Outwood Academy Portland (OA Portland) is celebrating a significant achievement, having been awarded the Quality in Careers Standard (QiCS). This accomplishment recognises the school’s commitment to providing a robust and comprehensive careers programme for its students, that covers all aspects of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). Through partnering with Progress Careers, OA Portland was able to further boost their career provision to qualify for this accolade.
Background
OA Portland, part of the Outwood Academies Trust, is a secondary school with academy status, in Worksop, North Nottinghamshire. It has a mixed intake of over 1,700 boys and girls ages 11–18 with a comprehensive admissions policy.
They are a school that have consistently prioritised student success. Earning an “Outstanding” rating from Ofsted, the academy embodies the Trust’s core values: ‘putting students first, raising standards, and transforming lives.’ This dedication extends to career preparation, ensuring students are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the ever-changing world of work.
The Partnership
Recognising the need for expert guidance, OA Portland partnered with Progress Careers 12 years ago, when they joined the trust, to improve their career provision and provide the best possible CEIAG for their students. They set out with the desire to positively support all students to gain the necessary social, educational, and employability skills that would allow them to successfully navigate the working world.
One of their key focuses is providing a careers programme that is tailored to each student, taking into account their individual interests. OA Portland wanted to be able to provide their students with expert advice from trained career professionals which led to their partnership with Progress Careers.
Working together, OA Portland was able to further support their students career development. Career Advisers from Progress Careers offer impartial, personalised guidance, backed up with localised Labour Market Information (LMI) to offer a well-rounded, robust career provision. The mix of one-to-one meetings with their career adviser and the opportunity to attend events such as career fairs, has given the students a more expansive career programme.
The Outcome
Through this collaborative effort, OA Portland successfully delivered a careers programme that met the rigorous standards of the QiCS. Students are now better prepared to explore potential career paths, make informed decisions about their futures, and confidently navigate the job market after leaving education.
Rachel Crowder, representing Progress Careers, proudly presented the school with the QiCS award, acknowledging their hard work and dedication:
“It was brilliant to be able to present OA Portland with their QiCS, they really worked hard to achieve this accomplishment!”
Danielle Sheehan, Head of School at OA Portland, said:
“I am so proud of the hard work and dedication of staff at Outwood Academy Portland, they truly believe in the power of careers curriculum. They work regularly with outside agencies to inspire students, and at as many opportunities as possible, talk about careers in their subject areas.”
Conclusion
The success story of OA Portland and Progress Careers highlights the importance of a dedicated team focused on student career development. By partnering with expert advisers and prioritising personalised guidance, schools can empower their students to achieve their full potential when choosing their next steps, a worthy goal recognised by the QiCS award. OA Portland partnering with Progress Careers serves as a testament to their commitment to student success and sets a new standard for other schools looking to enhance their CEIAG programmes.
