Careers & Transition

It is our aim for every student to complete Year 11, prepared for life in the rreal world. The Careers programme is created to enhance students’ prospects, encouraging them to contribute to their communities and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of further education, training and working life. 

A programme of careers education, information and guidance is delivered to students from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4 providing opportunities to experience the world of work, contact with employers and local further and higher education providers. High quality, independent careers guidance is also delivered to every young person before finishing the end of KS4, which is crucial in helping our students emerge from school more fully rounded and ready for the world of work therefore it is our intention to ensure that our students are well informed when making career decisions.

At Horizons Academy, we work within a clear framework which aims to meet statutory requirements whilst we constantly evolve our Careers Delivery Plan in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks, enhancing student’s prospects, encouraging them to contribute to their communities and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of further education, training and working life to reduce their risk of becoming NEET. Students are supported as they make their applications to colleges, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, Sixth Forms and Post-16 options.

Our delivery is underpinned by the Department for Education Careers guidance and access for education and training providers and is compliant with the careers guidance set out by the Government for delivery: ‘Careers Guidance and Inspiration for young people in schools’, which states all schools must give education and training providers the opportunity to talk to students about approved technical qualifications and apprenticeships. 

Horizons Academy work with providers in order to identify the most effective opportunity for students and share information around the education and training opportunities locally and nationally.

Appendix 1 within the Careers Policy outlines the way in which education and training providers should get in touch with us in order to gain access to pupils and/or parents to inform them about further opportunities This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

Please click here for the Horizons Careers delivery plan.

Horizons Academy Careers Lead:

Amie Power 

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Tel: 02083122746 Ext:223

• Destination Data

  	Total Students
  Your own sixth form	n/a
  Other sixth Form school	0
  LSEC Bromley	5
  LSEC Bexley	7
  Shooters Hill College	9
  North Kent College	0
  Other	0
  Traineeship	1
  Apprenticeship	1
  Employment	0
  	Total: 23

     

• Post Statutory Tracking and Support Service

  Due to the changes in Government legislation to raise the participation age to 18 years, the Careers and Transition team also support and track our school leavers through guidance, support and the monitoring of placement progress in partnership with students, parents, colleges, and local providers underpinned by mutual consent to share relevant information.

  We also work in liaison with support services and agencies such the Youth Offending Team, CSC, Porchlight, St Giles and more, in relation to those most at risk of or who have become NEET. All work with post statutory students adheres to the expectations outlined in the Academies Safeguarding Policy and as such all safeguarding concerns are responded to accordingly.

  Students are tracked and supported for two years once they have completed their education at one for our academies. In the third year students remain to be tracked however, the support level is reduced and is available upon students request.

  Post Statutory - Year 1 (School year 12) support service		Post Statutory - Year 2 (School year 13) support service		Post Statutory - Year 3 (School year 14) support service
  Young people that are EET (in Education, employment or training)	Young people that are NEET (not in Education, employment or training)	Young people that are EET (in Education, employment or training)	Young people that are NEET (not in Education, employment or training)	Young people that are EET (in Education, employment or training)	Young people that are NEET (not in Education, employment or training)
  Termly (6 terms) calls / emails to confirm destination and progress. Home visits will be undertaken if no contact is made via telephone or email. Professional 1:1 support advice and guidance meetings available upon request. Communication with professionals when required	Termly (6 terms) calls / emails to confirm destination and progress. Home visits will be undertaken if no contact is made via telephone or email. Professional 1:1 support advice and guidance meetings available upon request Communication with professionals when required Regular contact to support student needs Support with signposting and referrals to suitable education or training providers	Calls / emails to confirm destination and progression Terms 1, 3 and 5. Home visits will be undertaken if no contact is made via telephone or email. Professional 1:1 support advice and guidance meetings available upon request Communication with professionals when required	Termly (6 terms) calls / emails to confirm destination and progress. Home visits will be undertaken if no contact is made via telephone or email. Professional 1:1 support advice and guidance meetings offered with the community Communication with professionals when required Regular contact to support student needs Support with signposting and referrals to suitable education or training providers	Calls / emails to confirm destination and progress between Terms 1 ands 2 (Sept - Dec). Home visits will be undertaken if no contact is made via telephone or email. Professional 1:1 support advice and guidance meetings available upon request.	Calls / emails to confirm destination and progress between Terms 1 ands 2 (Sept - Dec). Home visits will be undertaken if no contact is made via telephone or email. Professional 1:1 support advice and guidance meetings available upon request.

     

• Pupil zone

  If you’re in Year 11, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to do after you leave school. Explore your options here.

  What you can do after Year 11 depends on things like where you live, what kind of grades you’re likely to get, what you’re interested in and what kind of environment you want to learn in. Often, the choice is between sixth form, college, an apprenticeship or a training provider.

  So far your education has probably been set out for you – from primary to secondary school. You have most-likely not had to think about ‘what next’ – but now you’re expected to know what you want to do?

  First – don’t panic! You may feel that this is the most important decision of your life, but it isn’t a final choice for example; if you choose to go to college but find an opportunity within an apprenticeship it is ok to change you mind and move onto the apprenticeship in order to progress.

  Of course, you want to get it right if you can, so doing some research into your choices is always going to help with making the right choice for you. Try to ignore what your friends are doing (at least just for a moment) and focus on what you want to achieve for yourself. Of course, asking advice and talking to your friends can help, but ultimately it is a matter of what is best for you. The careers and transition team will help you with exploring your options and interests and submitting applications.

  Colleges

  Colleges are separate from schools, so everyone turns up on their first day as a new student. Colleges tend to offer A levels, NVQs, Diplomas and Foundation Learning. Sometimes colleges specialise; for example you might have an agricultural college that does farming and animal care related courses, or a catering college that specialises in cookery courses.

  Traineeships

  Traineeships are designed help young people who want to get an apprenticeship or job but don’t yet have appropriate skills or experience.

  Traineeships are an ideal opportunity for young people, aged 16 to 24, who are motivated to get a job but lack the skills and experience that employers are looking for.

  Those who have been unsuccessful when applying for an apprenticeship or other job due to a lack of skills and experience are most likely be good candidates for a traineeship.

  Apprenticeships

  With an apprenticeship, you would be working for an employer, earning a wage (at least £2.73 per hour in summer 2015), and studying for a qualification (often an NVQ) at the same time. You would be linked with a college or training provider to make sure you get all of your work done for your qualification.

  An apprenticeship offers an alternative path into employment. Sure, it hasn’t got the academic edge of going to university, but an apprenticeship should leave you more prepared for the workplace – which is the final destination anyway! An apprenticeship will teach you a skill or trade, while offering on-the-job experience and a pay-packet. There are a surprisingly wide range of apprenticeships available to search now in a variety of job sectors.

  Sixth forms

  Sixth forms are often attached to a school. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. If it’s the school you’ve already been at for a few years, you’ll feel comfortable and know your way around. Some people can find attending a completely new school a bit scary because lots of people there will already know each other. Sometimes sixth forms are completely separate from any other schools, and teach students from lots of different places.

  What grades do you need?

  The table below shows the different qualification levels. Often, to get onto a course at a particular level, you will need to have already achieved the level below the one you’re applying for. For example, to get onto a Level 2 National Diploma you will often be asked to have some GCSEs at grades D-F. This is why teachers and parents nag you to work hard and get the highest grades you can! The higher the GCSE grades, the higher the level of course you can start on.

  There are some courses where, even if you get A*s, you will still need to start on Level 1 or Level 2. This is often the case for courses teaching practical skills that you don’t learn in your GCSE lessons, like hairdressing, construction, catering and animal care.

  Levels	Requirements	Next Step
  Entry Level	No qualifications requried	Progress to Level 1 College Traineeship
  Level 1	Functional Skills Level 1 Maths & English GCSE 4-1 (D-G) NVQ Level 1 Certificates / Awards GNVQ Foundation	Progress to Level 2 College Traineeship Low paid employment
  Level 2	Functional SKills Level 2 Maths & English GCSE 9-5 (A-C) BTEC Diploma L2 CACHE Certificate NVQ Level 2	Progress to Level 3 College Sixth Form A Levels Employment Intermediate Apprenticeship
  Level 3	A Level BTEC Diploma Level 3 CACHE Certificate Level 3	Progress to Level 4 University Advanced Apprenticeship Employment

  • College 
  • • London South East Colleges https://www.lsec.ac.uk/ 
    • Shooters Hill Sixth Form College https://www.shc.ac.uk/ 
    • North Kent College https://www.northkent.ac.uk/ 
    • Lewisham College https://www.lewisham.ac.uk/ 

   

  • Traineeship -https://www.gov.uk/find-traineeship 
  • Apprenticeships - https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
  • Ask Apprenticeships - https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers/ask-programme-resources
  • Amazing Apprenticeships – https://amazingapprenticeships.com/about-ask/
  • Sixth Forms - https://www.bexley.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-11/Bexley-post-16-directory-2022-2023.pdf 
  • Online Career Coach - https://lsec.emsicc.com/?radius=&region=LSEC%20College%20area%20 
  • Independent career guidance - https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

   

  Financial Support - As a 16 to 19 year old student you may be able to get help with money.  

  There are two types of 16 to 19 bursary:

  Vulnerable student bursary

  You could get a bursary worth up to £1,200, depending on your circumstances. This group includes: 

  • People in care
  • Care leavers
  • People claiming income support 
  • Disabled young people who receive Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance

  Discretionary bursary 
  You could get a discretionary bursary if you need financial help but don’t qualify for a vulnerable student bursary. Your education or training provider decides how much you get and what it’s used for. 

  How is your bursary paid? 
  Your education or training provider will decide how you get your bursary. You might be: 

  • Paid in full or in instalments 
  • Paid in cash, by cheque or through a bank account 
  • Given things like a travel pass, free meals or books instead of money 

  Some providers also offer one off payments to cover study trips or travel for university interviews. 

  Your provider will set conditions that students should meet to receive a bursary, for example, linked to behaviour or attendance and your bursary can be stopped if you break the rules. For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-bursary-fundguide-2021-to-2022-academic-year

  Benefits
  The general rule on benefits is that if you are under 18 you cannot make a claim for any benefits. Your parent/carers will still get child benefit or other benefits they already receive as long as you are under 19 and in full time education. 

  If you are not in suitable education, their child benefit may be stopped.

  If you are living away from your parent/carers out of necessity, or have a family to support, you may be able to make a claim. 

  For more information contact your local Jobcentre Plus office. 

  Travel Support
  If you are in full time learning you can apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster card. There is a fee of £20.00 and you will need a colour digital photo and an e-mail address. To apply online and for more information go to https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/travel-forunder-18s/zip-oyster-photocards  or visit your local post office.

   

• Careers in the Curriuculum

  Each subject to link to following pages:

  Maths - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subject/maths

  English - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subject/english

  Science - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subject/science

  ICT - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subject/computing

  Art - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subject/art

  Food Tech - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subject/food-gcse-only

  Hair & Beauty - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/hair/job-profile/hairdresser

  Physical Education - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subject/pe

  Construction - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/on-site/job-profiles

  EXPLORE further careers here - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors

  Linking Careers to Curriculum Resources - https://resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk/my-learning-my-future

     

• Parents & Carers

  Parent/Carer checklist

  It's a time when your children are discovering their own independence, taking more responsibility for themselves and their actions, and making some big decisions.

  • Encourage your child to research their options
  • Check the dates of Post-16 & college open events and put them in your diary
  • Encourage your child to discuss their options with their school’s careers and transition team, or contact the National Careers Service
  • Ensure application forms are completed and submitted on time, sixth form and college applications typically open in October
  • If your child is interested in an apprenticeship or traineeship get them to register with the National Apprenticeship Service – a number of larger companies advertise their apprenticeship opportunities for school leavers between November and February
  • Sign-up for the London Borough of Bexley’s Jobs & Opportunities for Young People Newsletter to receive information and inspiration on post-16 opportunities, and encourage your son or daughter to do the same
  • If you are worried about finances contact sixth forms, colleges and training providers and ask about the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
  • Support your child to develop a back-up plan, just in case

   

  Useful links –

  • Talking Futures -  https://www.talkingfutures.org.uk/
  • Bexley’s local offer - https://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Services/category/272

     

• Teaching Resources and delivery plan

  Quick links to resources supporting the delivery of careers within your lessons:

  Exploring Job Roles / LMI | National Careers Service

  Finance / Money | Barclays Life Skills

  Real Life Videos | BBC Bitesize Careers

  Teaching Resources | My World of Work

  LMI / Real Life Stories / Resources | icould.com

  BTEC Workskills Qualification | Pearsons BTEC Workskills Qualification

  Careers & Enterprise Resource Directory - https://resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk/browse-category/gatsby-benchmarks/gatsby-benchmark-4

  https://www.careershub-east.london/page/opportunities

  Discover Creative Careers - https://discovercreative.careers/teachers-career-leaders/

    

• Useful Links

  Advice & Guidance | National Careers Service - Bexley Jobs and Careers - UCAS Further Education

  Colleges | London South East Colleges - Shooter Hill College - North Kent College - Hadlow College

  Training providers | Middleton Murray - Learning & Enterprise College Bexley

  Apprenticeships | Bexley Apprenticeship Service - National Apprenticeship Service - Bexley for Business

  University Finders | The Complete University Guide - Which? University