Careers
Our Careers Education and Work Experience Programmes are led by our Careers and Work Experience Manager. ‘Opportunity for All’ is our guiding principle and we are proud of our successes in delivering on the Gatsby Benchmarks – the basis of the statutory guidance The Government has set out for Careers Education in schools:
1: A stable careers program.
2: Learning from career and labour market information.
3: Addressing the needs of each pupil.
4: Linking Curriculum learning to careers.
5: Encounters with employers and employees.
6: Experiences of the workplace.
7: Encounters with further and higher education.
8: Personal guidance.
We work closely with the Enterprise Oxfordshire team (previously OxLEP) and the Careers and Enterprise Company to review our provision each ‘long term’ and plan improvements.
CAREERS PROGRAMME
King Alfred's Academy seeks to maximise the life chances of all our young people by supporting, engaging and inspiring learners to build resilience, curiosity and aspirations. We believe in opportunity for all and strive to enable all students to achieve their full potential to develop their knowledge and talents so that they can fulfil their future ambitions.
The following document outlines how the Academy intends to support our students to achieve this overall aim including specific aims, objectives, actions and intended outcomes.
The careers programme was re-written in July 2025 and will be reviewed on a yearly basis.
Cambrian Learning Trust Policy Documents
Careers Guidance
As a parent you are expected to have all the answers, but in a constantly evolving world it can be a struggle to keep up with the latest options out there. Are apprenticeships right for your child? Should they be considering BTECs, A levels or T levels? How can you guide your child to make choices at GCSE and A Level that will set them up for a brighter future?
For that reason, we employ an independent careers advisor to offer a further level of one-to-one support for you and your child. All Year 11 students are offered a 1-2-1 appointment and following this a report is sent to both the student and parent/carer to understand the conversation that was had and contains useful links. If you would like to discuss this report or would like to request an appointment, students or parents/carers can contact the Careers Manager at kacareersadmin@kas.cambrianlt.org who will make an appointment with our independent career advisor.
Year 11 Destinations (Post-16) 2024-25
King Alfred's Sixth Form 47%
FE College 40%
Apprenticeships 3%
Other 10%
Local Labour Market Information
Parents often come to us in search of advice for their children, whether it is about progression options after school, a change of direction during their studies, or what support is available for them. Useful information is available via the following link:
This website, developed by the Careers Writers Association, has lots of useful information for parents looking for impartial and clear advice on careers.
SEND careers Information Hub
This Information Hub area gives you lots of useful information about where you can study Post-16. It will also give you information about local colleges with SEND provision as well as specialist colleges. This area also offers support and information about the local offer, training providers, supported internships, Disability Confident employers, and other useful information about gaining employment in the future. Finally, there is a section of career resources to help you prepare for your future and a video resource directory.
Apprenticeships
King Alfred’s Academy actively promotes apprenticeships and have previously been awarded ‘Highly Commended‘ for the work that is done in this area. Useful information for parents and careers on apprenticeships can be found below:
- Advice on applying for apprenticeships vlog
- Advice on degree apprenticeships vlog
- Apprenticeship advice for Oxfordshire students – Oxme and Oxfordshire Apprenticeships
- Apprenticeship advice for over 18s – National Careers Service
- Apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship vacancies – Not Going To Uni, Find an apprenticeship and Higher and degree apprenticeships
- How much do you know about apprenticeships? quiz
https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/advice/apprenticeships-parents