At Weavers Academy, we are committed to ensuring that all students are fully supported and guided throughout the process of planning their futures. We offer a robust programme of education, information, advice, and guidance for all students from Years 7 to 13. With this comprehensive approach, we believe our students are well-prepared to make informed decisions and succeed in whatever paths they choose.

Through our careers programme, we provide excellent careers education through a range of opportunities and activities from whole school initiatives such careers fairs, visits, trips, assemblies alongside department-led initiatives. We integrate careers guidance into form time through our PSHE curriculum, offering students multiple opportunities to explore their future paths and gain personalised advice and guidance from their tutor. Staff at Weavers Academy play an active role in preparing students for life beyond school.

All students will:

• Develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their abilities, and their interests.
• Gain insight into the range of opportunities available to them across different career sectors.
• Participate in work-related activities both in and outside of school to gain hands-on experience.
• Understand the labour market, including the requirements and expectations of employers.
• Learn how to make wise decisions about their future and be fully prepared to navigate change.
• Receive full support during key transition periods and key stages.
• Improve their employability by learning how to search for, secure, and advance in their chosen careers.

Key Stage 3: Foundations for Future Careers. Students begin their journey by exploring what careers are and understanding how their personal interests can guide their future. By Year 9, students are introduced to a variety of career options, including pathways in STEAM industries like Motorsport, enabling them to start considering their post-16 pathways. Students are introduced to Unifrog as a platform to help them discover future opportunities and begin to create their own path and build an idea of the career they might like to pursue.

Key Stage 4: Focus on Pathways and Skills. At Key Stage 4, students delve into post-16 pathways and employability skills. Using tools like Unifrog, students explore careers that align with their personalities and skill sets. Year 10 students participate in CV writing, cover letter creation, and interview practice. Work experience placements are encouraged, providing valuable real-world insight that can be added to their CVs.

In Year 11, each student has a 1-to-1 careers interview with a qualified advisor to help refine their goals. We also offer workshops and regular updates for both students and parents to support post-16 applications.

Key Stage 5: Career Preparation and Experience. At Key Stage 5, students continue to focus on career planning and employability. Visits to higher education institutions and the UCAS Fairs help students explore potential career pathways. We also provide comprehensive support for students applying to apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships, helping them navigate the application process and find opportunities that align with their skills and ambitions. Year 12 students are encouraged to secure work experience placements to bolster their CVs and personal statements.

Measuring and Assessing the Impact of the Careers Program

At Weavers Academy, we are committed to ensuring that our careers program is effective, relevant, and beneficial to all our students. To measure and assess the impact of our careers guidance, we employ a range of strategies:

Student Feedback Questionnaires: We regularly survey our students to gather feedback on the careers advice and support they receive. These questionnaires help us understand how well the program meets their needs, what they find most helpful, and areas for improvement.

Uptake in Opportunities: We track the number of students participating in careers-related activities, such as workshops, career fairs, and employer talks. This data provides insight into the level of engagement and interest in the opportunities available through the program.

Active Participation in Work Experience: We monitor student involvement in work experience placements, a key element of our careers education. By assessing both participation rates and the quality of placements, we can ensure students are gaining valuable, hands-on experience in fields that align with their career interests.

Feedback from Teaching Staff and Tutors: Teachers and tutors play an essential role in guiding students through their career development. We regularly seek their feedback on how the careers program supports the academic and personal growth of students, and how it contributes to helping students make informed decisions about their futures.

Through these methods, we continually refine our careers provision, ensuring it remains responsive to student needs and aligned with the evolving job market.

If you have any questions regarding our careers provision or would like to support the school, please contact:

Richard Austen (Ambition Lead)

• Email: richard.austen@weaversacademy.org.uk
• Phone: 01933 222830

Policies relating to our careers provision can be found here: policies

Date of next review: September 2025