CAREERS
CAREERS AT SIR THOMAS WHARTON ACADEMY
POLICY FOR CAREERS, EDUCATION, INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (CEIAG)
CURRICULUM INTENT
Social mobility matters both in terms of people and in delivering economic growth. The world economy is changing, and it is through education, skills and training from the early years into adulthood that we will make sure no one is left behind – delivering a modern country that is globally competitive and fit for the future. We at Sir Thomas Wharton Academy want to ensure that our young people will also be given the opportunity to enhance their life skills, which will not only increase educational success but will support them to go as far as their talents and aspirations will take them.
Sir Thomas Wharton Academy is committed to providing our students with a programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) for all students in Years 7-13 that will inspire and motivate them from an early age. We will support our students in making well-informed choices about subjects and careers for their future.
Sir Thomas Wharton Academy’s Careers Education and Guidance policy is delivered with the following intent:
- To ensure that all students experience at least four high-quality career interactions during their career at Sir Thomas Wharton Academy
- To contribute to strategies for raising achievement, especially by increasing motivation and aspiration from an early age
- To ensure that 100% of students identify progression routes and next steps in their education and/or training
- To give students opportunities to experience Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths input from professionals in their field in order to inform long-term career decisions
- To prepare all students (including SEND) for independence, or supported independence, to equip these young people for further study
- To support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity
- To encourage participation in continued learning, including higher education and further education.
- To develop enterprise and employment skills in order to prepare students for life-long learning
- To reduce drop out from and course switching in education and training
- To contribute to the economic prosperity of individuals and communities
- To meet the needs of all our students through appropriate differentiation
- To focus students on their future aspirations
- To involve parents and carers as much as possible.
STUDENT STATEMENT OF ENTITLEMENT
As a student at Sir Thomas Wharton Academy, you are entitled to receive a programme of careers education, advice, information and guidance.
The information on the careers section of the website will be reviewed each term. The date of the next review is January 2026.
YOUR CEIAG PROGRAMME WILL HELP YOU TO:
- Understand yourself, your interests, likes and dislikes, what you are good at and how this affects the choices you make.
- Find out about different courses, what qualifications you might need and what opportunities there might be.
- Develop the skills you may need for working life.
- Make realistic but ambitious choices about courses and jobs.
- Develop a plan for the future.
- Understand the different routes after Y11, including academic routes, vocational training, apprenticeships, further and higher education and jobs.
- Provide high quality CVs for job applications.
- Be able to make effective applications for jobs, training and further and higher education.
- Develop your interview skills.
- Improve your confidence.
YOU WILL RECEIVE:
- Careers lessons.
- Drop down day activities linked to employers and providers often with a focus on STEM industries.
- Guided tutor time.
- Help with CVs and interview skills to prepare you for the world of work.
- Access to the careers section in the academy library – information is available in books, leaflets and on a computer – ask for help.
- Access to Unifrog to further support at home and in school.
- Interviews with the Careers Personal Advisor.
- Other subject lessons linked to careers.
YOU CAN EXPECT TO BE:
- Treated equally with others.
- Given career information and advice that is up to date and impartial.
- Treated with respect by visitors to the academy who are part of the careers programme.
- Given extra help if you have special needs.
- Given mentoring and support for those who need it most and at risk of becoming NEET to help build the confidence and character needed to ensure a successful career.
STUDENT ACCESS TO CAREERS EDUCATION, INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE
Careers education is provided for all students and provision is made to allow all students to access the curriculum. Students are encouraged to follow career paths that suit their interests, skills and strengths with the absence of stereotypes. All students are provided with the same opportunities and diversity is celebrated. The Careers Programme offers a well balanced diet of provision, including careers education sessions, careers guidance activities (group work and individual interviews), information and research activities, work related learning and individual learning activities, as well as organised drop-down days with external providers and visits to local industries and businesses. Furthermore careers lessons are also part of the school's Life skills and Character Education Programme. More details of which can be found in the policies and programmes sections of this page.
We have direct links with the Doncaster Careers Hub (Mrs Julie Hussay and Mrs Danielle Timms), Polypipe the Academies Business Enterprise Adviser ( Ms Leah Ryder and Jazz Jones) and are supported by a wide range of other local employers as seen on our employer page.
At Sir Thomas Wharton we are proud to be recognised for our excellence in careers guidance and advice. The Academy achieved The Quality in Careers Standard in 2023, demonstrating the success and quality of provision available and will be undergoing new accreditation in academic year 2026.
YEAR 7
The focus is about introducing careers and thinking about the vast number of careers/jobs available, including an introduction to STEM career paths.
YEAR 8
The focus is linking our plans and dreams to reality. Students use an online programme to research a variety of careers to enable them to make informed choices during the options process and beyond in to Post 16. There is another opportunity to experience an input from a STEM ambassador.
YEAR 9
The focus is self-assessment, career paths and producing a Career Action Plan while being given the opportunity to access discussion with a variety of employers.
YEAR 10
The focus is local labour market information, employer visits and job choices.
YEAR 11
The focus is Post 16 options and the application process, one to one careers advice and guidance and mock employer interviews to develop student skills so they can apply for further education and careers successfully.
YEAR 12
The focus is developing skills through structured work placement and a work related learning programme, as well as understanding Post 18 options. Further details can be found here CEIAG Post 16
YEAR 13
The focus is Post 18 application processes and preparation for transition to HE and work based learning. CEIAG Post 16
RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT PROVISION
Our range of activities include:
- Access to a range of careers providers to deliver specific sessions and assemblies to the students.
- Access to a Careers Hub to share good practice allows easy contact with local businesses in order to build relationships and support local growth.
- Subscription to Unifrog for all years to support knowledge, learning and expansion of natural curiosity.
- Opportunity for students to encounter a range of business structures, both local and national.
- Use of a fully embedded RONI system tracker to ensure all students are given equal opportunity to access careers provision.
- The compass tool enables the Academy to track against the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring a high-quality provision is available across all year groups that is fit for purpose.
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Regular contact with a Local Authority Careers Consultants.
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A full time fully qualified Careers Advisor for specialist targeted support.
- Access to the most up-to-date Careers Lead training and accreditation.
- A wide range of student events.
CONTACT US
The Careers Lead, alongside the Associate Principal, are responsible for the effective deployment of those resources. If you would like to speak to a member of the Careers team, please call (01709) 864100 ext 6997 or alternatively, email e.pickering@stwacademy.com