Careers guidance is a big focus at Chaselea Alternative Provision Academy, as we want every student to be fully prepared for life after school. We will endeavour to provide quality careers education, advice and guidance to help develop our students’ values, skills and behaviours. Our careers programme will be subject to ongoing monitoring and evaluation and is mapped to the Gatsby Benchmarks of good careers guidance, which include:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
Chaselea Alternative Provision Academy work closely with the Careers and Enterprise Company working towards the Gatsby Benchmark. The link below shows our latest Compass+ evaluation against the Gatsby Benchmarks.
We will provide our students with opportunities to visit workplaces and regularly take students to view appropriate courses at local colleges to give them a taste of further education.
In Year 10 and 11 particularly, students will have regular meetings with our Careers Advisor who offers guidance to students and works with them to create personalised Careers Action Plans. This is Mrs Taylor who can be contacted via the school`s switchboard (she works with pupils once a week, and is available by telephone)
Year 11’s are offered ongoing one to one support to ensure they make a successful transition into their chosen option. Our adviser monitors their progress annually beyond year 11, until their 19th birthday. We work closely with Entrust and the local authority around transition to support this process. Entrust offer continued support if needed to our post 16 students.
At Chaselea, our careers lead is Mrs L. Avery.
To make contact please either email l.avery@chaselea.mhat.org.uk or ring on 01543 227095.
The careers page information will next be reviewed in July 2026.
Below are a selection of weblinks which we feel may be of benefit to our young people and their parents/carers.
General
https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/restrictions-on-child-employment
Up to date information relating to working hour regulations for children and young people.
National Citizenship service offer self-discovery Summer activity programmes designed for young people aged between 15 to 17 years.
A webpage designed to support students through school life including career research, employer feedback, revision techniques, option awareness, recording and logging work experience and learning about HE and university life. This page has a wealth of information on offer to both students but also their parents/carers.
Below are a selection of weblinks which we feel may be of benefit to our young people and their parents/carers.
General
https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/restrictions-on-child-employment
Up to date information relating to working hour regulations for children and young people.
National Citizenship service offer self-discovery Summer activity programmes designed for young people aged between 15 to 17 years.
A webpage designed to support students through school life including career research, employer feedback, revision techniques, option awareness, recording and logging work experience and learning about HE and university life. This page has a wealth of information on offer to both students but also their parents/carers.
Post 16 Options
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
A national database of apprenticeship vacancies. The main tool for apprenticeship search in and our local area. Registration is necessary for applications. Your careers adviser can help with apprenticeship application processes.
https://www.findapprenticeships.co.uk/
Another useful site for searching for local apprenticeship opportunities.
Further Education Colleges and Sixth Form
Visiting local Sixth Form and FE college websites provides the most comprehensive reflection of course availability. Open events are available across the academic year.
Training Providers and Study Programmes
Speak to your Careers adviser for details of local training providers and study programmes available locally.
Labour Market Information
Labour market information collated by Staffordshire County Council in relation to skills and employment trends in and around Staffordshire.
Official labour market statistics to support learning more about employment patterns in your area.
Staffordshire Jobs & Careers
Your tomorrow, here today. Jobs, careers, training and opportunities in one place
Higher Education and University Life
A site used for exploring higher education options and submitting applications.
https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/
A wealth of information about university courses across the UK.
Job hunting
https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch
https://www.indeed.co.uk/
https://www.wmjobs.co.uk/
https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/
https://www.jobsite.co.uk/
https://www.monster.co.uk/
A small list of job search pages to help develop a better understanding of the world of work. These also provide useful links for CV building, application processes and interview skills.
National Apprenticeship Week – Big Apprenticeship Expo
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Year 10 and Year 11 pupils will take part in the Big Apprenticeship Expo, visiting Stafford College to explore a wide range of apprenticeship pathways.
During the visit, pupils will engage with college staff, training providers, and employers to gain a clearer understanding of:
- What apprenticeships are and how they work
- Entry requirements and progression routes
- The balance between employment, training, and study
- Local and regional apprenticeship opportunities
The experience supports pupils to make informed decisions about their post-16 options and links directly to our careers education programme, reinforcing the importance of aspirational pathways, employability skills, and positive transitions into education, employment, or training.
This visit forms part of our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, impartial careers guidance and ensuring pupils are well prepared for their next steps.
NHS Health Careers Fair – Institute of Technology, Stafford
Chaselea pupils recently attended the NHS Health Careers Fair at the Institute of Technology Stafford, where they explored a wide range of career pathways within the NHS, such as Nursing , Paramedic, Podiatrist and many more.
Pupils engaged with professionals from across the NHS, gaining insight into the variety of roles available, entry routes, and progression opportunities within the health sector. The event encouraged meaningful discussion around further education, training routes, and apprenticeships, supporting pupils to develop a clearer understanding of future career options.
This visit formed part of our commitment to providing high-quality careers education, helping pupils make informed decisions about their next steps and broadening their awareness of opportunities within essential public services.
We are pleased to welcome Vicky Bower to Chaselea. Vicky is a Careers and Participation Team Member within the Skills and Employability Team.
In the short time Vicky has been supporting Chaselea pupils, she has already worked closely with Year 11, helping them with career decision-making, post-16 pathways, and next-step planning. Vicky will shortly begin working with Year 10 pupils, ensuring early and informed engagement with careers education and progression planning.
Her involvement strengthens our commitment to providing high-quality, impartial careers guidance and supporting positive transitions into education, employment, or training.
Year 11 Work Experience Success
Work Experience Week, held from 15–19 December 2025, was a very successful opportunity for our Year 11 pupils. Chaselea pupils demonstrated excellent commitment, maturity, and professionalism while representing themselves and the school positively within a range of workplace settings.
Throughout the week, pupils developed key employability skills, including communication, teamwork, punctuality, and resilience. The experience supported pupils to gain a realistic understanding of the workplace and helped them build confidence in preparation for their next steps beyond school.
We are extremely proud of how Chaselea pupils conducted themselves during work experience and the positive feedback received reflects their readiness for future education, employment, and training.