Careers at Blackfriars Academy
At Blackfriars we work closely with the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Careers Hub to help provide a contextual Careers approach for our students. We are fully committed to working towards the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Careers Guidance.
We want our students to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes to manage their learning, progression and transition into adulthood.
We have an established range of effective careers guidance and transition activities which we hope will guide and support our students to achieve positive destinations such as further education, supported internships, training, adult care and supported living or employment.
Our Careers Strategy sets out our key approaches to enhance our programme
See the Careers Strategy in more detail here (include a link to the Careers Strategy and Action Plan)
Should you require further information about aspects of our Careers provision please contact our Careers Lead at school:
Our Strategic Careers Lead is:
Carmel Martin, Assistant Headteacher
Email: carmel.martin@blackfriars.set.org
Tel: 01782 987150
Careers at Blackfriars Academy
At Blackfriars Academy, we provide a planned, coherent and well ‑ sequenced careers programme that meets the needs of our pupils and prepares them effectively for adulthood. Our careers provision is developed in partnership with the Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Careers Hub to ensure it is responsive to local opportunities and labour market information.
The school is fully committed to meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Careers Guidance and to fulfilling its statutory duties under the DfE Careers Guidance and Access to Providers framework.
Our careers curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils:
- Have high but realistic aspirations
- Develop self‑understanding, independence and confidence
- Are prepared for the next stage of education, training or adult life
We place a strong emphasis on supporting learners with SEND to make informed choices and to understand the pathways available to them beyond Blackfriars Academy.
Careers education is embedded throughout the curriculum and reinforced through a wide range of careers guidance, employer engagement and transition activities. These are adapted to meet individual needs and are delivered in collaboration with families, employers and external agencies.
Students are supported to explore and progress towards appropriate destinations, including:
| Further education | Supported internships and vocational training |
| Employment | Adult care and supported living arrangements |
Careers guidance is impartial, personalised and age appropriate, ensuring pupils receive the support they need at key transition points.
Our careers programme supports pupils to:
- Develop employability and life skills
- Understand their next steps and how to access them
‘Blackfriars Academy prepares pupils well for the next stages of their education and life.’ (Ofsted Report, October 2023)
Careers Strategy
Our Careers Strategy and Action Plan clearly set out how our provision is reviewed and developed to ensure continuous improvement and strong outcomes for pupils. Find it using the link below: