Our Career Programme

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance at The Rural Enterprise Academy contributes to the school’s overall mission to educate, nurture and inspire future rural entrepreneurs. TREA aims to inspire and raise aspirations, develop ‘work ready’ young people, and eliminate perceived stereotypes, misconceptions and barriers to further and higher education. Our careers program facilitates learners’ understanding of themselves and the contribution they can offer to an employee and their community. Moreover, it provides pupils with information, advice and guidance which enables them to choose the post 16 education that best suits their academic needs and aspirations.

The Rural Enterprise Academy incorporates the Department for Education’s recommended Gatsby Benchmarks to underpin and deliver a stable careers program.

The Gatsby Benchmarks

Deliver a stable careers programme
Learning from career and labour market information
Addressing the needs of each student
Linking curriculum learning to careers
Encounters with employers and employees
Experiences of workplaces
Encounters with further and higher education
Personal guidance

The programme below may be subject to change depending on availability.

Year 9

College taster day/ Land Study SSC (GB 7, 4)
SEN: 1-1 careers interview/support (GB 3, 8)
Icould – Take the Buzz Quiz (GB 2)
My Future Career Aspirations questionnaire and guidance (GB 3)
START – Introduction/Getting started (GB 1, 2, 3, 4)
Enterprise challenge day (Business Christmas Market – Youth Award) (GB4)
START – Which jobs suit my interests and work preferences (1, 2, 3, 4)
Careers Talk (various visitors) (GB 2, 7)
START – Introduction to choosing GCSEs and Where could my GCSEs take me? (GB 1, 2, 3, 4)

Year 10

College taster day/ Land Study SSC (GB 7, 4)
SEN – 1-1 careers interview/support (GB 3, 8)
My Future Career Aspirations questionnaire (GB 3, 8)
START – Opening your eyes. Which jobs suit my interests and work preferences? (GB 2, 3, 4)
START – introduction to your locker
START – employability skills. (GB 2, 3, 4)
NCS The benefit of volunteering (GB 6)
START – Exploring Pathways – introduction to university. (GB 2, 3, 7)
START – Exploring pathways – introduction to apprenticeships. (GB 2, 3, 7)
Visit to/from universities – Harper Adams, Keele, UoB (GB 7)
3-day employability/further education programme (GB 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8):
- CV writing workshop X 2 lessons
- Mock interviews with industry professionals
- Introduction to The National Apprenticeship Workshop ASK
- Applying to college/apprenticeship SSC
- Careers Interview (to be conducted by tutors/mentors/careers)
University Summer school residential (Harper/Keele/Birmingham) (GB 7)
Work Experience (GB 6)

Year 11

Labour Market Information – Local vacancies and apprenticeships distributed to pupils, parents and staff. (GB 2)
6th Form Taster Day (Wolgarston, choosing A levels)
START – Exploring pathways – introduction to apprenticeships. (GB 2, 3, 7)
START – Improving my employability – What are employability skills? (GB 4, 5)
Parents evening Careers Information- ASK, Higher Horizons, NCS, Careers Advice and Information. (GB 2, 7)
CV writing workshop (GB 4, 5)
START- Exploring pathways – introduction to university (GB 2, 3, 7)
NCS volunteering (GB 6)

Comments from some of our Partners:

Odos Group Ltd – “very enthusiastic placement showing willingness to learn”
Teddie’s Hair Design – very happy with placement and offered Saturday job
Paul Reynolds Centre – “K is working hard and enjoying the experience. He is keen to learn about the challenges he is undertaking”
Sherbrook Primary School – “Staff say she has been brilliant and they are glad to have her there for a second week”
Rockstar Equine – “A pleasure to have at the centre, I would not hesitate to employ A if she decided to come into the industry full time”
D & A Swift & Son – “Polite and willing to listen and learn”
UK Today Midlands Ltd – “Punctual and a brilliant worker”