Student Career Support Services
High quality teaching and learning is what you will find at the Thomas Deacon Academy but there are many others working in conjunction with teaching members of staff to help students realise their potential. Here at the Academy we have a dedicated career development and guidance team called i.can.be... which comprises of 3 career specialists that provide an impartial and independent service to all students aged 11 to 19. Based in room A01 on the ground floor, the i.can.be... team offers an 'open door' policy to students so they have the freedom to access help and advice when they need it.
The team works closely with tutors, college student achievement leaders and the wider Academy network to provide a programme of careers development and support services to help students manage their transitions through learning and into the world of further education and employment. Running continuously throughout the school year is our personalised 1:1 career advice and guidance programme that all students can access by arranging an appointment directly or asking their tutor or student achievement leader. From year 10 the icanbe team will be working closely with students to prepare and support them for post 16 and appointments with our career coach will be arranged automatically. These sessions are student centred, which enables the needs of the student to be identified and opportunities to be built upon.
Tough times ahead ...
You cannot watch the news without hearing a story about more doom and gloom about the latest dip in the economy or rise in unemployment. Many families have been affected in one way or another and competition is going to increase, particularly for our young people looking to continue their education or applying for work. The need for quality and timely information and guidance has never been greater for young people and at the Thomas Deacon Academy we believe we have a quality career provision that will ensure students get the help they need to equip them to manage their transitions and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Pathways to success....
In order for students to be successful in their lives beyond school we believe in the importance of delivering a high quality programme of career development and guidance. The i.can.be... team continues to develop a quality career provision for 11 to 19 students to enable all students to fulfil their potential by progressing into further/higher education, employment or training. Overall the programme is to help students towards:
- Self development to understand themselves and recognise and develop their skills and qualities
- Career exploration - to be able to recognise impartial information and effective researchers to explore learning and career opportunities open to them
- Career management - to make, review and adjust learning and career plans to manage change and transitions. To own and take responsibility for their decisions.
The career development programme is delivered through various strands across the Academy's timetable. In this way, the i.can.be.. team can be more flexible in the type of activity and method it is delivered to make it relevant, topical and timely. In the 6th form students will access a structured enrichment programme that will cover career development activities to prepare them for higher education, work-base training or employment.
Inspiring futures...i.can.be... organises a number of special events throughout the year to provide opportunities for students and parents/carers to find out more information about careers and learning choices. The Pathway 16+ event for year 10s and parents/carers is an open event to help take a look at the year ahead. The Inspire Careers Conference is one of the Academy's premiere events with over 40 companies and organisations taking part to inspire our young people. For more information please contact Bev Lindsey (see details below) or take a look at last year's video clip or our photo gallery of the event.
Partners in Business
Driving us to seek meaningful and relevant partnerships with employers, voluntary organisations and learning providers is the need to provide opportunities for our young people to understand and gain experiences about the world of work and to instill values of independent responsibility and economic wellbeing. The Academy has proven success and lasting partnerships with organisations of all shapes and sizes that share their time and expertise to bring the world of work into the classroom. If you are a company or organisation and would like to find out more please contact Bev Lindsey on 01733 426046. Please check out our Partners in Business webpage for more details.
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Contacting the i.can.be.. team:
Bev Lindsey - Partnership and Career Development Manager (Years 7-11)
Tel: 01733 426046 bev.lindsey@thomasdeaconacademy.com
Joanna Throne - Career Coach (Years 7-11)
Tel: 01733 426046 joanna.throne@thomasdeaconacademy.com
Sixth Form Careers and Education Guidance
Debbie Verdino - Post 16 Manager and HE adviser (Year 12-13)
Tel: 01733 426060 debbie.verdino@thomasdeaconacademy.com