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Careers Programme at LPA

At Lydiard Park Academy (LPA) we are committed and passionate when preparing pupils for both Higher Education and entry into the labour market.

Careers, education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) is now an embedded focus of our PSHE Curriculum from Year 7 through to Year 13. With an emphasis based upon apprenticeship support for students in Years 11 to 13.

We recognise that not every pupil wishes to attend University upon completion of their A level studies and therefore offer support and guidance to students who are considering ‘Degree, Higher and Level 3 and Level 2 apprenticeships’.

Additionally, vocational routes and apprenticeships are given an equal focus when preparing pupils for Post-16 plans. We strive to offer impartial advice in order to help our pupils make informed decisions regarding their futures.

We support the student body by offering a combination of activity-based learning but also include direct links within our curriculum in order for pupils to identify how taught subjects can relate to employment opportunities in later life.

LPA has a number of local employers who support our programme of events and we have two core Enterprise Partners in Vets4Pets and Excalibur Communications.

Both Vets4Pets and Excalibur have offices located in Swindon and have been instrumental in supporting us with a variety of activities such as mock interviews for our Year 10 pupils, work experience placements for 6th form pupils and on site ‘careers workshops’ for Years 10 -13 pupils of LPA. (updated 16th October 2020)

Further support comes from a variety of sources including apprenticeship providers such as Green Labyrinth who are one of Swindon’s premier apprenticeship providers. Should you wish to review their opportunities, then please use the following link click here.

As a school, we are fortunate to have prestige businesses such as Intel, Great Western Hospital, Nationwide, First City Nursing, Dick Lovett and Jacobs Engineering with us to support our careers-based events.

This section of our website also incorporates our school policy which will allow viewers an overview of our annual ‘Careers programme’. Should you require further information please visit the related documents.

Best regards,

Mr M. Godley
Careers Leader
careers@lydiardparkacademy.org.uk

Ofsted Quote

“Inspectors should explore:….

  • The extent to which the school has developed and implemented a strategy for ensuring that all students in Years 8 to 13 receive effective careers guidance. The impact of this guidance in helping young people to make informed choices about their next steps.
  • How well the school meets the needs of all vulnerable groups of students, including reducing the numbers who do not continue to education, employment or training.”

Ofsted link:- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-for-young-people-in-schools

Careers Guidance and Provider Access Policy (LPA) (137KB)

This policy statement sets out the arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils...

Careers Advice @ Sixth Form

For further information regarding post-18 options click here.

Careers Advice & Guidance

Lydiard Park Academy is committed to the implementation of the recently introduced ‘Gatsby Benchmarks’ which are designed to support pupil knowledge and awareness of career opportunities open to them.

Benchmark 8 - According to the Gatsby Foundation: -

“Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs.”
LPA will commit to ensuring every pupil will have at least one such interview by the age of 16, and the opportunity for a further interview by the age of 18.