Careers Education

Bridgwater College Academy aims to develop ambition, character and pride of our students. Through our careers education programme we seek to maximise the life chances of all our young people for life beyond school and college through promotion of aspiration and achievement for all.

As an all through academy a key feature of the Careers Programme will be to raise students’ awareness of the opportunities available to them in order to raise aspiration and prepare them for their career journey at all key stages throughout the BCA school experience/career.

At Bridgwater College Academy we are committed to providing students with opportunities to have meaningful encounters with a range of employers during their school career. These opportunities allow our students to develop their employability skills, raise aspirations and have a thorough understanding of the various industries and educational paths available to them.

Our aim is to ensure that all our students are well equipped to achieve their personal best. In careers education this means that every student needs to be supported in making the best possible choices for their own progression. We support our students in making well-informed decisions by providing access to independent information and guidance about a range of options which include academic, vocational and apprenticeship routes which allow them to achieve their ambitions.

Our careers strategy is shaped by the 8 Gatsby benchmarks outlined in Professor Sir John Holman’s report as the key elements of high quality practice:

A stable careers programme
Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
Addressing the needs of each pupil
Linking curriculum learning to careers
Encounters with employers and employees
Experience of workplaces
Encounters with further and higher education
Personal guidance

The school will assess the impact of its careers programmes on students by completing an annual student survey and analysing destinations data in line with activities that they have taken part in at school. In addition, the views of students and parents will be surveyed after key events which are run at the school.

BCA Provider Access Policy

BCA CEIAG Strategy

Careers Explored Curriculum Map

Student & Parent Padlet

Careers Team

Nicola Spicer

Deputy Headteacher/BCA Careers Education Coordinator

Mrs N James

Careers Advisor

Email: JAMESN@btc.ac.uk

Useful links:

Links for Students:

Careerpilot

https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/ - comprehensive information on the jobs market in the South-West. Contains information on the main employment sectors, including the number of people working in that sector and whether the number is projected to increase or fall. In addition, information on job salaries, relevant subject areas, top employers and types of apprenticeships.

National Careers Service (NCS)

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ - a comprehensive website with job profiles, outlining the skills required, main tasks, pay levels and career prospects for hundreds of different jobs. In addition, valuable guidance on the different stages involved in getting a job.

Get in Go Far

https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/get-go-far/ - a website for anyone wanting to know about apprenticeships. This website has a search facility for job specific apprenticeships in a particular area.

Icould

https://icould.com/ - helpful videos about a wide range of job roles.

Next Steps South West (NSSW)

https://nextstepssw.ac.uk/

LinkedIn

Bridgwater College Academy | LinkedIn

Parent Link:

https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/parent-zone

Student Links:

https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/login

Former Students/Alumni:

https://forms.office.com/e/7380BvuYzQ