Careers and Year 11 Transition

All Key Stage 4 students, as well as parents and carers, have the opportunity to discuss their child's Post 16 options during Parents Evening and Academic Review Days. Students are provided with individually tailored support to ensure all our young people transition into the best possible Sixth Form, Further Education College or Work-Related Learning Placements.

Inspire Academy works with a wide range of outside agencies and partner agencies within and beyond the local borough. This ensures all our students have access to information and opportunities regarding further education, training and the world of work.

The Gatsby Benchmarks (https://www.goodcareerguidance.org.uk) are a key measure of the effectiveness of careers advice and are central to the Government’s Careers strategy. To ensure our students receive the highest quality of careers guidance, we are working towards meeting all eight of the Gatsby Benchmarks, in line with DfE expectations. The focus of the benchmarks are:

A Stable Careers Programme
Learning from Career and Labour Market Information.
Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil
Linking Curriculum Learning to Carers
Encounters with Employers and Employees
Experience of Work Places
Encounters with Further Education
Personal Guidance

Further Education Colleges

Vocational Pathway

Vocational courses and classes are offered by career colleges, vocational schools, trade schools and community colleges. These courses provide job-focused training for specific roles or careers.

Going to College is a lot different from school. It is a great way to prepare you for work, adult life or University. At College, you can study a wide range of courses and qualifications.

Vocational qualifications are well respected by Universities and Employers. They give students practical and professional expertise, theoretical knowledge and the study skills needed to progress to Higher Education or directly into employment.

Sixth Form College

Please contact individual Sixth Form Schools/Colleges regarding Open Evenings. Students must be accompanied by a parent/carer.

Sixth Form Schools/ Colleges usually have one open day per academic year.

Most AS & A2 levels are academic qualifications that focus on traditional study skills. Most AS & A2 Levels are assessed 70% through exams and 30% through coursework. A-Levels are made up of an AS Level (Year 1) and an A2 Level (Year 2). Each part makes up 50% of the overall A Level grade. Most students study four subjects in the first year and three subjects in the second year.

Entry Requirements: Usually students need to achieve 5 A* to C grades GCSEs including English and Maths (in one sitting). However, each Sixth Form/College/School will have their own entry requirements, depending on subject choices.

University or go straight into work?

It is worth knowing that whether you study A Levels/International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or vocational qualifications you can go on to either university or straight into work.

What can I study in Sixth Form?

Things you can study at school Sixth Form or Six Form College are:

GCSE’s
Academic qualifications such as A-Levels or AS-Levels
A diploma that mixes classroom learning, life skills and practical work experience

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are best for young people who are clear about the career they want and when that career requires mastering a practical skill. You will have to find your own apprenticeship placements either by approaching a company directly or by registering with the National Apprenticeship Services.

Apprenticeships are high-quality work-based learning programmes that allow apprentices to earn a wage while continuing their education.

Apprenticeships are run by the National Apprenticeship Service (www.apprenticeships.org.uk). Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of the apprenticeships, the apprentice’s ability & the chosen industry. To register and search for apprenticeships go to www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship.

Work Experience

We work closely with Medway Enterprise Business Partnership. The link we have made with MEBP has been vital to the success of our students accessing work experience placements and achieving part-time jobs & apprenticeships through these placements. MEBP helps source work experience placements for us, in a field each student has expressed an interest in, so they can gain hands-on experience. These placements can be once a week throughout the year or for a full week during term 4. Year 10 & 11 students will be given an opportunity each year to access a placement.

Dates	Year Group	Delivery	Benchmark
Sep 24	11	1:1 Interviews – MBe	8
	9, 10 & 11	Army Career Talk	2, 5 & 7
Nov 24	11	Predicted Grades discussions – MBe & Form Tutors	8
Nov 24	7	What is a career? – MBe	2
Nov 24	8	Career Pathways – MBe	2
Jan 25	9, 10 & 11	What is LMI? – MBe	2
Jan 24	11	1:1 Interviews – MBe	8
27-31/1/25	All	Careers Fair Preparation – Form Tutors	5
2/2/25	All	Careers Fair	5 & 7
2-4/2/25	All	Careers Fair Reflection – Form Tutors	5 & 8
10/2/25	11	Interview Tips and tricks Mock Interviews	3,5 & 7
Jan – March 24	11	Post 16 Applications – MBe	8
3-7/3/25	All	National Careers Week Activities	1-8
10-14/3/25	10 & 11	Work Experience	6
Term 4	All	Careers Term – Activities to be delivered in lessons & in tutor times revolving around careers. All students to complete Princes Trust Careers Unit.	4
June 25	9	Year 9 – Post 16 Opportunities – MBe	8
June 25	10	Year 10 – Post 16 Preparation – MBe	8
Weekly	All	Weekly SMSC Career Activities	2-8
TBC	9, 10 & 11	College, 6th form & training provider tours & taster sessions.	7
TBC	7-11	Career Guidance Lessons	2-8
TBC	8,9, 10 & 11	Forward2Employment Talk, Soccer Direct, K-Sports, Catch 22 Group Talks	3, 5, 7
TBC	9,10 & 11	ASK Apprenticeships Sessions	7