top of page

FUTURES

Our vision is that by the age of 25 all Aldridge graduates will have experienced an outstanding and enjoyable education and be able to sustain the life of their choice.  They will be independent, thriving economically and making a real positive contribution to their communities. 

  

Personal, Social, Relationship, Health, Economics Education and Information, Advice and Guidance (PSRHE/IAG) is advice and support we offer our students to help them develop as young people, active citizens and prepared to make appropriate decisions about their future. Throughout our school the CIEAG provision is delivered under the banner of ‘Work it Out’. 

 

Key information about careers is provided to our students with a structured way within the school’s programme of tutor time activities, because they need a realistic expectation of what each option entails and support to help them make decisions that reflect their ability, potential, aspirations and learning preferences. 

  

Every student at DACA is encouraged to high aspirations for their future, develop their enterprise skills and make the most of their academic ability and talents. We help our students prepare for the next stage education and employment; applying for sixth form, college, university, apprenticeships and the world of employment by providing regular and timely careers guidance, development of enterprise and employability skills and encounters with local organisations and institutions.    

  

Through DACA’s partnership with the Hive and by working with our Enterprise Co-ordinator and Enterprise Adviser, we have excellent links with leading local employers in all sectors. We regularly have visitors into the academy in curriculum areas, in assemblies or at events to inspire our students and provide them with crucial local labour market information. 

  

All subjects provide specific subject related information at all key stages and all areas of the curriculum integrate the development of employability skills into their lessons. Local STEM providers such as BAE Systems are also invited regularly to offer students an overview of their progression pathways through interactive sessions. 

  

Our annual Skill Showcase takes place to allow our students to interact with local employers and be aware of the skills they need for success in a particular industry sector.  During National Careers Week there is a whole school focus on promoting careers, this includes inspiring guest speakers providing assemblies for students; staff sharing their career paths and subject teachers raising awareness of careers linked to curriculum areas.  

 

Baker Clause Statement. This statement sets out our arrangements for managing the access of providers to student at the Academy for the purposes of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education act 1997 (the ‘Baker Clause’).  

 

Students in Years 8 – 11 are entitled to:  

  • find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;  

  • hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options evening’s, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;  

  • understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses 

  

Parents are actively encouraged to be involved in all aspects of their child’s progression and future prospects. They have access to progress tutors, subject leaders, pastoral managers and specialist advisors, through parent’s evenings, careers events and progress review meetings.  If students have a question about careers or want further information they can: 

​​ 

Our CEIAG provision is evaluated with students, teachers and employers on an annual basis.  The school also measures how its careers’ education meets the eight Gatsby Benchmarks. 

​

  1. A stable careers programme. 

  2. Learning from career and labour market information. 

  3. Addressing the needs of each student. 

  4. Linking curriculum learning to careers. 

  5. Encounters with employers and employees. 

  6. Experiences of workplaces. 

  7. Encounters with further and higher education. 

  8. Personal guidance. 

 

  • To read our policy on Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance, please click here

  • For an overview of how we provide Careers Education through our tutor programme

  • For an overview of how we provide Careers Education through each of our subjects, please click here.

  • For an overview of how our careers’ provision meets the Gatsby Benchmarks, please click here

  • For our policy on enabling access to providers of education and training, see our policy above. Details on how to contact our Careers’ Lead, please see above 

​

Management of Provider Access requests. Any provider wish to request access to DACA should contact the Careers Leader as detailed above. We have a number of opportunities and forums available. You can identify some of these opportunities through our publish careers programme but we are also very willing to facilitate ad-hoc and targeted access in addition to our planned opportunities. 

​

Aldridge Connect

Building a network of people who could help you The Aldridge Foundation has launched Aldridge Connect, a free site on the social media platform LinkedIn, which has over 27 million users in the UK and focuses on jobs and careers. Joining can help you grow professional connections in industries that interest you; gives you immediate access to a network of all Aldridge students AND professional companies; and provides help with CVs.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/school/aldridge-connect

​

Parents

​

CLICK HERE FOR THE PARENTS/CARERS GUIDE

​

​

Students and parents

​

​

  • What is BwD School Direct?
    A group of 3 secondary and 2 primary schools (listed below) in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen and The University of Cumbria, supported by secondary provision. The schools in this area are:- Ashleigh Primary SchoolBlackburn Central High School with CrosshillDarwen Aldridge Community AcademyDarwen Vale High SchoolSudell Primary SchoolThe University of Cumbria
  • Why Train with BwD School Direct?
    We are successful and developing schools, offering employment and early leadership opportunities We work in partnership with members of the Blackburn with Darwen Group DACA received a good Ofsted graded provider [2017] with exceptional completion and employment rates Our partner schools are all good or outstanding (Ofsted) and have a shared outlook on successful education We offer relevant training and are determined that our trainees attain outstanding All trainees can gain PGCE accreditation
  • Do You Need Experience?
    We are happy to provide volunteering experience for future teachers to enable you to ‘realise your potential’. You may be eligible to take advantage of the Teaching Agency’s ‘School Experience Programme’. You can find if the age phase/ subject you are interested in is included by going to: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/school-experience/sep OR, for subjects not included we offer several induction days over the academic year where we can discuss further volunteering opportunities which will assist you to make the right decision.
  • Entry Requirements
    GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade C or above (or equivalent qualification) for Secondary places GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science at Grade C or above for Primary places A first degree from a UK higher education institution or equivalent qualification A degree classification at 2:2 or above (depending on the subject ) A demonstrable interest in teaching within a curriculum area. This can be shown in a number of ways such as time spent in schools, knowledge of the chosen curriculum area and relevant practical experience PLEASE NOTE – FOR PURPOSES OF INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING, LEVEL 2 NUMERACY AND LITERACY QUALIFICATIONS ARE NOT CONSIDERED AS EQUIVALENT TO GCSE GRADE C IN MATHEMATICS OR ENGLISH
  • Fulfil the Criteria?
    Then you can visit us on one of our information sessions advertised via our website or apply via UCAS as soon as the application window is open. Places are limited and in high demand so early application is recommended.
  • About your placement
    You will complete your main placement in one of the appropriate partnership schools for your subject. You will have a second placement at one of the other schools within the partnership. You will have your own personal tutor/mentor. You will have opportunities to experience professional development in a wide variety of alternative school settings (Special and Sixth Form). You will create a file of evidence to support your successful development. You will gain a PGCE with Masters Accreditation through the University of Cumbria
  • What subjects do we offer?
    We offer the following subjects: Art & Design Biology Chemistry Computing English Geography History Mathematics Modern Foreign Languages Physics Primary
  • My subject isn’t included?
    Join our, ‘Getting into Teaching’ programme. You need to commit to at least 10 days of volunteering and in return we will support you to prepare your application, provide some training opportunities and, in many cases, provide a reference. If you are interested contact: fiona.weatherburn@daca.uk.com If would like to train with BwD School Direct, you must ensure that you meet the criteria below: BwD School Direct At least a degree classification of 2:1 for PE and English At least a second class relevant degree in other subject areas GCSE grade C or above in English and Mathematics [Science for Primary] Recent, relevant experience of working with children and young people [can be voluntary] Accurate, well written application form and personal statement Evidence of the personal qualities needed to become a teacher Successfully passed the key skills tests
hGQJjdJ8dhDdXdbq3Go6_yxlymIseui_6g (1).p

Click photo to view

bottom of page