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Careers

Careers

The careers education, information and guidance programme is designed to meet the needs of each and every learner at St Augustine Academy. It is differentiated to ensure progression through activities that are appropriate to our learners’ stages of career learning, planning and development.

Careers 

For more information or assistance, please contact: 

Careers Lead:  Keeley James  KJames@saa.woodard.co.uk

Careers Adviser:  Juliet Salmon jsalmon@saa.woodard.co.uk

Departmental email / telephone: careers@saa.woodard.co.uk or phone on 01622 752490.

Enterprise Coordinator – Louise Rochford louise.rochford@theeducationpeople.org  Kent and Medway Careers Hub

Careers image

St Augustine Academy is committed to providing our students with a programme of careers education, advice and guidance (CEIAG) for all students in years 7 to 11. We believe that a strong and cohesive careers programme allows all students to increase their aspirations, and make sensible and ambitious choices regarding their post-16.

By the time students leave us, they will have been exposed to the various options regarding academic or vocational pathways. All students will be given the opportunity to meet employers, and have different experiences of workplaces.

Our careers leader is Keeley James (kjames@saa.woodard.co.uk) and our careers advisor is Juliet Salmon (jsalmon@saa.woodard.co.uk).  Feel free to contact us if you would like to contribute to our provision of careers guidance, be that by participating in our ‘Careers Fayre’ , by offering work experience placements or through talks, mentoring or assemblies. We are very keen to develop our community around careers, therefore we welcome input from all stakeholders.

Unifrog

Every student has access to the Unifrog website, which allows them to explore jobs, and find out about different educational pathways and qualifications. It also contains live data about local and national trends in different industries. 

Unifrog brings into one place every undergraduate university course, apprenticeship, and college course in the UK, as well as other opportunities This makes it easy for students to compare and choose the best university courses, apprenticeships or further education courses for them. Additionally, the platform helps students successfully apply for these opportunities by helping them to write their personal statements, applications and CVs. 

Students log in using their email address and password and they can do so from any computer, tablet or smartphone. We would encourage parents to use the platform with your child so they can be supported through the process of deciding their next steps. We will also log careers activities that students engage in during their time at the Academy, in order to build a ‘locker’ of careers related experiences.

Additionally, we have set up a parent login so that you can use Unifrog as if you were a student yourself, allowing you to truly support your child. You can sign up here: www.unifrog.org/code. Students can login here.

Alumni

We have a strong alumni programme with many former students returning to share their experience and knowledge with our students. Did you go to SAA?

Careers information for families

We publish a Parental Communication Bulletin  which includes regular information about our careers programme which may include links to Labour Market Information, job opportunities and details of career activities that are going on within the academy. 

Careers Learning Journey

Above is our five year learning journey for all students, mapping out their learning experiences, opportunities and encounters.

Careers Interviews and Progression Support

Each student in year 11 will have a one-to-one interview with a qualified Careers Advisor to discuss their future plans. Students across the academy also have regular conversations with a range of staff regarding their next steps post-Key Stage 3, post-16. We believe that providing the space and time for personalised and informed dialogue is crucial in helping students to navigate the transitions through Key Stages.

Colleges and Further Education Information

Students are given information about the local sixth-form providers and colleges, including the courses on offer and the details of open evenings and entry requirements.

Work Experience

Every student in year 10 gets involved in a week-long work placement and learns about the world of work. Students find a placement which links to their programme of study and complete a work experience journal to reflect on the skills developed and the learning from the process. We have links with a wide range of employers in the local area.

Careers Programme Evaluation

As part of our Careers Leader annual review, we evaluate our assess the impact of our careers programme in the following ways:

  • Destinations data
  • Student and parent voice surveys
  • Student interaction data from Unifrog
  • Termly Compass Benchmark Evaluation against the national Gatsby Benchmarks, which is shared with our local careers and enterprise partners. 
     

This information is reviewed on a regular basis and is formally reviewed annually, as part of our commitment to the ongoing development of our provision. This information will next be formally updated in July 2025.

 

Education PeopleSt Augustine Academy is proud to be working with The Education People’s Specialist Employment Service to embed the supported employment model, adding value across all current careers provision. The contract aims to raise aspirations for SEND students and further enhance schools Careers Information advice and guidance programme. The supported employment in schools contract will help mainstream schools across Kent support SEND students through transition and to prepare them for the world of work and into sustainable careers.

Below are pages dedicated to specific year groups regarding the information that both parents/carers and students need for the milestones the students are reaching in their lives.

Year 9 - Option Choices

Year 10 - Work Experience

Year 11 - Transitioning to Post 16

 

Careers Programme 2022/23 Overview

Careers Programme 2022/23 Overview

 

Year 7

In Year 7 our students…DISCOVER

Students will discover themselves, identifying their strengths, skills, attributes, qualities, weaknesses. Allowing them start applying themselves to begin exploring their future.

How do our students discover?

  • Careers Education Lessons - Skills, Qualities, Post 16 and 18 options.
  • Careers Fair
  • Employer and Apprenticeship Provider Workshops and Interventions
  • Higher & Further Education Encounters
  • Careers Week

 

Year 8

In Year 8 our students…EXPLORE

Students will explore the different opportunities that they have and are able to have throughout their lives. As well as looking at how actions from an early age can impact their employability prospects.

How do our students explore?

  • Careers Education Lessons - Digital Footprint, Career Stereotyping, Labour Market Information, Personal Finance and STEM
  • Careers Fair
  • Employer and Apprenticeship Provider Workshops and Interventions
  • Higher & Further Education Encounters
  • Careers Week

 

Year 9

In Year 9 our students…PATHWAY

Students will take the first steps in their pathways, by starting to choose their Key Stage 4 options. As well as looking at how they can start their employment journey from a young age.

How do our students pathway?

  • Careers Education Lessons - Post 14 options, Employment Rights andPost 18 options.
  • Careers Fair
  • Key Stage 4 Option Guidance Meetings with our Careers Adviser
  • Key Stage 4 Options Evening
  • Employer and Apprenticeship Provider Workshops and Interventions
  • Higher & Further Education Encounters
  • Careers Week

 

Year 10

In Year 10 our students…EXPERIENCE

Students will bring their knowledge together to gain a full experience in a work placement setting at the end of Year 10, whilst preparing themselves for the work that is ahead in Year 11.

How do our students experience?

  • Careers Education Lessons - Citizenship, Volunteering, CVs and Personal Statements, Interview Preparation, Business Etiqutte and Personal Presentation. 
  • Careers Fair
  • Employer and Apprenticeship Provider Workshops and Interventions
  • Work Experience Placement
  • Higher & Further Education Encounters
  • Careers Week

 

Year 11

In Year 11 our students…APPLY

Students will take their experiences and shape them into a pathway for transitioning into Post 16 education. Shaping themselves into model citizens with the tools they need for the world of work.

How do our students apply?

  • Careers Fair
  • Post 16 Options Evening
  • Mock Interviews
  • Careers Guidance and Advice Interviews with our Careers Adviser
  • Careers Focus Day
  • Post 16 Applications via Kent Choices
  • Careers Week
  • Employer and Apprenticeship Provider Workshops and Interventions

Careers Guidance and Advice

St Augustine has a part-time Careers Adviser, Miss Salmon, who is available in school on every day from 8:00am till 3:30pm to meet with all Year 11 students individually.  Additionally, Miss Salmon is available to meet with students from other Year groups by teacher referral or student/parental request.

Miss Salmon will provide support and guidance on:

  • Exploring career options and choices available for students based on individual strengths, interests and abilities.
  • Further education opportunities (college and 6th Form)
  • Apprenticeships, Training Providers and Traineeships
  • Careers Research and local labour market information
  • Interviews, Applications and CV writing


For more detailed information on these topics see the downloads below.

Students should also read ‘My choices after year 11 – an action plan.’ Click here.

Careers Education

In Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students have dedicated lessons on their timetables to Careers Education. These lessons are designed to create and build aspirations within our students and to develop understanding and knowledge to prepare our students for the world of work.

 

You can find out more about our Careers Education lesson via visiting the subject place.

 

Click here to visit the Careers Education subject page

Work Experience

Every year 10 student takes part in the Work Experience programme at St Augustine Academy. It is intended to give students experience of working life and to develop and practise the various skills and attitudes needed in the workplace.

It also provides an opportunity to increase self-confidence, develop personal and social skills and helps to give a focus and relevance to their school studies. In some cases, it may also lead to the offer of a summer or Saturday job or an apprenticeship opportunity.

The whole process from researching placement opportunities to meeting with potential employers and securing a placement is the responsibility of the individual student. However, there is comprehensive support from the Work Experience Co-Ordinator who organises and runs the whole programme from start to finish.

Although the placement takes place at the start of July, the whole process begins in the previous November. It is important for students and parents/carers to realise that the placement does not always have to be linked to a future  career choice. At this stage, many students may not have decided what they may want to do on leaving the Academy but Work Experience can give them valuable help in making these decisions as it gives them a chance to have a ‘taster’ of an area of work.

Getting Involved (Employers and other organisations)

Throughout the year we hold different events for employers, businesses, organisations, training providers, sixth forms, colleges and universities to be a part of. Please be aware that all times and dates are subject to change and we will confirm with you the dates.

  • Careers Evening
  • Mock Interviews with Year 11 students
  • Intervention and mentoring
  • Careers and Business Breakfasts
  • Employers Fair

We also have a bespoke Key Stage 3 Careers Education curriculum, through this we look to offer our students. Again if you would like to provide a course, activity or event to our students please email careers@saa.woodard.co.uk, this would be subject to timetables, dates and times of the Key Stage 3 classes.

 

Universities that we work with to provide our students with oppurtunities of Higher Education:

KMPF      UofK      CCCU      UotCA

Alumni - CALLING ALL FORMER STUDENTS

If you are a former student of St Augustine Academy, we want to hear from you!

Your experiences since leaving could help to motivate and inspire our current students to feel more confident in making decisions about their future. We would love you to join our alumni network and stay connected with the school.

 

You can choose how and when you help – perhaps you can act as a career and education role model, provide work experience, become a mentor in person or online, or help with donations or fundraising.

 

It doesn’t matter when you left us, whether you’re in further education or employment, whether you still live nearby or have moved further away, there are still ways you can help.

In order to sign up, just fill in the online form – we promise it will only take a couple of minutes.

 

Thank you - and we look forward to hearing from you!

 

Please click the link below to open the form and register your interest

Register to join our Alumni group

Provider Access Policy Statement

Provider Access Policy Statement

This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997. A number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school and speak to students.
 

Pupil entitlement

All pupils in years 8-11 are entitled:

  • to find out about technical educational qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of educational and training options available at each transition point;
  • to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including        technical education and apprenticeships
  • to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical      courses.

 

As required by the Provider Access Legislation, the Academy must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education for all their students:  

  • Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend 
  • Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend 
  • Two encounters for pupils during the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the school to put on but optional for pupils to attend 

 

Management of provider access requests

A provider wishing to request access should contact Lewis Muir (Careers and Work Experience Lead) who will then liaise with the appropriate senior leader to consider the request. They need to email: careers@saa.woodard.co.uk.
 

Safeguarding Arrangements

If the provider is spending their time working with our students, then we expect them to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, carried out by their employer. The single central record is kept up to date with DBS numbers for all staff, supply staff, volunteers, contractors (visitors) and Academy Council members. The single central record states that we must record the date we have received confirmation from the contractor or employing organisation stating that they have carried out Enhanced DBS and Barred List checks, references and right to work in the UK and identity checks. The single central record is maintained by the head of business support and PA to the Principal, Yvonne Lambert.
 

Premises and facilities

St Augustine Academy ensures that relevant space is made available; however, if we cannot provide the premises or facilities, then it is down to the provider’s discretion as to whether the access takes place.
 

Right to Cancel

St Augustine Academy and its members of staff have the right to cancel any bookings made at any time due to internal and external factors. The provider also has the right to cancel due to internal and external factors. The provider must give notice via email to careers@saa.woodard.co.uk about the cancellation.

Destination Data

Below shows that last five years of destination data.

5 Year Trend

2021 NEET - National average - 6.4% (Awaiting the 2022 figure)
2022 Year 11 Leavers NEET- St Augustine Academy - 2% (Data collected from collaboration with Kent County Council)

Screenshot 2022 11 17 202432

Click here to find out more about our Destination Data

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