Published On: April 11, 2024|574 words|3 min read|
Outwood Quality in Careers

Outwood Academy Adwick has achieved the Quality in Careers Standard (QiCS) with support from Progress Careers.

The Academy’s journey to achieving the QiCS showcases a significant commitment to providing exceptional Career Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG). This case study highlights their partnership with Progress Careers and their journey to achieving this standard.

Background

Outwood Academy Adwick, part of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust, is a mixed secondary school and sixth form located in Woodlands, South Yorkshire, England.

The Academy has always been dedicated to supporting its students in achieving success. With a comprehensive approach to education that includes rigorous academic preparation and a strong support system for personal development. Pursuing the Quality in Careers Standard was a natural step forward in this ongoing effort.

Despite the Academy’s strong foundations in student support and careers guidance, achieving the Quality in Careers Standard presented unique challenges. These included integrating a comprehensive CEIAG programme that met the standard’s criteria, ensuring that all students received personalised guidance, and demonstrating a measurable impact on student outcomes.

Quality in Careers Standard

The partnership

Outwood Academy partnered with Progress Careers over 10 years ago to enhance their existing careers provision. We worked with them to provide impartial advice and guidance, mock interviews, career cafes and other activities such as careers fairs and parent events.

In addition to offering career advice and guidance, our team of Advisers and consultants have supported the Academy in completing their portfolio and assessing their CEIAG programme for the QiCS.

Rachel Crowder, Operations Manager at Progress Careers, said:

“It has been a pleasure working with Outwood Academy Adwick to achieve the Quality in Career Standard. With our support, the Career Lead has worked tirelessly to embed careers across the Academy, providing a high-quality careers programme for their students.”

“Our Careers Adviser has built up a strong relationship with the key stakeholders within the Academy and fantastic rapport with the students, which has enabled us to support the wider careers programme in addition to delivering 1:1 information, advice, and guidance.”

“It has been great to witness the progress made by a consistent staff member within the Career Lead role, demonstrating how important a close working relationship between Progress Careers and the whole Academy is.”

The outcome

The achievement of the Quality in Careers Standard acknowledges the Academy’s dedication to providing their students with high-quality support and guidance, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future careers.

Julie Slater, Chief Executive Principal, Secondary, expressed her delight at the achievement:

“We are thrilled to announce that Outwood Academy Adwick has achieved the national Quality in Careers Standard. This standard is a recognition for the important role the Academy plays in helping students develop their knowledge, skills, and experience so they can go out into the world and achieve personal success.”

The success at Outwood Academy Adwick was not an isolated case. All Outwood Academies are working with Progress Careers either whilst maintaining the award or working towards accreditation. This is a testament not only to the commitment from the trust but the dedication and focus from the team at Progress Careers to support each school through such a rigorous assessment.

Conclusion

Outwood Academy Adwick’s achievement of the Quality in Careers Standard, with the support of Progress Careers, is a testament to the power of dedicated teamwork and expert guidance in shaping the future of careers advice. It signifies a commitment to student success and sets a benchmark for other schools aiming to elevate their CEIAG programmes.

Does your school need a careers partner?

Are you looking for a friendly Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance partner? Well look no further. Drop our team a line and we can arrange a suitable date and time to discuss your specific school needs.