Our careers coordinator is Mr Dan Payne. You may contact him by telephone on 01473 466109 during normal working hours in term time or by email at careers@westbourne.attrust.org.uk.
This information was reviewed and updated in January 2021. The date of the next review is September 2021.
We are an inclusive academy. We support students, no matter what their starting point, to achieve their potential and develop the skills necessary for employment and life.
During their time with Westbourne Academy, students will take part in a number of careers and work related learning activities. In Key Stage 3, students are encouraged to explore different careers and occupations using a variety of methods including attending site visits and using an online program designed to give impartial careers guidance and information. In Key Stage 4, students will be expected to demonstrate efficient and practical career planning skills along with an associated understanding of post 16 options that are available to them locally and nationwide. They will take part in progression interviews, workshops and external events which are designed to assist with raising aspirations and managing expectations.
Whilst we realise that careers advice is the responsibility of all relevant staff at Westbourne Academy, we also have a designated Careers Leadership Team who are responsible for delivering our careers programme and meeting all eight Gatsby Benchmarks.
The team comprises of the following staff:
To complement the work that this group do, we also have a wider group of staff that provide quality advice and guidance to students across the year by:
We also acknowledge and value the support which we gain from our ‘Local Employers’ and of course our students parents. We are also actively engaged in providing the same high quality information we give our students to their parents and carers as well.
In 2010 we made the decision to move away from the traditional pattern of a two week work experience block where all students go on work experience at the same time.
If you would like to attend a period of work experience you will need to make contact and confirm a placement independently. Mr Payne our Careers Lead will be able to give you some guidance on your approach to secure a placement and will provide where possible an existing contact. For Year 11’s it is important to find out if you are required to complete any form of work experience for any course starting in September and make the necessary arrangements.
There is certain information that you and your parents need to consider when you arrange your placement in addition to gaining the consent of the organisation.
Make sure that you are securing a placement during the school holidays. Work experience during term time MUST be approved by the Principal.
Make sure the organisation has Public Liability Insurance.
Make sure that you are covered under the Employers Liability Insurance for the duration of your placement.
Make sure that your parents understand that they are responsible for you in the event of an emergency.
Wherever possible get confirmation of your placement in writing.
The academy will confirm with any employer who contacts them relating to work experience the following:
At Westbourne we continually strive to provide our students with the latest information relating to the range of apprenticeship opportunities available to them post-16. Click on the links below to see apprenticeships in Suffolk.
http://www.thesource.me.uk/jobsandcareers/apply-for-an-apprenticeship/
http://www.westsuffolkcollege.ac.uk/apprenticeships/apprentice-vacancies.aspx
https://apprenticeshipssuffolk.org/
The following are a variety of online resources which you can access either in school or at home to help you with information and additional guidance regarding Post 16 choices and beyond.
Kudos is an impartial online careers guidance and information program that helps young people plan their future and make informed decisions”.
Access to Kudos – Click here and follow the link – students should click on ‘new Kudos’ to get access.
THE SOURCE – Suffolk County Council’s site for Information, advice and Support for Young People in Suffolk. Choose the free resources and workshops that work best for you.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you will work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, study towards a related qualification (usually one day a week). Apprenticeships take 1 to 4 years to complete depending on their level. For details on how to apply advice and information.
I COULD
icould is a small, dynamic charity, providing career inspiration and information for young people. We show what is possible in work and offer different ways to think about careers through free access to over 1000 personal video stories, detailed job information, plus practical tips, insight and advice.
NATIONAL CAREERS SERVICE
The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. The service offers confidential and impartial advice. This is supported by qualified careers advisers. Students can produce CV and career plans online.
The A Level explorer tool can help students select subjects and then shows them the link to future possible degree courses available. Especially useful if you have no idea which degree course you would like to study.
NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk and West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Groups. This website includes information and videos about jobs roles, upcoming events and current job vacancies in the Health Sector.
Visit NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk and West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Groups
8: Our Partners
We are very proud to be able to provide our students with an entensive array of employer engagement activities and have been supported in this endeavor by a growing group of local businesses and post 16 providers.
Progression Interviews – These are one to one sessions for students in Key Stage 4 which are focused on providing a platform upon which career planning and managing expectations are based. These also involve parents and guardians and are linked closely with student attainment and post 16 option choices.
Enrichment Programs – Open to students who meet externally funded provider eligibility. These range from 12 week courses in character and team building skills to internal and external mentoring programs for 1 or 2 academic years.
Higher Educational Site Visits – Students who meet eligibility criteria and for whom the experience would provide motivation and inspiration.
Regional and National Events – Students will be encouraged to take part when appropriate in both regional and national events to help with the understanding of the skills and experiences which will be required in the world of work.
Transition Evening – Open to students in both Key Stages, and parents and guardians. This event is to help those in Key Stage 3 to understand where their Option Choices can lead and for those in Key Stage 4 to help determine the most appropriate Post 16 opportunities available.
Employer Talks – Open to all students in Key stage 4 by student selection and invitation, to provide up to date and relevant overview of industry and sector specific information and advice.
To assist with the continual development of our Careers Programme, we use a variety of tools to help measure success and areas for development.
Completed on a termly basis to help evaluate the opportunities we provide against the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Regularly completed for individual events.
At parent evenings.
Fortnightly review between the Head of Careers and Senior Leadership link.
Termly meeting with governor link and yearly report to full local academy committee.
To see our results, performance and destination data please go to our Results page here.
