Careers
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Investor in Careers |
We are pleased to announce that Paddington Academy has achieved the second stage of the Investor in Careers award. This is a kite mark used in schools across the country to recognise excellence in Careers Education and Guidance. Through developing the careers programme and working towards the final stage of the award, we aim to make Paddington Academy a leader in careers education and guidance. The Academy’s careers policy is available here
A copy of the student entitlement is available here
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Careers programme |
A new careers programme for all year groups is in place. By the end of Key Stage 3, students will:
- Know how to use the careers library
- Have found out more about themselves, including their skills and talents, personal qualities, and possibilities for change
- Know how to make decisions, such as choosing GCSE/ BTEC options
- Have learned about equal opportunities
- Have met the Careers & Guidance Co-ordinators and Connexions Advisers
- Have used KUDOS to find out more about the types of work they are suited to and interested in
- Have discovered more about the world of work and the choices they have to make
- Have started the process of action planning
By the end of Key Stage 4, students will have:
- Had the chance to do a work or voluntary placement
- Used computer resources such as KUDOS and Jobs 4 U to continue to find out more about the types of work in which they are interested
- Received more information about their post-16 options
- Developed an action plan
- Had a guidance interview with Connexions, and help to decide about their next step
- Had information about local colleges
- Had the opportunity to speak to employers and training providers about their prospects for the future
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Engaging with local employers |
As well as the careers programme, Paddington Academy is developing student’s awareness of careers throughout the curriculum. Speakers from different industries regularly come into lessons and assemblies to speak about careers. In the past year we have welcomed employers including Marks & Spencer, VISA, London Underground, Gary Harvey (eco fashion designer), the Cabinet Office, DDB Advertising, and the BBC amongst many others. We are also proud to work with Brokerage City Link, Young Enterprise and Time for Paddington to provide opportunities for our student to enhance their employability skills.
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Work experience |
Students in Year 10 recently gave up their half term holiday to complete one week’s work experience in a range of businesses, charities, nurseries and community organisations around London. This was a fantastic experience for all involved, and one that the students will remember for many years to come. Many students have been invited back for further placements in the school holidays, and feedback from employers was excellent with comments including:
‘Best work experience student we’ve ever had’ (Ahsan Khan – Mister Print)
‘Extremely committed and hardworking..exactly the kind of person we would like to employ’ (Najlaa Khounchafi – Barclays Bank)
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Holiday activities |
During the summer holidays and October half-term students from Years 7 to 11 took part in a range of fun and exciting activities. These included visits to the London Aquarium, the Arsenal Emirates Cup, the Thriller Musical, a Kung Fu theatre show, horse riding at the Westway Stables, go-karting, the IMAX cinema, the Science museum and a day trip to Paris.
These activities rewarded students for their hard work and effort throughout the year, and gave them the opportunity to have fun, make new friends, and experience new things. All students who took part did a fantastic job of representing the Academy, and many said it was the highlight of their holiday. A student in year 11 who went to an Arsenal match said: “the trip brought together students from different years and we all got along. It was my first time going to the Emirates Stadium, and I was astonished”. We hope to offer similar opportunties to student in the summer holidays next year.
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Connexions |
In addition to the Careers Department, the Academy also has a Connexions Personal Adviser, Gallal Muflahi, who works in school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Connexions are an information, advice and guidance service for all young people aged 13-19. Personal Advisers (PAs) are able to talk to you about the following things:
• Careers advice
• Part time work and CV writing
• Volunteering opportunities
• Getting involved in activities outside of school such as youth clubs, drama or sports
• Housing or money problems
The Connexions Office is based within Mr Twine and Ms Shortt’s room on the second floor. You can see Gallal during break time or lunch time drop in. You can also ask to make an appointment by speaking to Gallal, your form tutor or your Head of Year.
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Useful links |
Click here to see a chart showing Post-16 qualification and progression routes
Click here for direct gov.uk: Information and advice on different issues relevant to young people
Click here for icould.com for careers related videos and case studies
Click here for the careersbox website to view careers videos and resources