Careers Education

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance is an entitlement for ALL of our learners from Year 7 onward. In working on the “Presumption of employability for all,” it is imperative that our learners are well-equipped and prepared for this. With this in mind, we have created our own Quest Academy Careers Charter and this has been forwarded to all of our learners and their parents so that they understand the commitment that we wish to make through their time with us.

All parents /carers are able to access detailed information about careers through LTPs found in this area of our website :

At Quest, we have developed a curriculum offer that sees a range of vocational opportunities on offer in recognition of this route being a likely pathway for many of our learners. With qualifications in areas such as Hospitality and Catering, Music Technology, Media and Sport, not only do these appeal to the interests of our learners but in addition they complement the reliable labour market information (LMI) data for our locality in terms of workforce need.

January 2018 saw the introduction of new statutory guidance for careers. The eight Gatsby benchmarks that underpin the statutory guidance are shown below, and we measure the impact of our provision against this through the use of the Careers Compass Tool:

1. A stable careers programme
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 workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

In January 2023 the Careers guidance and access for education and training was updated with the new statutory PAL legislation. This can be viewed on the Quest Academy website.

Discrete careers lessons are offered to all learners across Years 7 through to 11. In looking to ensure that learners are engaged in accessing a wide variety of information and guidance, we have opted to use an organisation called Indigo. They have developed a web based package that allows our learners to identify their skills, qualities and attributes and will match career opportunities to these. With over 600 careers offered in great detail, learners are able to access high quality and up to date information wherever and whenever they wish to. 

In Years 10 and 11, we recognise the need to make the world of work as “real” as possible and will actively encourage our learners to access a work experience placement. Due to the structure of our school build, this can happen either within our own premises, or, at an external work place with guidance and support. Furthermore, we recognise the importance of involving employers from a wide range of subject sector areas and exposing our learners to the opportunity to question them as only they can.

In offering a curriculum with a strong vocational emphasis and to ensure that we are compliant with section 42B of the Education Act 1997 (Baker Clause) we have sought to create clear links with the Further Education colleges that exist within the Warwickshire region. As such, our current Year 11 learners follow a 7-month transition programme in which they access their local college to learn more about the world of Further Education, the differences and opportunities it offers and to support them in making an informed decision about their Post 16 aspirations. We are proud to work so closely with “Warwickshire Colleges Group” and “North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College” in this way.

It is the aim of Quest Academy that all learners should leave the school at age 16 safe in the knowledge that they will be accessing either a local college course, a training provider, an apprenticeship or a supported internship.

The review of our careers education offer is a regular feature of our provision. This takes many forms but includes a yearly strategic development plan, shared practice conversations with other schools, reviews of the requirements of the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure we are exceeding expectations wherever possible and the use of our careers adviser for external validation.

Furthermore, learner voice plays a significant part in the shaping of our provision and evaluations of such opportunities as careers interviews, presentations and resources are gathered from our learners, analysed and used to drive improvement. The impact of our careers curriculum and our work with the CEIAG (Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance) Advisor is evidenced through learner questionnaires and level of mastery of our Odyssey statements within our bespoke assessment system. 

Post 16 Destinations:

Much work was undertaken to ensure that our learners were successful in gaining a positive transition to a Post 16 Provider. Please see below for last year's learner destinations.

Surname	First Name	Year in Sept 22	Going on to….
A	A	12	WCG Leamington Spa College
B	B	12	WCG Rugby College
C	C	12	Weston-Super-Mare College
D	D	12	Hereward College
E	E	12	North Warwickshire/ South Leicester College
F	F	12	Poppy Field Residential, Wolverhampton
G	G	12	WCG Rugby College
H	H	12	Discovery 6th Form
I	I	12	Hereward College

Our Careers Leader can be contacted by phone: 

Telephone number :01788593112

 Joan Goodrich also support learners with their next steps in terms of finding suitable work experience placements and Post 16 Transition.Opportunities for Access

The school offers a comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance programme and an overview of this programme can be seen in the Careers Long Term Plan which can be seen below.

Please speak to our Careers Leader to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.

The school will make a suitable space available for discussions between the provider and learners, as appropriate to the activity. The school will also make available ICT and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Leader or a member of their team.

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature with the Careers Leader so that they can be displayed in the Careers Section of the school library.

Provider Access Policy

Quest is committed to providing high quality careers guidance and advice. Our Careers Education, Impartial Advice and Guidance Policy (review date July 2022) gives details of how training providers can visit the school to offer eligible students information and advice about career pathways.