mentoring

Motiv8 Mentoring is a two-year programme run by volunteer mentors from the National Audit Office. Maintaining a mentoring relationship with a professional helps our young people develop valuable life skills and prepare them for the world of work.

CAREERS

The impact of the Careers Programme is regularly assessed by short post-activity feedback forms as well as larger end-of-year surveys. The careers team value student feedback and strive to implement student suggestions in planning of future activities. For more information about our Careers Programme, please contact our Careers Leader Maria Kotocova on 020 3056 0620 or mkotocova@theelmsacademy.org.uk

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