At The Burgess Hill Academy, we are all fully committed to providing an outstanding programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance activities that help us to address the careers development needs of all our students.
This will include:
- The provision of accurate, up-to-date and objective information on opportunities, progression routes, choices, where to find help and advice, and how to access it.
- The provision of advice through activities that help young people to gather, understand and interpret information and apply it to their own situation.
- The provision of impartial guidance and specialist support to help young people understand themselves and their needs, confront barriers, resolve conflicts, develop new perspectives and make progress.
The Governors, principal and all members of staff are committed to providing an outstanding programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance activities that satisfy national requirements and provide guidance which enables us to address the careers development needs of all our students.
The careers programme is nationally assessed as achieving the Quality in Careers Standard, fully meeting all the accreditation criteria incorporating the Gatsby Benchmark.
Outline of Learning Outcomes
Year 7
The main focus of personal development lessons in Year 7 is to develop self-awareness and self-esteem – looking at personal qualities, strengths and skills.
During the course of the year, students will receive a number of assemblies from local post 16 colleges and apprenticeship providers. Year 7 students will also have an assembly from Captain Kate West from EasyJet looking at careers in aviation and stereotypes.
All Year 7 students will also participate in an activity supported by Gatwick Airport Engineering where they will build a bridge during their science lessons.
Year 8
Personal development lessons will look at the work place and internet safety.
There are opportunities to take part in the BHAFC Social Enterprise Challenge, TeenTech Sussex and Edwards Vacuum Girls in Technology Day. There will also be a trip to the Gatwick STEM Centre looking at a variety of Engineering based careers. During the course of the year, students will receive a number of assemblies from local post 16 colleges and apprenticeship providers.
There will also be aspiration workshops for selected students look more closely at their skills and attributes and future opportunities.
Year 9
Year 9 students will continue to build on the knowledge they have of university life whilst looking at how to choose GCSEs in a bespoke workshop. During the course of the year, students will receive a number of assemblies from local post 16 colleges and apprenticeship providers.
There is the opportunity to participate in BIMA Digital Day which is supported by a local digital agency and offers students in teams to create a solution to a problem set by a national company and compete against other schools nationally.
Through personal development lessons, students will be encouraged to think about what influences their careers choices and what skills and qualities they have. They will also look at Money Management.
In the spring term, we will hold a guided choices evening aimed at providing students, parents and careers with all the information needed to choose the GCSE’s that students are most suited for. Each subject will offer a bespoke lesson on their subject at GCSE and beyond.
Year 10
Through personal development lessons and tutorial sessions, students will develop an understanding of their choices for post 16 education and training as well as how to access sources of information to help them in their decision making. Students will receive guidance on how to create a CV and work with their tutors to create their own.
We offer a series of study skills session for all Year 10 students aimed at improving revision techniques. During the course of the year, students will receive a number of assemblies from local post 16 colleges and apprenticeship providers.
We will hold a Business Networking session for all Year 10 students where they will have the opportunity to meet volunteers from a wide variety of industry sectors and discuss their job roles. This session is part of the preparation for one week of work experience taking place in May.
In the summer term, Year 10 students have the opportunity to attend two Post 16 provision taster days.
Year 11
All Year 11 students will be offered a 1-1 guidance meeting with our independent careers adviser during the autumn term. In addition, we will hold a post-16 information evening for students, parents and carers attended by over 25 post-16 education and apprenticeship providers. Students will receive assemblies from all local post-16 colleges together with apprenticeship providers.
In preparation for college applications, students will complete personal statements. Year 11 students are carefully guided through further education applications which include colleges, apprenticeships and other training schemes. Parents are kept informed throughout with regular emailed information. A workshop is held for students interested in the apprenticeship route, together with a virtual parents’ information evening.
Every Year 11 student will also take part in a mock interview in the Autumn term in preparation for their college interviews. Tutorial support sessions will take place prior to these mock interviews so that students understand what is expected.
Support is also offered at GCSE results day and beyond.
Extra Support – SEND and Pupil Premium
Students will have the opportunity to attend the Woodlands Meed Careers Fair in the spring term. Pupil premium students in Years 8 and 9 will receive an aspiration workshop. We offer the opportunity to attend our post 16 information evening during an earlier quiet session. Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and pupil premium students in Year 10 will receive a careers guidance meeting with our careers adviser and support will continue for students into Year 11 with college applications and interviews.
Alumni
At The Burgess Hill Academy, we are keen to create a network of ex-students and hear what our students have been up to since they have left the academy.
Please register to be part of our alumni programme by completing the following form:
and make sure you follow our LinkedIn page: