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Careers and Employability

At MEA, our careers programme is based on Gatsby Benchmarks which is a key framework for practice in school and colleges.

The table below shows the range of careers and employability opportunities available to students across the whole school.

Each opportunity has been signposted to the following Gatsby Benchmarks:

Gatsby benchmark   Year 11 
A stable career programme  
  • MEA has a stable and well-structured careers programme that has been approved by the schools Governors. 

  • The careers programme is published on the school’s website so students, parents, teachers and employers can access and understand it 

  • It is regularly evaluated with feedback from students, parents, teachers and employers as part of the evaluation process 

Learning from careers and labour market information 
  • Careers Assembly 

  • Labour Market Assembly/ form time PPT 

  • Tutor time careers focus 

  • Links to GMACS (Greater Manchester Apprenticeship and Careers Service) in form time 

  • Career Education – FF: Now MEA and Beyond 

  • College Application Workshops 

  • National Apprenticeship Week Assembly and Activities 

  • UK University Apprenticeships search fair 

Addressing the needs of each pupil 
  • Careers drop-in sessions break, lunch and after school 

  • Career Education – FF: Now MEA and Beyond 

  • College Application Workshops 

  • Elevate study skills programme 

  • MUF mentoring and guidance 

  • UA92 workshops. 

Linking curriculum learning to careers 
  • European Day of Language (exploring the importance of languages) 

  • Careers Fair 

  • STEM week 

Encounters with employers and employees 
  • Lloyds Mentoring 

  • Mentoring programmes 

  • Interview Skills session 

  • Mock interviews 

  • National Apprenticeship Week Assembly and Activities 

  • National Careers Week 

  • Employability Skills form time focus. 

  • Apprenticeship Workshops – Manchester College, and the Growth Company 

  • UA92 workshops. 

  • UK University Apprenticeships search fair 

Experiences of workplaces   
Encounter with Further Higher Education 
  • Careers drop-in sessions break, lunch and after school 

  • In person Gateway Event visit at MMU. (IAG programme) 

  • Loreto Virtual Assembly and support for college applications 

  • Why HE assembly 

  • College taster days  

  • The Growth Company Taster days 

Personal Guidance 
  • Careers Guidance Interview 

  • Career conversations (personal guidance) a part of form time focus/ assemblies 

  • Advice to parents and students at careers fairs and parents’ evenings 

  • Support on GCSE exam results day. 

  • Half termly email from Careers advisor to parents – providing links to further advice and guidance. 

The Careers Leader at MEA is Ms Yates, Assistant Vice Principal.  If you require any further information about our careers programme please contact Ms Yates via our main reception on 0161 499 2726.

Karin Positive Steps

Karin Davidson a careers advisor from Positive Steps is at the Academy every Tuesday and Wednesday to provide careers guidance on an appointment basis for Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.  Karin also offers a drop in session at break for all students.

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