Careers Programme
Careers Programme – 2023/ 2024
Aims & Vision of Spring Brook Academy
We aim to ensure a high quality of vocational and careers education for our young people, to be delivered in a meaningful and appropriate way for their needs and circumstances.
Creating meaningful futures for all underpins the careers programme with the individual at the heart of everything we do.
Our Trust’s Mission is at the heart of our school’s mission:
Learning Together
Learning for All
Learning for Life
Through person centered planning with Education, Health & Care plans at the centre, we support students to articulate their aspirations for adult life, and for many their aspirations to work.
Pathways of Careers Education at Spring Brook Academy
In order to support students to achieve their aspirations, careers education at Spring Brook Academy consists of the following pathways:
Academic Pathway
Supporting students through career choices and community information through the academic curriculum in all subjects with a particular emphasis on community and careers delivered through our PSHE and Learning for Life curriculums.
Vocational Pathway
In year 9 our bespoke vocational pathway is focused on identifying the skills, interests and talents of our pupils allowing focused activities to be provided for pupils to ‘build skills’, ‘gain qualifications’ and ‘experience the workplace’ in the vocational areas of their choice allowing them to explore their interests and discover potential future careers.
Community Living Pathway
The Community Living Pathway is a bespoke pathway for pupils who are academically working below NCY1 level in most areas of the curriculum. Pupils have individual destinations set for the future based on their EHCP’s and specific needs.
All areas of the curriculum are used as a vehicle to deliver and develop the knowledge, understanding and skills within each pupil’s EHCP outcomes and are taught as a holistic approach linking heavily to the local community and developing the independence of the learners to ensure they reach their appropriate destination.
Careers Education Summary
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Key Stage 3 |
Careers Education Focus |
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Year 7 & 8 |
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Year 9 |
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General School Life
Magic Breakfast
Every day in school a team of pupils prepare and serve breakfast to the school cohort. They set up for the service, prepare and serve bagels, toast, cereal, yoghurts and juice. Pupils are also responsible for cleaning and tidying up after breakfast service. All volunteers must have passed their food hygiene level 2 qualification.
The Tuck Shop
Pupils in school run and manage an in-house small shop which is open at break times. Those working in the tuck shop are allocated roles dependent on their abilities, needs and interests.
Social Enterprise
Pupils carry out a wide range of Social Enterprise activities, raising money for the different charities. These activities take the form of car washes, bake sales, sports challenges and recycling/environmental activities.
Our Vision
At Spring Brook Academy and The Spring Board Project, we are committed to providing all learners with access to a high quality and stable careers programme. We strive to develop our young people and to prepare them for Adulthood. Creating meaningful futures for all underpins the careers programme with the individual at the heart of everything we do.
Our Trust’s Mission at the heart of our school’s mission
- Learning Together
- Learning for All
- Learning for Life
“Belief that all our pupils, whatever their background or ability will be successful and valued”
Every young person needs high-quality career guidance to make informed decisions about their future. Good career guidance is a necessity for social mobility: those young people without significant social capital or home support to draw upon have the most to gain from high-quality career guidance.
https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance
Intended Outcomes
Provide all pupils with effective careers information, education, advice and guidance. Encourage pupils to make good choices and understand what they need to do to succeed in the careers in which they aspire.
Our careers programme is embedded throughout our curriculum in all year groups. All students receive a rich provision of classroom, vocational and extra-curricular activities to understand and experience a variety of education and vocational activities and how they can be successful in the future.
Our careers programme can be found on the link HERE:
Careers Programme – 2023/ 2024
How does the programme work?
Spring Brook Academy and the Spring Board Project are committed to providing a planned careers programme for all students that incorporates learning for life lessons, a vocational curriculum, careers activities/events and subject specific careers learning experiences.
The Careers Team
Mr J Hopkins – Careers leader Spring Brook Academy
Mrs Anne-Marie Cripps – Careers leader Spring Board Project
Information for families, parents and carers
As a parent, carer or family member you have a leading role when it comes to your child making decisions about their career. It is important to be prepared and feel confident when they come to you for advice. Below is lots of information and links to websites to support you in assisting your child with their future career choices.
https://barclayslifeskills.com/families/
https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/careers-advice-for-parents/
A Parent’s Guide to Apprenticeships
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQMTRi1lcUw
Parent’s Guide to Careers: The Parents Guide to Careers
Information for Employers
At Spring Brook Academy we are always looking to develop strong links with local employers. We work with them in our careers programme in various ways.
Some employers come into school and talk to our students about their businesses or apprenticeships. They discuss what the job is like, along with what skills and qualifications are desired.
Some examples of local employers we work with are:
The army
Manchester City
Manchester Airport
Cakebread studios
Wolfpack Strength
For those employers who currently work with us, please feedback your experience by contacting:
0161 883 3431
We are always keen to engage with further employers to expand our curriculum and careers offer further. If you would be interested in working in partnership with Spring Brook Academy please email:
0161 883 3431
https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/10-tips-employer-wanting-work-school/
Information for teachers
This page also has useful information for teachers to access in delivering the curriculum in relation to the world of work. Please access the following links for careers advice, videos and labour market Information:
Useful Career Videos:
https://learnliveuk.com/videos-index/?category=careers https://www.speakersforschools.org/inspiration/vtalks/vtalks-video-library/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/careers Useful TV Series to watch:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07mddqk https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p06zhf9j/the-nine-to-five-with-stacey-dooley
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zf3m1
Careers Box:
https://www.careersbox.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR0rbhw7wikeemYIns_La4T-KKQTkzqVIp3p5DyU1NWpzuB6BN8l2YouFh8
https://targetcareers.co.uk/parents-and-teachers
Youth Employment:
https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/careers-hub/
Life Skills:
http://www.barclayslifeskills.com
Labour Market Information and opportunities in Oldham and Greater Manchester
It is important that you understand local and national labour market information so that it is possible to make informed choices and decisions for the future.
https://gmacs.co.uk/areas/oldham/
Overview of Greater Manchester labour market information
Other careers guidance and information links:
https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance
https://compass.careersandenterprise.co.uk/info
https://gmacs.co.uk/ – careers exploration through Greater Manchester’s Apprenticeship and Careers Service
nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk – this is the Government’s hub for careers advice for people of all ages where you can find help with drafting letters, CVs, exploring your skills or seeking careers advice
https://www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships – the National Apprenticeship Service website provides general advice and information about apprenticeships. Also advertises current vacancies
www.icould.com – aims to help you to make the most of your potential by showing how others have used theirs, take the ‘Buzz’ personality profile quiz
www.startprofile.com – investigate careers, watch videos and get great advice, find out about employers and work experience opportunities in your area
www.successatschool.org – gives clear and comprehensive information about a range of Career Zones (sectors), in an easy to access format. Students can create a profile to help to collate useful information. ’60 second interviews’ giving profile of professionals, provide a useful insight into specific careers
www.how2become.com – offers detailed advice on how to access a range of sectors. Also offers the purchase of resources, compiled in conjunction with professionals working in these fields, designed to enable you to achieve your dream career or course
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk – opportunities that exist outside of university
MyCareerSpringboard.org – springboard is for students. It is divided into two main sections: the Career Test and the Career Exploration Tool.
www.allAboutApprenticeships.co.uk – gives live apprenticeship vacancies, organised by sector or area. Also offers plenty of advice on making applications
For any enquiries regarding careers education, information, advice or guidance or for any feedback regarding our careers programme please contact our Careers Leader Mr Hopkins by email at:
0161 883 3431