Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance
Mrs Amanda O’Donnell is the Careers Lead for Ninestiles, An Academy.
‘I am excited to be working with the students and staff at Ninestiles. My role is to ensure all students have access to the right advice and guidance based on their aspirations and abilities. I attended Ninestiles as a student many years ago, it’s nice to be back’
Ninestiles, An Academy is committed to maintaining its Quality in Careers Standard incorporating the Gatsby Benchmarks
At Ninestiles, we strongly believe that providing good quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is a vital part of a student’s learning and development and work-related learning (WRL) for all students. Giving students access to impartial and independent information will not only broaden their horizons but also raise aspirations and inspire them to work hard to achieve their long-term goals and ambitions. We feel that students who are well motivated and have a clear vision of their future are more likely to extend themselves academically.
The strength of our careers programme is demonstrated by our fantastic NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) figures that continue to be excellent.
Ninestiles, An Academy is committed to offering quality ‘Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance’ incorporating the Gatsby Benchmark standards. We are proud to hold The Quality in Careers Standards’ by CSW Investor in Careers.
CEIAG Vision
“To ensure all students at Ninestiles, An Academy are inspired to seek ambitious and aspirational destinations post 16.”
Ninestiles, an Academy seeks to maximise the life chances of all our young people and so it is crucial to prepare young people for life beyond school, sixth form and college. Collectively we will ensure our pupils have knowledge, skills and attributes that will ensure they are equipped to lead successful and happy lives’.
Learning outcomes are linked to Gatsby Benchmarks
The implementation of our CEIAG programme is designed to include a range of activities to ensure that all students from Years 7 – 11 are supported and offered:
- Information on further education, higher education, technical qualifications (T Levels), apprenticeships and other opportunities available at each transition point.
- Information from a range of local providers about opportunities including educational and work based options such as apprenticeships and T Levels.
- Information on how to make applications and the employability skills required to secure employment. Students in Year 11 will also receive a one to one careers interview with a qualified careers advisor.
Assessing our Careers Provision
CEIAG at Ninestiles is measured and assessed in a number of ways. Firstly, we evaluate all careers-related activity, including gathering stakeholder voice from all relevant parties. We monitor our careers programme termly using Compass, in which we receive external support and challenge by Birmingham Careers Hub and our Enterprise Advisor, Michael Pipe. Finally, we assess learner Post-16 destinations and monitor to ensure that our young people remain in education, employment or training, continuing to support where required.
Key Contacts
Our careers programme is monitored and measured through pupil evaluations, tracking of student destinations and through follow-on work in partnership with our main post-16 providers. The information available on this page was reviewed in September 2023
Key Staff/Contacts
Senior Leadership Team link: Jessica Hazelwood Email: jessica.hazelwood@ninestiles.org.uk Telephone: 0121 628 1311
Careers Lead: Mrs Amanda O’Donnell
Email: amanda.odonnell@ninestiles.org.uk Telephone: 0121 628 1311
Careers Advisor: Independent Careers Advisor from Birmingham Careers
Destination data
by latest DfE measures.
Career websites for learners and parents
www.nationalcareersservice.gov.uk ‘Job Profiles’ section of the National Careers Service website is a useful tool for learners to investigate different jobs and careers.
In particular, learners should look at the entry requirements to ensure that their career choices are realistic.
Other useful websites are: www.icould.com and Careers Quiz | UCAS
Most apprenticeships are advertised on the government’s website – https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. Learners need to create an account which allows them to search and apply for any vacancies that they are interested in. Realistically, most apprenticeships that are open to school leavers are advertised from around March onwards, although some of the bigger companies will open their schemes earlier as they have a more rigorous application process. Learners can set up email or text alerts for when new vacancies appear.
The Amazing Apprenticeship website is also a great resource for both parents/carers and learners who want to find out more about apprenticeships or T levels. The website address is https://amazingapprenticeships.com/
We must, however, stress that apprenticeships are highly competitive, so we suggest that all learners also apply to college or sixth form as a back-up.
Parental Support for Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance.
A parent’s toolkit for career conversations (talkingfutures.org.uk)
Use the Labour Market Information booklet LMI Guide – MY WAY Into The World Of Work to find out about jobs in the West Midlands. (right click and open the hyper link)
Birmingham Careers Service – Guiding Young People
Finding an LGBTQ-inclusive employer | Stonewall
Careers guidance and access for education and training providers (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Degree apprenticeships – Learn more here (ucas.com)
Birmingham Education Partnership | Our Newsletter (bep.education)
