Careers
Careers at Huxlow academy is an integral part of school life from where students begin to explore their talents in KS3 and realise their futures in KS4 and KS5.
Career related learning aims at Huxlow
We define Career related learning as the provision that we offer to all of our students throughout all of the key stages to prepare and develop career and enterprise related skills before they leave and delve into the world of work, college, university or apprenticeships. Our aims and careers development programmes are developed in line with the Career Development Framework as set out below:
The careers programme is mapped against the Gatsby benchmarks and leadership is CDI L6 qualified. SEND students follow the same opportunities as their peers with adjustments, as necessary. They are supported using advocacies, visits and as many follow up interviews as is needed. We pride ourselves in our 100% positive destinations achievement. All Year 11 students are provided with the opportunity to speak with our trained careers advisor throughout the year to discuss next steps and to support students with impartial advice. Year 12 and 13 students are also provided with this guidance to support their next steps, whether this be into the world of work, university life or the world of apprenticeships.
Our Careers Curriculum
Year 7 focus on exploration of ideas and potentials, the focus is on smashing stereotypes, having ambitious ideas, working on their dream careers, and working through on self-improvement as a learner. Students will also participate in a Bring your child to work day in order to experience a workplace and what it is like to be an ‘employee for the day’.
Year 8 continue to explore the world of careers by delving into the recruitment process and what it entails to apply for and be successful at an interview. Students will also be able to investigate different workplaces and discover some of their interests that they may have investigated in Year 7. Students will also start to learn about the labour market and begin to think about their own CV, as well as a topic on financial education and money management.
Year 9 is an extremely important year as students make their GCSE option choices, to support their discovery we invite the year group to our careers fair. They identify their interests and begin to consider pathways to support their choices by building on their key competencies.
Students will participate in a Careers Day during Key Stage 3 in the Spring term, where they will be able to spend time focusing on the skills that they have already been taught through our PSHE programme of study. All students will be able to assess how this learning will enable them to be successful with their future career paths.
Year 10 students continue to build on their interests and choices by identifying pathways and opportunities. They consider the debate regarding university and apprenticeships. Learning leaders will continue to inspire students to continue studying their subject area and students will engage in Careers opportunities outside of the classroom. In Year 10, during their Careers Day, students also have the opportunity to participate in a Virtual Work Experience opportunity.
Year 11 continues a full timetable of careers activities. Individual interviews with the team and an independent careers practitioner are offered to every student. There is a full induction programme including transition tasks for students moving into KS5. College talks and opportunities to consider Higher and Further Education are discussed, as well as options such as Apprenticeships.
As students move into KS5, there are many opportunities for students to attend open days and talks on pathways and careers options. The Assembly rota focuses on key skills, life skills, finance – including student finance, application processes including UCAS and interview skills. As part of our ‘Futures Week’ various speakers present at our conference regarding life choices, skills and opportunities. Parents are invited to a further education evening to gain knowledge of the opportunities and the process of application. dents. In addition, Year 12 & Year 13 can complete a week of work experience. Throughout KS5 students are involved in voluntary community and charity work.
LMi - Labour market information
Explore Labour Market information here with information of jobs that might suit different personalities and an opportunity to compare average salaries of different career pathways. There are also lots of other important Labour Market websites and pieces information that can be found through this page.
APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT AND KNOWLEDGE
Our Apprenticeships Guide 2024 is here!
To celebrate the start National Apprenticeship Week, we are launching our brand new Apprenticeships Guide for parents and carers – and it’s free for you to download now. Our new digital guide is packed full of vital information to help you guide your child as they decide whether an apprenticeship could be for them.
Sponsored by the National Audit Office, the fourth edition of our Apprenticeships Guide contains insider insights from employers, interviews with today’s apprentices – and in-depth information about apprenticeship programmes across 17 industries.
The Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools and Colleges Programme has resources for all years, including Sixth Form.
ASK - Free Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge
TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY
Year 7 are being given the opportunity to experience the world of work first-hand by joining a parent, carer or family friend in a place of work for the day on 24th April 2025. All students should have received the relevant forms, a copy of which can be found here:
Could you help us help you? https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/give-an-hour
Could you give an hour? We'd like to invite you to give an hour and make a difference to the future career choices that a young person makes. Our aim is to ensure that our young people leave us with a complete passport of skills, knowledge, attitude and qualifications required by employers.
You could help our students meet Gatsby Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees and 6: Experiences of workplaces. Could you help shape the next generation of employees? Your real life encounters could help our students prepare for the world of work in the following ways:
- Employer talks and assemblies
- CV preparation and mock interviews
- Site visits
- Work shadowing
Please contact Ms Zoe Correa if you are able to support us at Huxlow with employer engagement. z.correa@huxlow.northants.sch.uk
OUR PARTNERS:
South Midlands Career Hub
Our Hub Leads and team of Careers Consultants sit at the heart of the Careers Hub, liaising with over 150 schools and colleges, and 400+ employers and volunteers throughout the South Midlands region.
Our Careers Consultant is Claire Coles and our Industry Champion is Adrian Green.
With this support, we are incredibly fortunate to be able to provide our students with external support and opportunities from industries across all key stages.
https://careershub.southmidlands.org.uk/
UCAS
The UCAS website is full of information for students who are considering university as their next steps - from their initial registration, through to university and course choices and advice on writing their personal statement
The National Citizen Service (NCS)
The National Citizen Service (NCS) is a voluntary personal and social development programme for 16-17 year olds in England and Northern Ireland, funded largely by money from the UK Government. The scheme takes place in the summer or autumn (coinciding with the school holidays) and usually consists of :
- Phase 1 ('Adventure'): Five days at an outdoor activity centre
- Phase 2 ('Discovery'): Work experience and mentoring
- Phase 3 ('Social Action'): Run a local social action project
- Phase 4 ('Celebration'): A special 'graduation' event
Volunteers usually pay £50 each to take part in the scheme, but there are bursaries for those from low-income households.
University of Northampton (UoN)
We work closely with UoN to access a comprehensive suite of activities that support and inspire our young people. The programme informs learners of all ages about the range of opportunities and pathways open when considering higher education. The university supports us with all stages of UCAS and engages with students right down to Y8.
https://www.northampton.ac.uk/more/schools-and-colleges/
National Careers Service
Provides information, advice and guidance to help make decisions on learning, training and work. Use the careers tools to help with choices on careers, training and work. Whatever your situation, there's something to help.
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
The Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools and Colleges programme (ASK)
This programme is funded by the National Apprenticeship Service, part of the Department for Education. The programme is designed to give schools, colleges and other educational establishments across England free support to develop and transform how your students think about apprenticeships.
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/about-ask/
Careers Lead - Ms zoe correa
Email - z.correa@huxlow.northants.sch.uk
Tel - 01933 650496 Ext 1207
careers advisor - Mr Gerard O'Callaghan
Email - g.o'callaghan@huxlow.northants.sch.uk
Our careers information is measured through year group evaluations and monitoring of teaching support. Website information is reviewed each term.
Employer thoughts
‘We had a great time at the Careers Fair at Huxlow Academy. We spoke to plenty of enthusiastic pupils who had not realised all of the paths you can take to end up in our industry. It was also a great opportunity to get their feedback into why nature is important to them.'
'It was also really beneficial linking up with teachers who are interested in our education program and we’re looking forward to seeing how we can work together going forward. We were really looked after at the fair and are looking forward to our next one’
Molly Simpson: Project Support Officer - Communications and Community Engagement Nene Rivers Trust