Careers

The information contained here will have relevance for students, teachers, parents and employers.

If you would like to find out more about Careers at Robert Barclay Academy or if you are interested in providing support, please contact our Careers Leader Mrs R Williams, Associate Assistant Headteacher.

Through our curriculum at RBA, we aim to develop ambitious students who are aspirational and fully prepared for their future lives beyond school in an ever changing world. We aim to promote an aspirational culture and encourage students and parents to engage with careers education in partnership with YC Herts, the Local Area Enterprise Partnership. Since 2018 we have had a close working relationship with Reynold’s food, who have provide assemblies work placements and interview preparation for our students.

In order to achieve this, there are a number of key events in careers information, advice and guidance on the journey through the school. In addition to year group activities, we also give parents information at planned events through the year and listen to student voice regarding careers education through an annual workshop and questionnaire. Each subject area displays posters about careers linked to that subject, alongside a central careers display (main corridor by the library) and dedicated area within the library.

The careers programme works with all students from year 7 to 13 and is focused on maintaining full compliance with Gatsby benchmarks for Careers Education and also recognise the Hertfordshire Skills Framework and encourage the development of these employability skills through the wider curriculum.

We are fully compliant with the Baker Clause and are very keen for all our students to gain knowledge about all of their future options.

RBA is keen to expand it’s careers provision to ensure that this year it fully meets the need of the Provider Access Legislation, that came into force in January 2023.

Careers Week:

Week March 2025

We will continue to build on the success of our previous careers’ weeks, below is a summary of our programme:

All subjects will be delivering careers-based lessons which will be delivered across all key stages
A wide range of virtual guest speakers, discussing their jobs and careers routes, with a focus on “Breaking stereotypes” with both women’s careers and those from a BAME background
Past pupils will be joining us virtually to discuss their post 16 and post 18 experiences
A range of activities will be explored during form time
Assembly opportunities for guest speakers to discuss careers

Key organisations supporting RBA careers provision:

Services for Young People www.servicesforyoungpeople.org/careers *RBA Personal Advisor* *Justine Herridge KS4*	Raise aspirations so that all RBA students ‘Aim High’ Provide qualified personal advisers to deliver careers interviews with students across the school Be on-hand each week to offer Careers drop-ins in the library (Tuesdays) Help to increase awareness of Careers Education through displays and presence across the school If students would like to arrange an extra appointment please contact your Head of Year.
Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership/ Careers and Enterprise Company www.hertfordshirelep.com www.careersandenterprise.co.uk *RBA Senior Enterprise Coordinator* *Chris Downton*	Raise aspirations and awareness so that all RBA students ‘Aim High’ Provide guidance, support, resources and strategy to assist in the delivery of effective Careers Education at RBA Be a challenge partner when co-reflecting on RBA’s progress towards achieving the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks.
Opportunities for Students https://www.hopinto.co.uk/ Rachel Williams Acting Assistant Headteacher	Find all your need to explore career opportunities in Hertfordshire - jobs, apprenticeships, support to make informed career decisions, explore the world of work in Hertfordshire, tips on gaining work experience, skills development and lots more....
Local Enterprise Industry Partner www.reynolds-cs.com *RBA LEP Advisor* *Meeta Khatani from Reynold’s Foods*	Raise aspirations and make Careers education ‘real’ so that all RBA students ‘Aim High’ Provide guidance and support from a local employer to give context, real-life experience and guidance to support Careers provision at RBA Careers talks from their staff give our students insights into the journeys that successful people have been on from sitting in an assembly hall at school to where they are today Visits to their premises with students in subject related areas, for example our Food and Nutrition GCSE students have worked in their ‘Development Kitchen’ and our KS5 Financial Studies students have visited their Finance and Accounts Department

Employer engagement: Can you help?

We are very keen to establish links with employers who will be able to open our students’ eyes to the world of work. We currently engage with a range of different employers through work shadowing placements for our Year 10 students. We welcome further support from employers from a range of industries. If you would like to help, please contact Mrs R Williams, Acting Assistant Headteacher.

Guidance for parents/carers:

Clearly parents and carers play a very significant role in helping students to make informed choices about their study options and decisions about their future careers. Parents and carers should be encouraged to discuss with their child about options and future aspirations. We welcome parents and carers’ input and recommend that you always attend activities at school such as GCSE and A-Level Options’ evenings. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach and we recognise that all students must be able to make informed decisions avoiding pre-conceived ideas or stereotypes. There are further suggested web-links at the end of this document that give useful additional information.

Careers programme is reviewed annually, next review September 2025.

Scholars' Education Trust Provider Access Statement

Careers Map

Careers Learning Journey

Gatsby Benchmark

At RBA we work to the ‘Gatsby Benchmark’ in order to fulfil our requirements to students about good careers guidance. Gatsby

Hertfordshire Skills Framework

We are also informed and utilise the Hertfordshire Skills Framework to guide our Careers provision based on the skills that local employers have recognised make good employees.

Personal & People	Hertfordshire Understanding
Motivation and ambition	Actively participate Show enthusiasm Knowledge of the sector Pursue aspirations and goals
Confidence	Willing to meet new people Able to hold conversations with peers, managers and customers Recognise own strengths and able to present these
Respect and good manners	Listen and learn Recognise the feelings of others Be polite Remain calm
Determination and resilience	Commitment to get things done Learn from mistakes and accept criticism Resist distractions Adapt to changes
Adaptability	Flexible to cope with changing demands Able to apply knowledge to different situations
Teamwork	Cooperate with others Recognise skills in others Value contribution from others
Technical & Practical Skills	Hertfordshire Understanding
Numeracy	Apply simple mathematical concepts Understand simple arithmetic Understand costs and expenditure
Literacy	Able to express yourself in writing Understanding of business etiquette verbally and in writing Able to explain yourself verbally
Business and customer awareness	Understand commercial realities Able to professionally communicate with customers Manage your time effectively
Analytical and problem- solving skills	Investigate systematically Identify problems Look for better ways and suggest solutions Plan and organise tasks
Digital technology	Understand the development in technology for business Basic knowledge of IT
Qualifications	Achieve qualifications valued by employers

Useful Websites (for students, parents and carers and teachers)

National Apprenticeship Service	https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship	Allows you to search for live apprenticeship vacancies across the country.
Amazing Apprenticeships	https://amazingapprenticeships.com/	Find out about apprenticeships as well as live vacancies.
YC Hertfordshire	https://www.ychertfordshire.org/	The leading provider of CEIAG provision for young people both inside and outside of school in Hertfordshire.
UCAS	https://www.ucas.com/	All you need to know about applying for university and the courses available for you.
Hertfordshire Labour Market Information	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxEnwYjtk5w	An infographic video to explain the types of jobs available and skills required in Hertfordshire
Hop into Hertfordshire	https://www.hopinto.co.uk/	Powered by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, students, employers, residents wishing to upskill, are now able to HOP into all the resources they need to make informed career decisions and build a future talent pipeline.