Outwood Academy Shafton has been recognised for its outstanding careers work this week. The school has been awarded the national Quality in Careers Standard awarded under licence by Ixion (Part of the Shaw Trust Group). The Quality in Careers Standard is awarded to schools and education providers who can demonstrate the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about their life after school.

Outwood Academy Shafton is an Ofsted rated ‘good’ school, continually working to improve the chances and opportunities of all the students. Recognising the importance of preparing students for their future careers the school began working towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.

There is a statutory duty to ‘secure independent careers guidance’ for all students from year 8 onwards and the Government also recommends that all schools should be required to work towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.

Achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard shows that the principal, governors and leadership team at Outwood Academy Shafton embrace, promote and endorse quality careers education and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of the school and its students. The school offers a range of activities to introduce students to the world of work and help them make decisions about life after school, including work experience days, visits to further and higher educational campuses, visits to workplaces and a careers ambassadors programme.

Laura Kaye, Careers Lead at Outwood Academy Shafton said:

“We are thrilled to have achieved the national Quality in Careers Standard. At Outwood Academy Shafton, we recognise the important role school plays in helping students develop their knowledge, skills and experience so they can go out into the world and achieve personal success.

“This standard has provided a flexible framework that enabled us to audit our work on careers and ensure our students are receiving advice, practical support and experience so they are prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training. We strongly believe in meeting every student’s needs so that they have the skills and abilities to reach their future goals and aspirations."