This evening we held our Careers Convention at the Academy. We had over 50 providers on site, to inspire and talk to students and their families about careers and future pathways. These providers included further and higher education providers, and employers representing construction, engineering, manufacturing, business, law, finance, digital, health, social care, the Armed Forces, automotive, property, veterinary, catering and many more!

This was a great event, but it is really the tip of the iceberg in terms of our careers education programme. At Churchill we develop the skills, character and experience that students need to succeed in later life and make a positive difference to our society. Surrounding our curriculum, extra-curricular activities, behaviour system and our pastoral care are core values of kindness, curiosity and determination that help to develop our students, along with their families and the wider community, into the citizens of tomorrow.

These elements of character education are intrinsically linked with career readiness. In addition to this network of personal development there are explicit events, activities and programmes that provide the ‘lightbulb’ moments for our students. Over the course of seven years, from Year 7 to 13, there is a wide range of activities, events and core skills that knit our Careers Programme together.

These events include our Careers Convention but also our World of Work Day for Year 10, Careers to Curriculum Day for Year 9, and work experience weeks for students in Year 10 and the Sixth Form.

As well as these events, careers learning is embedded across our curriculum from Years 7 to 13. This happens through explicit links to career choices, through the development of skills that are needed for a student’s future and the breadth of wider curriculum opportunities available. All subjects teach how their subjects lead to different career pathways, supported by the PSHE and pastoral programmes.

All students have access to our qualified and independent careers advisor, Suzie McGonigal. Suzie’s background is in industry, including BUPA, Capita, working with private and public sector clients in the healthcare, retail, construction and transport sectors. As an ex Clubman rally driver and a horse rider, she can usually find something of interest to connect with our students!

To find out more about Careers Education at Churchill, visit our website.