Academy careers strategy 2020 -2022

The Macclesfield Academy is fully committed to ensuring that all of our students acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes to manage their learning and career progression. The Academy has already established a range of effective careers guidance activities which we hope will guide support our students to achieve positive destinations such as A ‘levels, Higher Education, Apprenticeships, Technical routes or Employment.

This careers strategy sets out The Academy’s the activities and participation opportunities that already are, or will be available to, our students.  The aim is to ensure that students are fully prepared for and informed effectively about their next steps and can therefore aspire to achieve their full potential.

To support the implementation of this strategy The Academy will work alongside a number of external agencies and organisations. These partnerships will include:

• The Careers and Enterprise Company
• The Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub
• Further Education providers (Sixth Forms and Colleges)
• Higher Education providers (Universities)
• The Macclesfield Pledge, including a wide range of local employers

Click here for our full Careers strategy 2020

Our aim is to prepare students for life, by making them inquisitive young adults with the determination and resilience to succeed. We also want students to be planning their Post 16 journey throughout their time at the Academy, so we have built our careers advice and guidance programme into all years from 7 to 11.

We currently engage a fully qualified and independent careers advisor who works with individuals and groups throughout the academic year. They are also part of the whole school planning and delivery programme delivered through PSHEE.

Our programme contains the following strands:

• Raising aspirations
• Personal goals and action plans
• Post 16 progression routes: A levels, apprenticeships, University, etc.
• Local labour market information
• Interview and assessment skills
• Career opportunities and pathways
• Work experience
• Applications and CVs

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance overview by year group
Year 7

• Aspirations and goals
• A 5 year plan
• Skills and interests survey
• The ‘whole you’, it’s not just qualifications
• Qualifications & Pathways
• 11 – 21: education routes and opportunities
• Higher education

Year 8

• Introduction to GCSE and vocational pathways at the Academy
• Local market information and career pathways
• Identifying skills and interests
• Team work and practical skill development
• Visiting speakers, including ex-students

Year 9

• Attend Macclesfield careers fair
• Workshops and activities with local employers
• Group meetings with independent careers advisor

Year 10

• Work placement application forms
• Complete a one week work experience with local employers
• Group and 1-2-1 meetings with independent careers advisor

Year 11

• Attend college and Sixth Form open evenings and taster days
• Apprenticeship information and assemblies
• Post 16 opportunities (Sixth Form & college information and assemblies)
• 1-2-1 meetings with independent careers advisor
• Application form and CV workshops
• Formal interview and feedback with external partners (Rotary club)

The Cheshire and Warrington Pledge are helping us to work towards the embedding of the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks, as well as reviewing the impact of our programme and suggesting improvements to the support and guidance we offer all students.

For more information or to offer support for our careers programme here at the Macclesfield Academy, please contact our Careers and IAG Leader by email sally.burgess@macclesfiedlacademy.org or by phone 01625 383100.