The Ilfracombe Academy is very proud to have maintained and kept the Investor in Careers Award, which recognises excellence in this area of work, since 1998. Achieving the Award reflects our strong commitment to provide impartial, independent careers education, information, advice and guidance to all young people.

We cater for the needs of students in a variety of ways:

• Delivering specific careers lessons through the PCRE curriculum;
• Providing support and information within the tutorial programme and individual subject areas at key points;
• Complementing these with a wide range of additional opportunities for students to gather further information, and receive impartial advice and guidance, as well as extend their understanding and experience.

We have a firm belief that “every teacher is a teacher of careers” and our staff are committed to ensuring that we provide the best careers support possible for our students.

Key Stage 3

The KS3 careers provision is focused on opening students’ eyes to the options available to them. The focus is on discussion, research and aspiration.

​Students follow a programme designed to encourage them to develop career management and career exploration, as well as being able to reflect on and plan for their own self-development. Topics include:

• Reviewing transition from Primary to Secondary school;
• Looking forward and action planning;
• Unifrog (a series of classroom-based lessons developed to help students learn more about the opportunities and career pathways available);
• Employment law relating to young people;
• Focused information, support, and advice during the Options Programme when considering career routes at KS4.

​Students also take part in ‘careers immersion lessons’ where they work with the careers lead to explore different careers programmes such as ‘Unifrog’ and ‘Careers Pilot’. They further develop their knowledge by taking part in a series of careers-focused lessons and activities during National Careers Week.

​We offer vital events throughout the year, including workshops with visiting organisations and local employers, ensuring we further raise aspirations with trips to higher education providers and through our annual ‘Next Steps Day’ Careers fair.

Key Stage 4

The careers pathway in Years 10 and 11 has a strong emphasis on developing the skills required to enter the world of work, exploring the various career paths available to students in the future in more detail. Students have bespoke assemblies, focus groups, and tutor activities linked to CEIAG. They also explore labour market information via Unifrog during tutor and through optional home learning research tasks.

​A large part of the KS4 journey is in Year 10 where students undertake their work experience in the summer term. Students take responsibility for finding a suitable placement with the support of their tutors and Careers Lead. Tutorial activities and assemblies are delivered at key times throughout Year 10 to help students prepare for and make the most of their placement, and to review their learning afterwards. Student experiences, activities, and competencies are logged on Unifrog and through student reflective logbooks.

In Year 11, students investigate the range of opportunities available in the Sixth Form, at Further Education colleges, and through information on Apprenticeships. Students work with visiting agencies to consider their next steps and have both group and one-to-one careers guidance.

Sixth Form

The majority of our Sixth Form students progress on to Higher Education. A lot of the work done in the Sixth Form centres around research into universities, HE courses, and the completion of the UCAS application. There are organised trips to university open days, visiting speakers, tutorial sessions and workshops. Students are also encouraged to attend university Open Days and summer schools independently.

​Parents are engaged in the process and are invited to attend evening information sessions and the 'Next Steps Day'. For those students not progressing to HE, we provide information on apprenticeships; guidance on CVs and covering letters; and support with decisions about their next steps.

​Year 12 students are also encouraged to take part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme offered at The Ilfracombe Academy. The programme is a year-long commitment where students create their own business and develop the key competencies that all employers and universities seek. For example, organisation, adaptability, financial understanding, teamwork, and resilience.

Sixth Form Work Experience has been in place since 2022-23 and students are expected to independently organise a week-long placement, related to their university course or proposed next steps. This is intended to build on the Year 10 Work Experience as they begin to think more carefully about their options after Sixth Form.

National Careers Week

During National Careers Week, students take part in a number of activities both in their curriculum lessons and in workshops outside their normal timetable. We have a focus on ‘careers in the curriculum’ where lesson time during this week is committed to subject/sector specific information and practical activities. Students have an assembly delivered by the Careers Lead and a tutor programme committed to CEIAG.

Where can you find out more information?

If you would like to know more about careers and work-related learning in school, or if you are an employer or provider and would like to know more, then get in touch with Richard Vale, Head of Careers (rvale@ilfracombeacademy.org.uk).