Careers Team

Our Careers Key Staff are listed below:

Clair Edwards - Principal

[email protected]

Michael Cartwright - Careers Lead

[email protected]

Mark Brown - Careers In Curriculum Lead

[email protected]

Pauliana Mofford - Careers Events and Trips

[email protected]

Darren Townsend - Linked Governor

[email protected]


Personal Careers Guidance

All students will have a personal guidance interview with an external and impartial qualified Level 6 careers advisor in the first two terms of Year 11, timed accordingly to meet their need. If you child needs an appointment before this time, please email the careers team [email protected] to make a booking.

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Careers Vision

Whitelands Academy strives to provide students with inspirational, achievable and current information, advice and guidance to allow individuals to make informed choices for their future.

We achieve this by using interactive careers guidance and utilising a wide range of resources that are flexible and inclusive. We provide each individual with the information, key skills, analysis and positivity to enable them to pursue their aspirations. We are committed to nurturing their interests, excitement and creativity and strive to give impartial encouraging advice.


Gatsby Benchmarks

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of 8 guidelines that define the best careers provision in secondary schools.

Whitelands Academy is committed to meeting all of the Gatsby Benchmarks; working in collaboration with Careers Enterprise Company.

We intend to provide a bespoke, robust, dynamic and creative careers programme to every individual by implementing the information and resources into curriculum and extracurricular activities. We ensure that every individual is provided with all the careers information, advice and guidance to make a positive impact on their future.

1. A stable careers programme

Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers and employers.

2. Learning from career and labour market information

Every pupil, and their parents, should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. they will need the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of available information.

3. Addressing the needs of each pupil

Pupils have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each pupil. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. For examples, STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of career paths.

5. Encounters with employers and employees

Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.

6. Experiences of workplaces

Every pupil should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.

7. Encounters with further and higher education

All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. this includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.

8. Personal guidance

Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs.


Careers Policies

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Work Experience

A rite of passage for students in year 10, work experience enables students to gain skills in a real-world work environment. As well as providing an opportunity for experience to be put on their CV, work experience placements help students to develop their professionalism, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving abilities. Students at Whitelands Academy will be given the opportunity to partake in work experience during year 10.


Events

Apprenticeships Webinar for Parents/Carers

https://careersliveuk.com/partner/oxfordshire-careers-hub

With National Apprenticeship week taking place next week, LearnLive are running an apprenticeships awareness broadcast (students are encouraged to attend too!) on 6th February 2024 from 18:00-19:00.

Parents/carers will be able to hear an overview of apprenticeships, watch Oxfordshire apprentices talking about their experiences, hear the employer perspective and ask any questions via live chat.

After the webinar, there will be an opportunity to chat with employers who offer apprenticeships via our Find Your Future virtual careers platform - https://oxlepskills.co.uk/findyourfuture


City of Oxford College Open Evening

https://oxford.activatelearning.ac.uk/events/detail/oxford-blackbird-leys-technology-campus-spring-open-event

City of Oxford College are holding an open evening on 21st February from 16:30-19:30 at their Blackbird Leys Technology Campus. Students will have the opportunity to tour the facilities, meet the team and find out about the construction and IT courses on offer.

 

 

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ACE Training Open Morning

https://oxme.info/events/ace-training-open-morning

ACE Training are holding an open morning on 24th February from 10:00-12:00 at their centre in Kidlington. Students will have the opportunity to tour the facilities, meet the team and find out about the range of courses available. Download a flyer.

 

 

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Bicester Construction Skills Centre

https://abingdon-witney.ac.uk/events/open-day-february-bicester

Abingdon & Witney College are holding an open event at their Bicester Construction Skills Centre on 28th February from 16:00-19:00. Students will be able to tour the facilities, meet course tutors and find out about the courses and apprenticeships on offer at the centre.

 

 

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Careers at Bicester Village

https://careers-bicester.icims.com/connect?eventId=193814

Bicester Village are holding a careers fair in their management offices on 2nd March (10:00-13:00 and 15:00-17:00) and 3rd March from 12:00-16:00. The event is for students looking for seasonal or part time work and/or a career in retail and hospitality to meet with recruiting employers.

 

 

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NHS Careers & Apprenticeships

Download a poster

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are holding a careers cafe and apprenticeship recruitment event for Year 10-13 students on 4th March from 16:00-18:30 at the John Radcliffe Hospital. They can meet a range of healthcare professionals, including apprentices, take part in interactive practical sessions and attend an apprenticeship talk at 16:30 or 17:30.

 


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