Careers/WRL

Careers Information, advice and guidance is a very important part of the curriculum.  It provides the link between what we do in school and the student’s next steps into the adult world. 

Staffing:

	Ms J Colledge Our Work Related Learning Manager has over 12 years’ experience delivering careers to students in the east London area.
	Ms Tackney Our careers advisor has worked with both school age and adult clients and has an extensive knowledge of the Job and higher education system in the east London area.

Ms Johnson Ms Johnson is our administrator to whom all admin enquiries should be addressed.

 

Our Work   

Ambitions Survey: We offer pupils a wide range of experiences and activities throughout their time at Walthamstow Academy, many of which will be targeted towards your child’s interests.  At the start of each academic year pupils will be asked to fill in a survey identifying up to 5 areas of work that they are interested in finding out more about.  We then use this information to provide activities and speakers to facilitate their understanding of that type of work. A breakdown of their entitlement at each key stage follows.

Student Entitlement: By the end of Key Stage 3, students will: 

• Know how to use the careers library
• Have found out more about themselves, including their skills and talents, personal qualities, and possibilities for change
• Know how to make decisions, such as choosing GCSE/ BTEC options
• Have learned about equal opportunities
• Have met the Careers & Guidance Co-ordinators and Connexions Advisers
• Have used KUDOS to find out more about the types of work they are suited to and interested in
• Have discovered more about the world of work and the choices they have to make
• Have started the process of action planning

• Had the chance to do a work or voluntary placement
• Used computer resources such as KUDOS and Jobs 4 U to continue to find out more about the types of work in which they are interested
• Received more information about their post-16 options
• Developed an action plan
• Had a guidance interview with Connexions, and help to decide about their next step
• Had information about local colleges
• Had the opportunity to speak to employers and training providers about their prospects for the future

• extended their self-knowledge, career exploration, career management, key and other employability skills
• developed their career capital (e.g. with work experience, voluntary work)
• devised a set of personal criteria to help them identify appropriate routes to their goals
• researched, evaluated, obtained guidance on, chosen and applied for an appropriate opportunity and, if necessary, financial support
• made a back-up plan in case things go better or worse than expected

Speakers Programme

As well as the careers programme, Walthamstow Academy is developing student’s awareness of careers throughout the curriculum. Speakers from different industries regularly come into lessons and assemblies to speak about careers. In the past year we have welcomed employers from Penguin books, Whatif consultants, REED employment and The Training Trust, We are also proud to work with Language ambassadors, The Army, the Brokerage, Merlin and The East London Business Association.

Work Experience:

Students in year 10 have the opportunity to take part in two weeks work experience. The main focus of this is for students to develop their employability skills and consider the importance of communication and team work while in the work place. Students are encouraged to find their own placement in an area of work that interests them; alternatively, they are able to choose from a database of employers provided by Waltham Forest Education Business Partnership (EBP).

Careers Information and Advice

Ms Colledge is the Academy Work Related Learning Manager; her office is at the rear of the Learning Resources Centre.   

The Careers Library is in the Learning Resources Centre at the far end and comprises books, magazines and leaflets which are available for reference.

The Academy VLE has a Work Related Learning Section where students can find information on a wide range of topics as well as how to access Kudos and Careers4u TV which are subscribed to by the WRL department for the use of all Academy staff and students. 

The Academy also has a Careers Advisor, Gwendoline Tackney, who works in school on Mondays and Tuesdays. She is able to help and advise pupils on

• Careers advice
• Part time work and CV writing
• Volunteering opportunities
• Getting involved in activities outside of school such as youth clubs, drama or sports
• Student finance

Ms Tackney can be found in the Connexions office opposite the 6th form centre.  She holds a drop in session on Monday and Tuesday where you can pop in without an appointment.

Progression Routes

One of the most important things for students and parents to understand is the routes of progression for young people today. This can often be very confusing; however, the simple diagram below sets out all the routes to HE from Entry Level  

We hope that you find this information helpful, however,  If you require any further help, advice or information please feel free to contact us on the email addresses provided.  We will do our utmost to reply as soon as practical

Further Information, Help and/or Advice please contact

janet.colledge@walthamstow-academy.org Work Related Learning Manager

Gwendoline.tackney@walthamstow-academy.org Careers Advisor