At the heart of our career’s education is the belief that every young person, regardless of their individual challenges, deserves the opportunity to explore, aspire to, and achieve a fulfilling future. Inspired by The Discovery Academy's commitment to creating "a place where everybody feels safe, valued and belongs," our careers programme is designed to:

• Provide a nurturing environment that supports individual growth.
• Offer quality-first provision tailored to each student's needs.
• Prepare students to be ready for life beyond school.

Discovery Academy believes it is vitally important to deliver a comprehensive careers education and guidance programme across the school so that learners can build self-awareness and have the information and guidance needed to make informed decisions about their future pathways.

Our careers education offer is reviewed regularly. 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
• Use of our career adviser for external validation.
• Compass+ Evaluations in line with The Careers and Enterprise requirements.
• Learner voice and questionnaires
• Parental and staff questionnaires

All documentation related to our careers programme, including policies, can be viewed in this area of our website.

Gatsby Benchmarks

The Gatsby Benchmarks are eight evidence-based standards that define what world-class careers guidance looks like for young people in secondary education across England. The benchmarks were designed to ensure equitable access to high-quality career support and have since been embedded into government careers strategy and statutory guidance.

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

These guidelines help structure a cohesive careers programme at Discovery, ensuring students receive the opportunities and support they deserve.

 

In 2025, The Gatsby Benchmarks were updated with the following guidance:

• Careers at the heart of education and leadership: Embedding careers guidance across staff roles, governance, and institutional vision
• Inclusion and impact for each young person: Specific emphasis on SEND and disadvantaged students
• Meaningful and varied encounters and experiences: Balancing in-person and virtual, with preparation and reflection built in.
• Information and data use: Focusing on aspirations, destinations, and tailoring support through data-informed decisions
• Engagement of parents and carers: Involving families proactively in career discussions

All information and updates can be viewed here: The Careers and Enterprise Company

 

In January 2023, the new statutory PAL Provider Access legislation (PAL) was introduced. This legislation requires all schools and academies to provide opportunities for a range of education and training providers to have access to pupils, ensuring they are informed about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships. 

Discovery Academy’s Provider Access Policy Statement can be viewed on the careers page of this website.

Curriculum

At Discovery, 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, Enterprise, Construction and Travel and tourism, 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 needs.

Discrete careers lessons are offered to all learners across Years 5 through to 14. We look to ensure that learners are engaged in accessing a wide variety of information and guidance. We have the support of a number of external partners, including the Careers and Enterprise Company. 

Skills we actively promote throughout Discovery are vital for a person being fully equipped for the working world. These skills are:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Problem-Solving
• Creativity
• Staying Positive
• Aiming High
• Leadership
• Teamwork

Work Experience

In Year 11 and P16, 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 relating to their interests. We work alongside large companies such as the NHS and Seven Trent as well as local businesses and charities to offer a vast range of experiences to our students.

In line with the government’s 2025 commitment to offer all students between Year 7 and Year 11 at least 10 days of valuable work experience, we currently have plans in place to meet the deadline of 2029.

 

Careers Advice

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance is an entitlement for ALL of our learners. In working on the “Presumption of employability for all,” it is imperative that our learners are well-equipped and prepared for this.

Our learners will meet with a qualified Level 6 (or above) Careers Advisor in Year 11 and again in Year 13.

Further Education

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 strong links with the Further Education colleges that exist within the Warwickshire region and surrounding areas. We regularly meet with colleges to receive updates on their offer and engage in open events that take place for students.

It is the aim of Discovery Academy that all learners should leave the school safe in the knowledge that they have the skills and ability to access either a local college course, a training provider, an apprenticeship or a supported internship.

        

Post 16 Destinations:

Surname	First Name	Year in Sept 25	Going on to….
A	A	12	NWSLC Nuneaton
B	B	12	Solihull College
C	C	12	Tamworth College
D	D	14	NWSLC Hinckley
E	E	12	NWSLC Nuneaton
F	F	12	Mencap Internship

 

Each year work is undertaken to ensure that our learners are successful in gaining the college / provision of their choosing as well as a positive transition to a Post 16 Provider. Our close connections with local FE, allow us to create a smoother transition. Please see above for previous learner destinations.

Roxanne Ashby, our dedicated careers person, is committed to supporting learners and their families with their next steps in terms of Post 16 / further education transitions. As well as finding suitable work experience placements for students in Year 11–13 and the organisation of on-site and off-site careers events. Roxanne has a Level 6 qualification as a career lead and ensures Discovery stays up to date with all DFE and CEC updates regarding careers.

For any additional information or help required, please contact our careers team on:

discovery.careers@macintyreacademies.org

Telephone number: 02477103370