We believe that careers education and guidance is critical to our young people’s futures. It helps to prepare them for the workplace by providing a clear understanding of the world of work, including the routes to jobs and careers that they might find engaging and rewarding. It supports them to acquire the self-development and career management skills they need to achieve positive employment destinations. Perhaps most importantly, it helps students to choose their pathways, improve their life opportunities and contribute to a productive and successful economy. In short, our careers programme is central to our Aspire, Achieve, Excel philosophy.
We work closely with students, parents, colleges, apprenticeship providers, sixth forms, universities and employers to ensure our students and their parents/carers identify and secure their best possible future.
By browsing the links under the Careers sidebar, you will find a breakdown of our programme here at Hoo, along with links to some resources that we believe can benefit our students and their families as they navigate these decisions, wherever you are up to on your careers journey.
Meet the Team
Our Careers Team ensures that careers planning is built into the curriculum from Years 7 through 13. If you have a question or would like some help, please email us our usual parental enquiries email address, marked for our attention:
Mrs Leahy – Assistant Vice Principal and Careers Lead
louise.leahy@hundredofhooacademy.org.uk
Mrs Leahy takes lead responsibility and accountability for the delivery of our school’s programme of careers education, advice and guidance.
Resources for each step of the journey
Our most successful students–those who achieve the best exam grades and go to the best careers–usually share the same key behaviours. They are not necessarily the cleverest, but rather those who (a) do their homework, (b) attempt the challenge tasks their teachers set during lessons and (c) set themselves a careers ambition, even if they might not stick to it.
Mr Whatley, for example, at the age of 13, set himself the target of becoming a solicitor. He worked with his school’s careers team to ensure he knew what he had to do to achieve this, got the grades, got onto the course and even qualified as a solicitor before deciding he wanted to change careers and become a teacher. Yes, of course his new plan meant some retraining, however he was still able to achieve his new goal, and all because he had set that original target and made sure he got the grades to achieve it.
The following websites have useful tools and quizzes to help you identify your future career steps.
In addition, during your time with us here at Hoo, you will get the chance to have at least one interview with a careers advisor before the end of Year 11, and another by the end of Year 13.
Once you know what you want to do, we are here to help you reach that aim.
The Leigh Academies Trust Careers Education website provides some terrific resources.
In addition, we offer Futures evenings whenever our students face academic choices, but we also urge our students to take control of their own destinies.
Careers education is built into each of our subjects and teachers make links between their curriculum and the world of work.
Throughout their time at Hoo, we ensure that our students have meaningful encounters with employers and employees, as well as sixth forms, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers.
Meanwhile, our Hoo Aspire programme provides students with opportunities to encounter those who work in different fields, while our regular Year 10 and Year 12 work experience programmes allow students to experience first hand the world of work.
Access for Education and Training Providers (Baker Clause)
We are proud of the encounters we facilitate between our students and other education and training providers.
If you represent an education or training provider, including a university, sixth form, college or apprenticeship provider, and would like the opportunity to share with our students information about your organisation, we would love to hear from you.
The main point of contact for such requests is Mr Whatley.
We will seek to grant all such requests from a recognised provider. However a request may be denied where (a) a mutually convenient time or forum cannot be found or (b) the request is incompatible with our school’s safeguarding policy, which you can find elsewhere on our website.
In particular, we welcome providers to attend our parents’ and futures evenings, as well as our Year 11 and Year 13 results days. For more information, please see our school calendar, available elsewhere on our website.
The nature of the event to be attended will determine the premises or facilities it is appropriate for us to provide. In some cases, we may be able to offer an assembly hall. At a futures evening, a desk alongside other providers may be more appropriate.
Careers Education
During their education pupils have access to careers education, information, advice and guidance. Each academy follows a structured careers programme which supports pupils to develop skills and attributes to prepare them for their future lives.
Pupils will…
- Gain knowledge and understanding of career opportunities and future career pathways
- Develop personal skills and qualities
- Explore, develop and manage their own future career aspirations
- Develop employability skills
Support for pupils, parents, carers and teachers
The Leigh Academies Trust Engagement Team has developed a website to support pupils, parents, carers and teachers. Here you can find careers related information and resources including frequently asked questions.
Team Structure
The Leigh Academies Trust Engagement Team supports all academies and consists of Careers Learning; supports pupils through impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their future.
The Gatsby Benchmarks
Guidelines
Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers and employers.
What we do at The Hundred of Hoo Academy
- Extensive careers curriculum mapped through each curriculum area and PSHE lessons.
- Specific assemblies in place throughout the academic year to raise aspirations and explore the world of work.
- Information on the school website for both students and parents/guardians.
- Careers advice in place for students to utilise including guidance in year 11 and sixth form.
- Specific sessions on CV writing, supporting with university applications and interview support.
Guidelines
Every pupil, and their parents, should have access to good-quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed advisor to make the best use of available information.
What we do at The Hundred of Hoo Academy
- Careers advisor available.
- Dedicated section of school website to support both students and parents/guardians.
- Development of careers section in careers area with information available.
- Support post-16 with university application and apprenticeships
Guidelines
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.
What we do at The Hundred of Hoo Academy
- Even though careers meeting are for year 11 and sixth form, any student can request an additional one to ensure tailored advice and support can be given.
- Specific careers assembly to focus on diversity.
Guidelines
All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. For example, STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.
What we do at The Hundred of Hoo Academy
- Careers section of the school website to include information on a wide range of careers linked to each subject.
Guidelines
Every pupil should have first-hand experiences* of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.
What we do at The Hundred of Hoo Academy
- Work experience in Years 10 & 12.
Guidelines
Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers advisor, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs.
What we do at The Hundred of Hoo Academy
- Careers interview in Year 11 and Sixth Form.
Careers resources
Please view some helpful resources for helping children discover their future career paths:
- LAT Engagement – A Leigh Academies Trust website which gives all sorts of careers advice
- CareerPilot – A useful guide to learn more about various career paths, what qualifications they might need and how they can get more information
Buzz quiz
The Buzz quiz lets you explore the skills you have and where they could take you. There are also a number of career-related videos and articles written by careers experts.
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work. There are also resources to support you with writing CVs, running a skills health-check report and to find courses.
How to choose your options?
This quick guide is to help you choose your options.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrjh92p
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help make decisions on learning, training and work. There are also resources to support you with writing CVs, running a skills health-check report and to find courses.
Where could your favourite subject take you?
Looking for job inspiration? Check out our job profiles to help you get started. Hear from people who are using subjects that interest you, see how much you could get paid for different roles and find out what qualifications you might need to follow in their footsteps.
Start to research your next steps after year 11 and where you would like to study. Familiarise yourself with the grades you need to gain entry into further education so you can work towards these over the next 2 years.
Work Experience
For most pupils this will be the first opportunity they have to experience the world of work and to gain the valuable experiences that both Universities and employers seek from school leavers. Many University courses and employers will stipulate a placement as a condition of the entrance requirements and therefore this week is a vital part of their preparations for life beyond the Sixth Form.
It is important that students select a placement that is relevant to their chosen career path or course and not one that isn’t beneficial to their future plans.
The Next Step
Next Step also contains tips for revising for exams and how to cope with the pressure of school or exams, advice on what to do should you not get the grades you were expecting next summer, or wish to switch courses or subject choices during a new term.
And for anyone currently exploring their options for when GCSE exams are finally over – there is also a comprehensive run down of all the open days at schools, colleges and sixth forms taking place in Kent in the coming months.
Next Step is being made available in schools across the county but if you’ve yet to get your hands on a copy you can download our fantastic e-edition now. Simply click here.
UCAS Progress
Search and apply for courses via UCAS progress.
https://www.ucas.com/further-education/post-16-options
Apprenticeships
The websites below provide information about the opportunities and benefits that apprenticeships can provide.
https://www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships
https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/
apprenticeshipsearch
National Citizen Service
NCS is a voluntary scheme in the UK (provided by the government) to aid the personal and social development of young people aged between 15 and 17 years old.
The programme gives participants the opportunity to stay away from home, develop skills and qualities to enhance their CVs and meet new people.
Graduates of the programme at the end of year 11 can become NCS leaders too.
Online resources
- The WOW Show – https://www.thewowshow.org/
- Amazing Apprenticeships – https://amazingapprenticeships.com/
- Learn Live – https://learnliveuk.com/
- Careermap – https://careermap.co.uk/careermaplive/
Labour Market Information
Explore different occupations using the LMI for All Careerometer widget
The widget can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations help of learn about different occupations and identify potential careers.
It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation.
Simply type in the title of the job you are interested in and the widget provides a series of options from which you can select the most relevant to you. You can then look up another two occupations and compare. You can also select ‘display the UK average’ and compare the information with the occupation you have selected.
Recommended resources for parents
As a Parent/Carer or someone with care responsibilities, you are likely to be one of the most trusted and important sources of information and advice to your child. The resources below are designed to give you the tools to guide and support your child with their decision-making and the application process they will go through.
The Hundred of Hoo Sixth Form – Please see our Sixth Form tab for more information
Pupils will have the opportunity to visit and apply for post-16 colleges of their choosing, including the two main providers in the local area:
Please be aware that there are other colleges with particular specialisms in Performing Arts, Agriculture and Animal Care.
The websites below provide information about the opportunities and benefits that apprenticeships can provide.
STEM Careers is a digital toolkit for students and parents. It supports the link between Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects students study at school, college or university before moving to the world of work.
Explore different occupations using the LMI for All Careerometer widget.
The widget can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations help of learn about different occupations and identify potential careers.
It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation.
Simply type in the title of the job you are interested in and the widget provides a series of options from which you can select the most relevant to you. You can then look up another two occupations and compare. You can also select ‘display the UK average’ and compare the information with the occupation you have selected.
A Leigh Academies Trust website which gives all sorts of careers advice with a dedicated section for parents and carers
Employer Engagement
The value of employer engagement with our students cannot be underestimated. We are proud of the huge number of employers who work with our students to prepare them for the world of work.
Through careers events (HE Fair, Apprenticeship Event and University trips), PSHE curriculum, guest speakers, mock interview sessions and work experience opportunities, students have a multiplicity of opportunities to engage with employers.
We draw on the expertise of employers from a wide range of sectors: private, public and voluntary and our students benefit in so many ways. They develop an understanding of the workplace, of employer expectations, of the need and benefit of developing their transferable employability skills and most importantly of the breadth of opportunity available to them. They grow in confidence and self-belief. They learn more about what employers have to offer: apprenticeships, internships, scholarship programmes, and so on. They develop a greater understanding of what they need to do in order to pursue their chosen career. They improve their chances of success.
Year 10 and 12 Work Experience Week 2024
Year 10 work experience week is scheduled for Monday 1st – Friday 5th July 2024
We are delighted that once again our Year 10 and Year 12 work experience will be taking place in July 2024 for one week. For most pupils this is the first opportunity they have to experience the world of work and to gain valuable experience that will serve them well as they begin the journey towards university and/or employment. Many universities and employers require that applicants have completed a work experience placement and therefore this week is a vital part of their preparations for life beyond the Academy.
Further information regarding Year 10 and Year 12 Work Experience will be linked here soon.
Students who are sourcing their own placements will be required to enter the following information onto the Link2 website:
- The company they have confirmed their placement with;
- The person they have confirmed with;
- The telephone number of the person they have confirmed with;
- The email address of the person they have confirmed with;
- The kind of work they’ll be doing, e.g. banking, engineering, hairdressing, etc.
- MEBP will follow up all such placements to carry out a health and safety check and create job descriptions.
Placements which are not only considered high risk in terms of health and safety but are also outside of Kent cannot be guaranteed – please provide details as early as possible.
After 20/5/22 MEBP cannot accept any further ‘own’ placements and students will need to select one from the system. To access the system, follow the instructions above then go to search on the top blue menu to make your selections – select four options in order of preference.
Students need to read all of the job descriptions thoroughly, including how to get there, before selecting.
MEBP will populate Link2 with sufficient placements for every student who has not sourced their own placement and the system will ‘Go Live’ at the end of office hours on this day.
The School Co-ordinator will finalise the students’ selections, ensuring the placements allocated are suitable to the students’ abilities and needs. After the time allotted to this the system will lock and no further selections or alterations can be made.
Immediately after this Job Descriptions and Parental Consent Forms are to be produced through the system and sent to all parents/carers – these MUST be signed and returned to the school before placements commence.
Frequently asked questions
Students are strongly encouraged to arrange their own placements (with some parental assistance) which are subject to Health and Safety checks by Medway Education Business Partnership. They also arrange appropriate job descriptions with the company you put forward. However, MEBP can also provide work experience placements for students on behalf of the school, where necessary.
We want students to organise their own placements wherever possible. The whole experience the students gain outweighs placements where they are asked to just select from a provided list. From company research, identification and selection, approaching and communicating with an employer, self-organisation, regular travel and attendance, to log book completion. This all builds confidence and provides students with the satisfaction that they completed the process independently, and really helps inform a career path.
It also provides students with relevant work experience that they have organised, which in an increasingly competitive job market helps to equip them with the confidence for University interviews or Apprenticeship and job applications. Previous students have communicated how beneficial their Work Experience was, although it was not necessarily realised at the time. Having to seriously think about their careers, explore different types of career paths, employer contact and gain a valid work experience, focused their minds on the options open to them. It also provided relevant experience for their University applications and Personal Statements, Apprenticeship applications and CVs.
Students on Work Experience have also benefited from Companies going on to offer them student Internships whilst at University, summer and weekend work and Degree Apprenticeships based solely on their week with them. It is the start of the students’ understanding of the real working world and highlights the importance of effective communication and networking.
For students who do not manage to organise their own placements, we provide them with a selection of MEBP local placement’s to choose from. These are also beneficial, and give sound work experience however they may not offer the breadth of subjects or career paths the student may wish to experience.
Yes, we currently pay £35 per head for all our students to attend Work Experience. On top of that we pay a further £35-75 a head (industry dependent) for each student who organises their own placement, for a Health and Safety check on the business they wish to attend. We do not ask for a contribution from parents but we just ask for students to attend their placement.
Yes, if your son or daughter does not organise an own placement, they can make up to 4 selections from the MEBP list subject to availability. These are allocated on a first come served basis and are available from the beginning of May.
Students often do not understand what a placement has to offer until they have tried it. In most cases they have originally chosen it and need to be encouraged to attend. The basic idea of work experience is to gain an experience of work in some form and although they may think it is not the ideal placement for them, they will learn. Indeed they often learn more from an experience outside their expectations and comfort zone.
Students’ first point of contact is Miss Taylor, who can be reached at the school by email: suzanne.taylor@hundredofhooacademy.org.uk
You must contact the school immediately. The school will contact MEBP. Legally students attending work experience are still involved in a school activity.
The work experience Coordinator, supported by school colleagues, will make every attempt to contact all placements during work experience week.
This is a log book designed for the student to record the daily activities and experiences of their placement and that helps them to identify and develop specific skills. There is a section for employer feedback and parental feedback. The book is handed in at the end of the placement to Mrs Hill. All sections must be completed.
This is further to the Log book and is a certificate issued to excellent students. To apply for this, students must inform Mrs Hill of their intention to obtain it, complete a separate section in the Log book and write a report on their placement, with evidence of interviews and further information concerning their placement.
Yes – we will make provision for those entitled to free school meals. Please contact Mr Whatley.
Careers Policies
Our careers education programme ensures that we are working towards the meeting of each of the 8 Ofsted and Gatsby Benchmarks.
We provide a comprehensive programme for all year groups, from the age of 4, delivered through lessons, workshops, talks and trips across the curriculum. Our programme is progressive and includes activities that will cover self-development, career exploration, career management and explores further and higher education options and opportunities.