Careers Education

We value Careers education at Duke’s Aldridge Academy and strive to provide a broad, balanced and impartial education in careers and future pathways that empowers students with the knowledge to make informed decisions through the following :

  • Embedding into the curriculum opportunities for students to develop and use employability skills that will allow them to flourish in the world of work. 
  • Making  links between subject areas and careers education to ensure that students see how their academic studies can link to future study and employment. 
  • Helping students develop into reflective individuals who are empowered to choose their own path through an awareness of their personal qualities and goals. 
  • Giving students the opportunity to grow their own networks and develop their cultural capital through careers activities and events which broaden their horizons. 
  • Providing comprehensive and accessible careers provision which supports the needs of all students. 
  • Equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to be fully prepared for their next stage of education or employment whether they choose to go on to university, a college, an apprenticeship or work.

Careers Education starts from Year 7 and is provided through a number of specialist lessons, collapsed days, tutorials, assemblies, mentoring, projects and experiences such as educational visits.

Careers is first introduced to students in Year 7, as they reflect on their achievements to date and start examining career literacy and future pathways. Throughout each year at Duke’s there are engaging lessons and a range of opportunities to help all students make informed decisions about their future.  

In the Summer Term, Year 8 students identify their own strengths and areas for development and explore how to develop employability skills for the modern workplace. Year 8 complete both the Interests and Personality profile quizzes and start to look ahead towards key stage 4 decisions and learn about the various pathways ahead, both academic and vocational, specifically apprenticeships.

Year 9 continue their exploration of Careers including assessing the various pathways ahead, career-related literacy and labour market information. One to one interviews during the options process allows students to make informed decisions for key stage 4 and start looking ahead to the various decisions at 16 as well as starting to record how they have strengthened their own employability skills and competencies.Parents/Carers are encouraged to work alongside students so they can make informed decisions on their futures.  

In addition to Careers-related PSHE lessons, Year 10 have an Employability day where students learn about the rapidly changing world of work, have face to face meaningful encounters with a wide range of employers, practice their interview technique and start to plan their CVs as well as developing financial literacy. Students enjoy a full week’s external work experience in the summer term where the majority are placed by our external partners.  Students also benefit from specialist advice from a  fully qualified careers and pathways advisor in Year 10 and have interview skills days on Year 11.  

Furthermore, at each key stage, information evenings for students and parents, enable students to be informed about their choices and the career pathways open to them. 

The Careers Leader ensures that the school works towards surpassing the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks.

The Careers lead at Duke’s Aldridge Academy is: Mrs N L Mertcan

If you would like further details on the Career Programme, please contact Mrs N L Mertcan on 020 8275 4872 (ext 872) or via email using nme@dukesacademy.org.uk

More information and guidance for provider access can be found in our careers policy

We are always trying to develop new ways to share important careers information, advice and guidance with young people, parents, teachers/school staff, and careers advisors.  We would like your feedback to make sure they can create content useful to you and share it with you in the way that works best. Please complete the survey below to tell us what is working well and what else you would like to know in relation to careers: 

https://forms.gle/ewQ3jyFw4CUj4Myj8

Building a network of people who could help you

The Aldridge Foundation has launched Aldridge Connect, a free site on the social media platform LinkedIn, which has over 27 million users in the UK and focuses on jobs and careers. Joining can help you grow professional connections in industries that interest you; gives you immediate access to a network of all Aldridge students AND professional companies; and provides help with CVs.

Link https://www.linkedin.com/school/aldridge-connect

The next annual review of the Careers provision and policy will take place in April 2024. View PDF

What Is LMI And What Types Of LMI Are There?

LMI stands for Labour Market Information. In short, it refers to any relevant information about the current state of the jobs market.

LMI can include information like:

  • The industries and businesses that operate in a certain location.
  • The types of jobs that exist and what they involve.
  • How many of those jobs there are.
  • The skills that are currently or will be in high demand.
  • Commute and travel to work patterns.
  • Typical rates of pay.
  • Career progression opportunities.

LMI can be both quantitative (related to numbers and statistics), and qualitative (information and phenomena that can be observed but not measured). Qualitative LMI is usually based on studies and on data such as the Census, while qualitative LMI is based on interviews, anecdotes, press reports, networks, and so on.

Why Is LMI Useful?

The world of work is complex, even for adults who have had long professional careers. Many people feel that they fell into their career “by accident” or had to take the available opportunities rather than follow their passions.

LMI helps to demystify the jobs market. It helps to take the confusion out of career planning, job hunting, career progression, and changing career. When people have accurate and up-to-date information, they are better equipped to make an informed choice and to plan appropriately.

More information on LMI can be found on the link below:

https://www.lmiforall.org.uk/

 

Useful Websites

www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk  – National Careers Service

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk -National Health Service

www.nmc-uk.org – Nursing and Midwifery Council

www.stemnet.org.uk – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths

www.autocity.org.uk – Careers inform from the automotive industry

www.army.mod.uk – Army

www.raf.mod.uk – RAF

www.royalnavy.mod.uk – Navy

www.mod.uk – Ministry of Defence

www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk – Advice and guidance to parents & carers with regards to the options open to students after leaving school

www.careersbox.co.uk – Careers films on the web

http://icould.com – Careers Advice, Choices & Ideas

www.startprofile.com – Prepare students for a rapidly changing world

www.plotr.co.uk – Discover and explore careers you’ll love

www.careersworld.co.uk – Online careers resource

www.connexions360.org.uk – General information for young people

http://getsmaart.com – School Leaver Career and Course Information

http://www.whatuni.com/– All you need to find the right uni!

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk – League tables and rankings

www.russellgroup.ac.uk – Represents 20 leading UK universities

www.oxbridgeapplications.com – How to apply and much more
http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/ – the one stop site for apprenticeships, gap years, distance learning and jobs

http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/ – the one stop site for apprenticeships, gap years, distance learning and jobs