Careers

Irlam and Cadishead Academy recognises that there is an expectation to provide careers education to all pupils in years 7-11. The careers education programme provides our learners with access to impartial and independent careers information, education and guidance, providing extra support as required for learners with additional needs, as outlined in the Gatsby Career Benchmarks 

Every pupil, whatever their ambitions, should have the opportunity to explore what it is like to learn at the full range of learning providers, including colleges, universities, apprenticeships, and training providers (including employers), University Technical Colleges (UTCs), and Studio Schools. That is why we ensure there is the opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access all year 8 to 11 pupils via assemblies, form time sessions, character days, and educational visits. By hearing directly from a range of providers, every pupil can build up a full picture of the options available and consider how the opportunity to study or train in different ways, and in different environments, might suit their skills, interests, and aptitudes. This will lead to better-informed choices and help to reduce the risk of young people dropping out of courses. 

Click here to view our CEIAG Provider Access Policy statement

Our CEIAG provision is led by Mrs Rachel White, Lead Practitioner, and supported by our Careers Co-ordinator Mrs Julie Baker. 

Students, parents, teachers, and employers can find out more information about our careers programme by contacting our trained advisor, Julie Baker, who is on-site Monday to Wednesday. 

Should you wish to make an appointment with Mrs Baker, please contact us at julie.baker@irlamandcadishead.org.uk  or 0161 537 1836. 

Our careers advice service is supported by GM Higher's trained advisory team. You can contact them directly through the 'Ask Us' service. Click here to access this service. 

We evaluate our careers provision at the end of each term and do this effectively via the compass+ evaluation tool. This tool is used to let us know how we are performing against the Gatsby Benchmarks and provides us with areas for improvement.  

In addition to this formal monitoring of the impact of CIEAG and provider access will be carried out through: 

• The school’s CIEAG checklist 
• Careers guidance interview records 
• Informal feedback from students, parents, teachers and employers through random sampling 
• Student questionnaires for individual guidance interviews and group work 
• Lesson observations 
• Enterprise Advisor reviews 
• Termly pupil voice via My Aspire 
• Local partnership engagement logs 
• Feedback from associated HE institutions 

Helping your child begin their career journey - Success at School 
A booklet produced by Success at School containing information on how to support your child in finding the appropriate career pathway for them. Click here  to download the guide.                    

Careers Advice for Parents 
This is an online website designed to give you, as parents, an easy-to-read overview of all the essential facts on finding jobs and apprenticeships or choosing further and higher education courses which could make a real difference to your child's future career prospects. Click here to visit the Careers Advice for Parents website.  

Apprenticeships Information:  

“Apprenticeships.gov” publish monthly guidance for parents who would like to know more about this post-16 pathway. See the latest here 

If you are thinking of applying to further education, here are our local providers. Click on the links below to access more information about courses, open evenings and how to apply. 

• City Skills 
• Eccles Sixth Form College 
• Future Skills 
• Pendleton College 
• Trafford College 
• Warrington College 
• Priestly College 
• Apprenticeships at Salford City College 
• UTC Warrington 

What is an apprenticeship? 

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. 

As an apprentice you will: 

• work alongside experienced staff 
• gain job-specific skills 
• earn a wage and get holiday pay 
• get time for study related to your job role (usually one day a week) 
• some apprenticeships can also give you an extra qualification 

How to apply 

More information and details on how to apply can be found here: 

What are T Levels? 

T Levels are a new, 2-year qualification designed to give you a head start towards the career you want. 
The government has developed T Levels to deliver world-class technical education and give you a new choice after GCSEs. 

How to apply 

More information and details on how to apply can be found here: