North Oxfordshire Academy > Learning > Personal Development and Careers > Careers

KS3 How Can Unifrog Help Me

There is a comprehensive KS3 PSHCE programme around careers that is delivered through the tutor programme. As well as presentations, videos and information, students are asked to engage in class discussion or paired work and complete a careers tutor booklet so that they have evidence of their thinking and reflections.

Careers in the curriculum is vitally important so that students can link their current learning within their subjects to later careers. Around the academy, there are subject specific careers boards that highlight university and local apprenticeship routes, as well as past student successes and how they have used that subject to springboard their careers.

All KS3 students have access to Unifrog during tutor lessons and careers lessons. Students can also access Unifrog from home or on their mobile devices. Unifrog enables students to explore the range of career pathways; careers and subject searches; look up universities, courses, and apprenticeships; and record their activities, competencies, and interactions. There are quizzes to complete to help direct the research and regular themed sessions such as ‘Green’ week and careers in this sector.

Year 7

The year 7 programme is about engaging with careers early so they can make better informed decisions throughout their time at NOA. They will be introduced to the careers library and how to use it as well as engaging in a careers PSHCE programme and other activities.

As part of this programme, students will understand that the careers market is constantly changing, and that employability and transferable skills are going to become ever more important. They will be introduced to what these skills are and how they can develop them, understand the different types of work and what workplace behaviours are. They will also be encouraged to dispel stereotypes around careers and will be exposed to a broadening of careers perspectives and labour market information.

Students will also have some opportunity to meet with employers, businesses, training, and further education through our Extended Tutor provision as well as via assemblies.

Where applicable, access to 1to1 careers guidance is also possible.

Year 8

The year 8 programme follows on from year 7, with how skills can be evidenced to match career roles. It is centred on identifying their goals and motivation and understanding how to achieve the type of lifestyle and career they desire. The importance of planning post 16 and post 18.

In year 8, the students are encouraged to look at why communication is important alongside identifying their own character values. We will also explore growth and fixed mindset as well as why the employability skills resilience, oracy and critical thinking are advantageous in the workplace.

Where applicable, access to 1to1 careers guidance is also possible.

Year 9

The year 9 programme is important as this is the time that year 9 choose their options. As part of the careers process, students have a ‘meaningful careers conversation’ with a qualified level 6 independent careers adviser, where in a small group they will take a quiz, get to discuss their interests, look at Labour Market Information (LMI) and begin to identify how their skills and interests might link to a career they might enjoy in the future.

As part of ensuring the careers tutor programme prepares the students for the option process, the PSHCE careers programme looks at the careers and skills relevance of curriculum subjects and the range of option pathways available post 16 and post 18.

In year 9 we continue to have a variety of experiences linked to careers through extended tutor, with guest speakers, workshops, and assemblies with employers, colleges, and universities. We aim to have a university visit in either year 9 or 10.

All students in Y9 attend the Futures Fair that is held at NOA. This is an opportunity for students to meet local employers, talk to current apprentices, colleges, universities, and training providers.