Our Vision

Aylward Academy is committed to providing Careers Education, Information Advice and Guidance to all students through our bespoke curriculum which aligns with the Aylward Learning Journey. The Gatsby National Good Career Guidance Benchmarks underpin our strategic objectives to deliver, monitor and evaluate our programme offer ensuring quality assurance and continuous improvement to meet the needs of all students as well as parents, carers, staff and external stakeholders.

Our Mission

• To provide a planned programme of careers education, information and guidance through the Gatsby Benchmark framework including organised activities for all students delivered in partnership with employers, businesses and external providers.

• Ensure all students are supported to leave the Academy with the skills and knowledge required to access and secure appropriate education, employment and training, evidenced by a confirmed and recognised destination.

• To support character development through the Aylward Attributes (Respect, Collaboration, Creativity, Resilience, Independence, Professionalism) including opportunities to reflect on strengths and areas for development to inform future learning and work choices and develop positive self-esteem.

• To embed careers into the curriculum providing subject links to professions and sectors enabling students to understand the importance of their studies and how they will help in achieving their future career aspirations.

• To promote parent/carer involvement through events, forums and access to information throughout the year.

• Provide opportunities for careers exploration, independent learning and research through the provision of a wide range of resources including the U-Explore Start online careers platform.

• Provide experience of work places and employers through work experience, employer presentations, career fairs and workshops.

• To support student understanding of Labour Market Information including the changing nature of work, learning and career choices; including the full range of post-16 education or training options, including apprenticeship and technical training routes.

Stragtegic Objectives

1. Embed careers into the curriculum linking subjects/classroom learning to professions and sectors

2. Deliver an aspirational Careers programme using the Gatsby Benchmarks framework which meets the needs of all and actively involves parents, carers and staff.

3. To monitor the effectiveness of the careers programme for students including focus groups (HAP, MAP, LAP. SEN etc.)

We are keen to engage with businesses and organisations that can assist us in providing the highest quality careers education programme for our students. If you would like to explore working in partnership with us or offering opportunities to our students or the academy, please contact Ms D Hooper on dhooper@aylwardacademy.org who is the Careers Lead within Aylward Academy.

U-Explore Start is a online Careers Information and Guidance tool. By working through modules it will enable you to:

• Make decisions at key moments of choice

• Explore Careers

• Explore Employers

• Understand qualifications, skills and qualities required for Careers

• Learn what you are best suited to

• Discover the right pathway/s for you and the steps you must take to achieve and get there

• Develop skills so that you have lots of value to offer in the world of work after school/studying

• Build a personal profile

• Learn about Labour Market Information – current demand and competition for jobs in your chosen sector/location