Benchmark Three case study: Oxclose Community Academy
Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each pupil
Pupils have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each pupil. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.
Secondary benchmarks addressed: Two and Eight.
Aim: To engage parents/carers in their child’s pathway choices and to dispel some of the myths about apprenticeships.
Careers Leader: Sarah Reid, Oxclose Community Academy (reid.s@oxclose.net).
As an apprentice champion school, Oxclose Community Academy was keen to dispel some of the myths that might prevent both students and parents/carers from actively exploring this important route to employment.
To help it achieve Benchmark Three, Oxclose Community Academy worked in partnership with The Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools and Colleges programme (ASK), to organise a number of events for staff and parents/carers that helped address outdated stereotypes of apprenticeships and encouraged students to register on the government’s National Apprenticeship Service website.
The first event was an information evening for Year 11 pupils and their parents/carers, where attendees could put forward to ASK any questions or concerns they had about apprenticeships.
A second event was aimed at students interested in apprenticeships. It gave them the opportunity to register their details on the National Apprenticeship Service website so they could receive posts and updates about relevant apprenticeship opportunities.
Finally, Oxclose Community Academy and ASK invited parents/carers to attend a session at the school that gave more detailed information about how modern apprenticeships are run, the sectors they are available in, and the benefits they provide young people starting their career journeys.
Each session aimed to dispel any myths around apprenticeships and educate parents/carers about their child’s available routes to employment.
Parents/carers that took part in the events were asked to complete an exit survey. 100% of those surveyed said they knew more about apprenticeships and had more confidence in allowing their child to follow the apprenticeship route.
Vital ingredients that would make this activity successful if replicated by others:
- Giving parents/carers plenty of time to respond to letters/text messages and requesting an RSVP so attendee numbers can be managed.
- Build apprenticeships into the curriculum for Year 11 students at the same time so it’s a familiar topic for them to talk to their parents/carers about at home.
- Request that pupils come along with parents/carers to generate discussion.
Possible challenges to consider:
- Parents/carers not attending the event(s).
- Students not being engaged in their future choices.
- Parents/carers not supporting their child’s interest in apprenticeships due to a lack of understanding.