Careers Programme

We will ensure all our students are well informed and well prepared for the world of work so that they can become respectful and valued members of our community and who have the courage and wisdom to follow their aspirations and lead the best life possible.

We want our pupils to be able to fulfil their potential and prepare for life beyond being at school. They will experience a careers curriculum that establishes a growing knowledge and awareness of the world of work and what they, as young people, can aim for as they prepare for adulthood and Post 16 transition. This includes delivering a breadth of opportunities and experiences that our pupils can start to build their own future pathways on.

• To raise the aspirations of all our students
• Access to careers learning from Year 7-11 – learning that is linked through their curriculum provision and also explicitly delivered sessions
• A careers curriculum that has contributions and feedback from them, their families, school staff and external employers
• Engagement with many different employers throughout Year 7 to Year 11 in a variety of formats such as assemblies, visits, talks, project work, careers events, Opportunities Evenings, Enterprise Days
• Unbiased careers advice and support from a Level 6 trained careers advisor
• Working with students and their families as they prepare for their future and for life after Liberty Academy to consider work as a life goal
• Staff who are committed to and passionate about helping them develop as they make key decisions and prepare for their future pathways
• Engagement with Apprenticeship providers and Universities
• Engagement with employers
• The school is working this year to meet the Gatsby benchmarks

The eight Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance

1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

We are keen to hear from our previous students and build our alumni network; this is extremely valuable for giving our students encounters with employers and employees (Benchmark 5). Seeing and hearing from previous students can help to raise the aspirations of our students.

If you can support the Academy’s careers provision by:

• coming in and giving a talk/run a workshop about your job role/business
• accommodating a visit (approx. 15 students) to your place of work
• giving a year 10 student a work experience placement
• giving an assembly about your job role/business
• sharing information about your job role/business 

For parents and carers, the job of helping their children make the right career choices is not easy with such a fast-moving labour market and changes in qualifications. We have put together some information below which will help you.

• For information on traineeships click here
• For information on apprenticeships click here
• For information on T Levels click here
• For information on Log on Move On college applications click here
• Connexions Careers Service – your child can also arrange a one to one meeting with a Careers Adviser. It is suggested that an appropriate adult attends with them
• For information on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) click here
• For information on student finance click here
• Career Map has prepared a special edition of Careermag for parents which contains a wealth of information. You can download and subscribe to this at no cost, simply go to careermap.co.uk to register.
• The national careers service also offers career advice and guidance on the various options available. Click here to visit the website
• The Youth Employment Service has some helpful information, click here to visit their website
• Click here for information for students who are not considering going to University

All students in Y11 have a careers interview with a Careers Advisor to discuss their options. All other students can make an appointment if they wish to do so.

At the end of Y10 students are introduced to Log on Move on, which is where they can apply for College or Apprenticeships. In Y11, students will complete their College applications with the support of our Careers Advisor and Connexions.

We are always striving to improve our careers programme and your feedback is essential. If you would like to offer any suggestions please complete this form.

Please do get in touch with our Careers Leader, Mrs Katrina Stephenson, on 01482 781912, ext 2100  or email k.stephenson@lib.hlt.academy if you require any further information.

Our aim is to ensure we deliver the very best careers education to all of our students. If you’re looking for more information on what you can do in the future you have come to the right place!

Career Interviews are provided at the Academy in partnership with Connexions, which supplements the impartial in-house advice delivered by the careers team. Our Connexions Adviser is Level 6 accredited for impartial careers information, advice and guidance. All students in Year 11 have a careers interview with a Careers Advisor to discuss their options. All other students can make an appointment if they wish to do so.

Here are some useful links to help you make informed decisions about your future:

• Connexions – you can arrange a one to one meeting with a careers adviser (an appropriate adult should go with you)
• Log On Move On – this is where you can research colleges and apprenticeships available and where you can apply. You can: Search local courses and apprenticeships; send and track applications; log your skills; create a CV; research your options. You will receive a username and password from Mrs Lockham
• Careerpilot – gives help with choices at 14, 16 and 18, routes to different qualifications and job sectors. Career tools to help you decide.
• icloud – gives general careers advice and short careers film clips.
• Get my first job – gives information and advertises a range of apprenticeships available.
• Tomorrow’s engineers – gives information on everything to do with engineering careers.
• Apprenticeships – gives access to the national apprenticeships database and general information.
• UCAS – all university information and websites.
• Careers box – gives short careers film clips.
• Russell Group – gives access to ’Informed Choices’ booklet which gives definitive information on GCSE and A-level subject choices.
• Amazing apprenticeships – Live Broadcasts about potential apprenticeship opportunities
• Find apprenticeship training – A brilliant search portal for all apprenticeships and you can search for all providers on here
• National Careers Service – They provide information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work.
• Practise reasoning tests – These are sample psychometric tests that employers and apprenticeship providers often use during the recruitment process.

At Liberty Academy, we want all students to know about the full range of learning and career opportunities available to them, including academic courses, technical education and apprenticeships. This policy explains how employers and training providers can engage with our students to share information about careers, pathways and opportunities.

This is part of the school’s legal duty under Provider Access Legislation and ensures students get meaningful, reliable information about their future options.

What students are entitled to

All students in Years 8 - 11 have the right to:

• Find out about technical education, apprenticeships and other training options.
• Hear from a range of employers and providers, including colleges, training organisations and apprenticeship providers.
• Learn about the different pathways after school, including sixth form, college, apprenticeships, or employment with training.
• Get advice on how to apply for courses, training or apprenticeships.

These experiences happen through lessons, assemblies, careers fairs, workshops, group sessions and taster events.

How employer and provider visits work

Students will have at least two encounters with technical education or apprenticeship providers in Years 8–9 and two further encounters in Years 10–11.

A meaningful encounter is a session where students can:

• Learn about your organisation and the opportunities you offer, including apprenticeships, training or career pathways.
• Understand the career routes and progression options available through your organisation.
• Ask questions and get advice on what it is like to work or train with you.

These sessions can take place in-person or online.

How employers and providers can get involved

If you are an employer or training provider and want to engage with our students, please contact:

Mrs Katrina Stephenson – Associate Assistant Vice Principal
Email: k.stephenson@lib.hlt.academy 
Phone: 01482 781912

You are invited to take part in:

• Assemblies and careers lessons
• Careers fairs and taster events
• Workshops, small group sessions or one-to-one talks

Tip: Events are planned in advance, so it’s best to contact the school early in the year.

All visits follow the school’s safeguarding policy rules to keep students safe.

Facilities and resources

The school can provide:

• Classrooms, private rooms, or the theatre for presentations
• Equipment to support your session
• Space in the Careers Resource Centre for your prospectuses or course information

Students can access the Careers Resource Centre in the library at breaks and lunchtimes.

All arrangements are agreed in advance with the Careers Leader, Mrs K. Stephenson.

Why this matters

Your engagement helps students:

• Explore a range of career pathways
• Make informed decisions about GCSEs, post-16 study or apprenticeships
• Understand what employers and providers are looking for in future employees

By working with employers and training providers, we aim to give every student the information, advice and experiences they need to plan their next steps with confidence.