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  • Careers

    Sir William Robertson Academy is committed to delivering high quality Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG), which is personalised and impartial, to all of its students.

    Throughout their time at SWRA, our students are encouraged to develop and build a deeper understanding of themselves in order that they are better equipped to make sound future choices. This is carried out through the CEIAG elements, in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks. We recognise how important it is for our students to receive effective and bespoke careers advice and guidance in order for them to make informed choices about their future. Students are supported with developing their skills, qualities and wider knowledge, and also to build upon their strengths. Lessons are designed to allow our students to look and move forwards. 

    All of our students access professional, one-to-one careers guidance. This enables them to discuss their skills and ideas in order to be able to research further and then produce a plan that will allow them to maximise their own potential and achieve carefully planned goals. Our advice and guidance supports students throughout their progression to further and higher education, traineeships and apprenticeships. 

    Careers education is embedded across the curriculum, with lessons regularly incorporating links to associated careers. Specific careers lessons are also provided for every year group, in which future options and aspirations are explored. 

    We also offer extracurricular opportunities which support career development, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and encourage students to carry out voluntary and charity work which can enhance their career prospects, such as the Swimarathon. 

    We work hard to ensure that our students are enterprising, self-confident and resilient, as well as having an all-round education in order for them to achieve their career goals. 

    All careers information, education, advice and guidance is provided in an impartial manner, showing no bias or favouritism towards particular institutions or education or work options. Information covers a wide range of education and training options, including university, apprenticeships, the military and technical education routes. All guidance is given to promote the best interests of the pupils who receive it. One-to-one advice is provided to all year 10 and Year 12 students by a professional careers adviser, Mrs Julie Reynolds, from Complete Careers. 

    We use the Gatsby Benchmarks to measure the quality of our careers provision and are proud to have been awarded the Career Mark, which recognises our commitment to work towards meeting the Quality in Careers Standard incorporating the Gatsby Benchmarks. A Gatsby Benchmarks review is carried out termly; student, staff, parent and employers surveys are carried out annually; and our CEIAG programme and evaluation processes are reviewed annually. 

    If you would like further information or you can support our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance, we would like to hear from you. 

    Contact: Mrs Dowding, sarai.dowding@swracademy.org 

    Programme Intent

    High quality career education and guidance is critical to young people’s futures. It helps to prepare them for the workplace by providing a clear understanding of the world of work, including the routes to jobs and careers that they might find engaging and rewarding. It supports them to choose their pathways, improve their life opportunities and develop the employment skills they need to achieve career success.  

    At SWRA, our careers provision aims to: 

    • Develop the knowledge and awareness of our students of the wide range of careers and career pathways available to them, including technical qualifications and apprenticeships  

    • Support students to be able to learn more about opportunities for education and training outside of school before making crucial choices about their future options  

    • Reduce drop out from courses and avoid the risk of students becoming NEET (Young people not in education, employment or training)  

    • Teach lessons which demonstrate clear links between curriculum subjects and a wide variety of careers  

    • Raise aspirations and actively challenge stereotypes  

    • Develop employability skills and prepare students for the world of work 

    Expand – Aspire – Succeed 

    At Key Stage 3, our Careers programme is designed to expand students’ horizons, increasing their awareness of the wide range of future options available to them. 

    At Key Stage 4, the Careers programme encourages students to consider the futures towards which they aspire and how they can achieve those, by increasing awareness of their various post-16 options and providing workplace experience and one-to-one career guidance.

    At Key Stage 5, our Careers programme focusses on providing the skills, experiences and one-to-one guidance which they need to succeed in their next steps, as they move into adulthood.