Outwood Academy Valley achieves quality standard for careers work
Outwood Academy Valley in Worksop, has been recognised for its outstanding careers work this week. The school has achieved 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 Valley is an Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ school, continually working to improve the chances and opportunities of all 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. The Government also recommends that all schools be required to work towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.
Achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard shows the principal, governors, and leadership team at Outwood Academy Valley 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. Careers information is seamlessly embedded through the curriculum at the academy with the regular promotion of opportunities through communication with students and their parents.
Students also have a chance to attend University open days and careers fairs, and benefit from opportunities such as employer drop-in days at the academy, attended by companies including JCB, Greencore and Laing O’Rourke. Regular career cafes at lunch with educational providers and employers have also helped develop curiosity, raise aspirations and increase knowledge of ambitious pathways.
Dave Cavill, Principal, said:
"This is an excellent achievement and recognises the quality and breadth of the careers provision within Outwood Academy Valley, preparing students for the next stage of their lives, whether that’s education, employment, self-employment or training.”
