The Academy
Careers should be transformational to the lives of young people. At Shireland Collegiate Academy careers will provide a platform for motivation, for students to aim higher, achieve more and reach their aspirations.
Please select the links below to find out more about our provision.
Shireland Collegiate Academy serves a socio-economically deprived area in Smethwick and it is within this context that we strive to raise our students’ ambitions: aiming higher and seeing further.
Our students are individuals, with their own unique combination of skills, qualities and attributes; one size does not fit all and so our careers programme aims to meet the needs of all our students. We aim to offer an insight into the world of work, higher education, further education, as well as apprenticeships and encourage our students and their families to explore all the possibilities. At regular stages during their school career we support them with impartial advice and guidance as they navigate their way through selecting courses at the different Key Stages.
OUR CEIAG TEAM
Mr A Reade - Careers Leader
Since joining Shireland Collegiate Academy in 1998, I’ve been proud to serve our school community and contribute to the innovative and supportive environment we offer. Over the years, I’ve taught Information Technology and Business Studies, helping students develop essential skills that prepare them for the future.
In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I have gained extensive experience in careers education, with a focus on providing students with a wide range of opportunities to explore their aspirations and make informed decisions about their next steps. I’m passionate about supporting their personal development and ensuring they have access to the guidance and resources they need to succeed and make informed decisions about their career paths.
It’s a privilege to work in a forward-thinking Academy that puts student growth and achievement at the heart of everything we do.
Ms A Begum - Careers Advisor and Enterprise coordinator
I joined Shireland Collegiate Academy in September 2023 and bring extensive experience in Careers Guidance and Development. I hold a Level 6 Diploma in Careers Guidance & Development and as of July 2024, have also completed my Postgraduate Certificate in Careers Leadership.
Before joining the academy, I spent five years as a National Careers Service Advisor, working on a range of government-funded projects. This experience has given me a strong foundation in delivering high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance to both young people and adults.
In my role here, I lead both group sessions and one-on-one meetings, offering tailored guidance to help students explore and understand their options – from GCSEs, A Levels, BTECs, and T Levels to Further Education, Higher Education, and Apprenticeships. I also work closely with students to foster entrepreneurial thinking and help them develop essential enterprise skills.
A key part of my role involves connecting students with local businesses and creating meaningful opportunities to explore the world of work. Whether it’s identifying skills gaps, planning next steps, or aiming for long-term goals, I’m here to support each student in discovering and achieving their individual career ambitions.
My mission is to help every student Aim Higher, See Further and Be Concerned for All. If you ever want to discuss your career or enterprise options, feel free to come and see me in the sixth form building upstairs in the careers room. I look forward to supporting you on your journey.
If you would like to make contact with a member of the team please use the following email address: careers@collegiateacademy.org.uk
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Policy (CEIAG)
Policy Statement: Careers should be transformational to the lives of young people. At Shireland
Collegiate Academy careers will provide a platform for motivation, for students to aim higher,
achieve more and reach their aspirations
Click here to view a copy of our Careers Policy
Provider Access Statement (Formally the Baker Clause)
Schools are required to ensure that there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access students in years 8 to 13 for the purposes of informing them about approved technical education, qualifications, or apprenticeships.
Schools must provide a minimum of 6 encounters with technical education or training providers to all pupils in years 8 to 13 (see more detail in section 2.1 below).
Schools must also have a policy statement that outlines the circumstances in which education and training providers will be given access to these students.
This is outlined in section 42B of the Education Act 1997, the Skills and Post-16 Act 2022 and on page 43 of guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) on careers guidance and access for education and training providers.
This policy shows how our school complies with these requirements.
“Careers should be transformational to the lives of young people.
At Shireland Collegiate Academy careers will provide a platform for motivation,
for students to aim higher, achieve more and reach their aspirations.”
The information in this document provides an outline of the school’s taught provision
and an overview of the opportunity’s students at Shireland Collegiate Academy
receive.
Careers at Shireland is delivered through a range of means which can include:
- Using video clips to explore career opportunities
- Using a newspaper or magazine article to spark discussion
- Having an expert in to speak about something
- Promoting team working, communication skills and transferable skills
- Speaking to students about what they want to do when they leave school, and offering independent advice
- Asking students to think about what careers within subject areas look like
- Educational visits to workplaces, colleges, universities and others
- Career champion subject displays and learning journey profiles
- Inviting alumni and friends of the academy in to work with our young people
Please refer to the careers programme to find out how your students will have access to careers by year group.
Below you will find a range of resources suitable for engaging your children in discussion around careers:
Success at School:
https://successatschool.org/
Careers advice for parents:
https://www.careersadviceforparents.org/
http://www.parentadviser.co.uk/advice-for-parents.aspx#
https://targetcareers.co.uk/parents-and-teachers
https://inspiringfutures.org.uk/parents
Labour Market Information Birmingham:
https://www.connexionssandwell.co.uk/about-us/labour-market-information-lmi/
Labour Market Information West Midlands:
https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/gor/2013265925/report.aspx
General careers guidance:
www.icould.com
www.careerpilot.org.uk
www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
University and degree courses:
www.ucas.com
www.applytouni.com
www.university.which.co.uk
www.thestudential.com
Alternatives to university:
www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk
www.unisnotforme.com
Apprenticeships and School Leaver programmes:
www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/vacancies/
Studying abroad:
www.studential.com/applying/studying-abroad
www.fulbright.org.uk
Gap year:
www.gapyear.com
www.yearoutgroup.org
www.oysterworldwide.com
The Careers Programme at Shireland Collegiate Academy is delivered to Years 7 through to 13 via
- Careers Days
- Workshops
- Guest Speakers
- Tutor Sessions
- Careers Trips
- One on one careers interviews
- Work Experience
- PSHE Sessions
- Professionals’ Talks
- Group Talks by Employers, Universities and Training Providers
- Skills Development Activities
- Engagement in competitions and workshops
- Visits to Universities and Careers Events
We strive to follow the Gatsby Benchmarks
1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each student
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance
Key Stage 4 and 5 option choices
All Year 9 students receive a 1:1 appointment with our Careers Adviser during the first half of the Autumn Term to discuss the various course options available to them at Key Stage 4. Families are welcome to attend this meeting. Following on from this, all students attend a 1:1 meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership Team or Heads of Department to discuss their chosen courses ahead of starting their lessons in the Spring Term of Year 9.
In Year 11 students have the opportunity to choose from one of the following pathways:
- Full time study at a college, sixth form or training provider
- Full time work or volunteering combined with part time education of training
- An apprenticeship
- A traineeship
Careers Advice
Students receive impartial advice on their options, including access to Universities and local Colleges and Apprenticeship providers. Students are offered the opportunity to discuss their chosen pathway with the Careers Adviser and a Connexions Adviser.
More information
For more information on our careers programme you can contact us on info@collegiateacademy.org.uk or 0121 558 8086.
The careers programme will be reviewed in September 2025.
