All Saints Academy hosted a careers fayre on Wednesday 27th November. All year 11 students were invited to attend along with their parents/carers, and this was well attended with over half of the cohort attending. The event began with the Careers Lead introducing the evening providing an oversight of the variety of post 16 pathways that were available to students i.e. 6th form and FE colleges, HE establishments, employment and apprenticeship courses. There were important updates on the introduction of Technical Level awards and also changes to the apprenticeship program.
Parent and carers were also made aware of the school careers webpage and some of the links that were accessible to support careers provision. There was also an introduction letter given to all parent/carers to provide information about the START profile careers tool, and how parent/carers can use this to support their child in making career choices but also informing that they were able to use this themselves to research careers and courses etc.
Following the completion of the presentation the students and parent/carers were able to access a range of providers who were in attendance including post 16 colleges and FE providers who were well represented (Askham Bryan, Conyers, Egglescliffe, Stockton VI form, Bede College, Stockton Riverside, Queen Elizabeth VI form and Middlesbrough college) Technical providers (NETA & TTE) as well as Teesside University. Apprenticeship and employment providers were also out in force with Stockton Council, Cummins, Yorkshire Bank, ITS , Careers at Sea, the RAF and Army also sending representatives. The NCS and Little League Sports were also in attendance to provide students with gap year/life skill development opportunities.
Feedback from students and parent/carers was very positive with numerous comments regarding the diversity of the post 16 providers and that a lot of information and guidance was gathered to support students with post 16 choices. Feedback from post 16 providers was also positive with many providers indicating that they had access to a large number of students within the year group and that many meaningful discussions were had and overall the evening was judged a success.
Gatsby Benchmarks
Gatsby Benchmarks 1 – The careers fayres are embedded into the Academy careers action plan and allow Y11 students, parent/carers and employers an opportunity to engage and seek post 16/careers advice.
Gatsby Benchmarks 2 – Employers are invited in to attend the career fayre and learn about employment/apprenticeship opportunities offered in a number of employment sectors
Gatsby Benchmarks 3 – Students are able to access post 16/18 and a range of employers/apprenticeship providers allowing them to access their individual areas of interest and find information relating to specific career pathways.
Gatsby Benchmarks 5 – Employers from a variety of career sectors were in attendance allowing students opportunities to learn about specific carers, job role, skills and qualities needed to be successful in those areas.
Gatsby Benchmarks 7 – Post 16/18 from a variety of establishment were in attendance allowing students opportunities to learn about specific courses, qualifications, skills and qualities needed to be successful in those areas.
Gatsby Benchmarks 8 – Representatives from a range of career guidance services including Youth Directions, Stockton Borough Council, National Citizenship Service were also in attendance to again offer support, guidance and advice to students.
141 Year 11 students were invited to attend, 87 students (along with Parent/carers) attended and the event was very successful.
Student and Parent/Carer feedback was very positive as the event:
“Allowed us to access a range of 6th form and FE colleges over one evening rather than having to attend lots of individual open evenings.”
“An informative evening with some new information about post 16 provision and apprenticeship programmes, didn’t know anything about the Technical qualifications until this evening.”
“I was unsure what course I want to do when I leave All Saints but I have now got a better idea about what and where I want to study.”
“I thought I was going to go to college but now I am keen to find out more about apprenticeships and how to find an apprenticeship provider.”
Feedback from college providers was also positive:
“I just wanted to say I have attended several careers fayres this academic year and previously in another area and last night’s was the best by far. Congratulations on a very productive evening. I am sure your students appreciate the hard work that went into organising the event. Feel free to pass this email onto your Head teacher as the evening was a huge success and that is largely down to your fantastic students and your hard work and dedication.”
“Thank you for organising this event – the conversation we had with All Saints students was very positive and we enjoyed the evening immensely.”
“A great evening – we had lots of interest regarding our courses and hope to welcome a lot of your students to Middlesbrough College in the September of 2020.”
