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Welcome

Welcome to our careers page. My name is Ms. Gisby, and I am the Careers Leader and Assistant Headteacher at Endeavour Co Operative Academy. It is my role to work collaboratively with students and parents as we navigate the exciting journey of careers. I aim to empower our students to make informed decisions about their futures and equip them with the skills necessary for success in the ever-evolving world beyond the classroom.

Our Careers vision is centred around the word ASCEND. This is a powerful word for a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) school careers program because it conveys growth, progress, and rising beyond challenges. It symbolises each student’s journey toward personal and professional development, overcoming barriers, and reaching new heights in their abilities. The word suggests a positive, upward trajectory, emphasising that all students, regardless of their needs, can rise and achieve success in their unique careers with the right support and guidance. It’s about moving upward step by step, which aligns well with the individualised, steady progress that is central to SEND education.

Over the years, our students will:

  • Gain a greater knowledge of the range of opportunities open to them.

  • Take part in work-related activities in and out of school.

  • Access unbiased information on current labour market information, trends, and expectations of employers.

  • Learn to make informed decisions about their futures.

  • Be fully prepared to manage change and supported through key transition periods.

  • Learn how to improve their employability: how to find work, how to get work, and how to ascend their careers.

Our Careers Vision...

Our careers programme is developed to meet the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks, which are enshrined in statutory guidance. 

Here’s how we adapt the Gatsby Benchmarks specifically for SEND students:

  1. A Stable Careers Programme:
    We provide a consistent and flexible careers programme tailored to the needs of each SEND student, ensuring ongoing review and collaboration with families. Our program is designed to evolve with the student as they progress through their education.

  2. Learning from Career and Labour Market Information (LMI):
    Accessible and simplified labour market information is provided, ensuring that SEND students and their families fully understand the opportunities available. This helps students make informed decisions about future career paths.

  3. Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil:
    Careers guidance is individualised, taking into account the unique challenges, strengths, and aspirations of each student. This includes ensuring that students are fully supported during key transitions, such as moving between educational phases or into employment.

  4. Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers:
    We ensure that subjects, such as horticulture and employability, are linked to real-world career opportunities. This allows SEND students to see how their learning is relevant and transferable to their future aspirations.

  5. Encounters with Employers and Employees:
    SEND students engage with a wide range of employers through carefully tailored experiences. These encounters help students understand the different sectors and roles available, ensuring that they are aspirational yet realistic.

  6. Experiences of Workplaces:
    We provide supported workplace experiences that are safe and suited to the individual needs of each student, including supported internships, volunteer roles, or other accessible settings where students can explore the world of work.

  7. Encounters with Further and Higher Education:
    Students are exposed to a range of post-school pathways, including higher education, apprenticeships, and supported internships. These encounters are tailored to their needs, helping them explore the full range of opportunities available after school.

  8. Personal Guidance:
    Every SEND student receives tailored, one-on-one careers guidance, ensuring that their individual challenges and aspirations are fully considered. Our expert careers advisors, such as Marion, provide ongoing support to ensure that students are well-prepared for their next steps.

By incorporating these benchmarks into our careers programme, we are confident that our students will ASCEND, reaching new heights in their personal and professional lives. Each student's path may be unique, but with the right support, they will be empowered to make informed, confident choices about their futures.

At Endeavour Co Operative Academy, we ensure that all students, regardless of their challenges, are prepared to ASCEND—step by step—toward their future goals.

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