Students

Sometimes thinking about your future can be difficult. Let’s face it, you’re caught up in the here and now. Why think about something that’s two, five or even seven years away when you’ve got Fortnite, Facebook and friends to occupy your thoughts! Hopefully though, this page, and our excellent careers programme will help to take away some of that difficulty. We want you to leave Cumbria Academy for Autism knowing where you’re going next, and exactly how you’re going to get there!

Whether you choose to complete an apprenticeship or advanced apprenticeship; or you want to move onto Further Education colleges such as Lakes College or Carlisle College, we can help.

If you’re struggling to think about your future, speak to your Form Tutor, they can point you in the right direction. Alternatively, if you want more specific advice, speak to Miss Hedley who will be happy to give you advice.

 

Key Stage 1 and 2

In the Sea’s classes, you will have visits from local employers and public services e.g. fire service, police and ambulance. You will also be introduced to careers through role-play exercises and themes within the curriculum subjects.  

Key Stage 3

In years 7 to 9, we will give you access to encounters with local employers every year to ensure you gain a basic understanding of how companies work in communities and the workforce/career opportunities that they offer.

You will have the opportunity to take part in Enterprise projects (e.g. Dream Scheme), which will give you an understanding of business and enterprise, and the various ways people have become successful by setting up their own enterprises.

You will take part in a World of Work Week, which will involve further encounters with local employers and workshops linking curriculum subjects with careers.

When it comes to making informed decisions about your future, in year 9 we will discuss option subjects within life skills lessons and use Kudos to link careers with pupils’ skills and interests.

Key Stage 4

We will ensure that every pupil in Key Stage 4 has at least one meaningful interview with a professional and impartial careers advisor.

We will get more tailored, specific talks from employers, based on the pathways you indicate to us.

You will have access to Kudos and will learn how to create a CV and write covering letters.

You will develop an Autism Passport and build a Record of Achievement.

You will have access to further Enterprise projects.

You will have the opportunity to visit a University.

You will take part in a World of Work Week, which will involve encounters with local employers, workshops linking curriculum subjects to careers and visits from inspirational adults with autism. During this week, you will also take part in mock interviews with outside employers.

All pupils in year 10 will have a work experience visit/week in the summer term.

In year 11, you will get to visit the local FE colleges and apprenticeship providers. You will also have a visit from advisors dealing with independent living arrangements.

Some General Advice for Pupils

https://kudos.cascaid.co.uk/#/ Kudos will give you all the information you need to make important decisions about future careers and training you can do to reach your career destination. It includes a questionnaire, 'My Future’ that helps you match their interests and qualification aspirations to a list of suitable careers. License code is: cookopen20 – then create your own username and password.

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. See job profiles for information on over 800 jobs, helping you ensure you have the right skills and qualifications.

https://icould.com/ icould provides career inspiration and information by providing different ways to think about careers. You can freely access over 1000 personal video stories, detailed job information, plus practical tips, insight and advice.

https://targetcareers.co.uk/ Investigate careers that interest you and decide whether to do an apprenticeship or go to university, then get applying.

Further Education Colleges and Sixth Forms

Lakes College: https://www.lcwc.ac.uk/  

Carlisle College: http://www.carlisle.ac.uk/

UTC: https://www.energycoastutc.co.uk/

Kendal College: https://kendal.ac.uk/

Furness College: https://www.furness.ac.uk/

Lancaster and Morecambe College: https://www.lmc.ac.uk/  

Apprenticeship providers and trainers

https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/#  National Apprenticeship Service

https://www.gen2.ac.uk/  They recruit Engineering, Business Administration, Customer Service, Teaching Assistant including Higher Level and Degree apprentices for some of the larger companies in the County.

https://www.inspira.org.uk/next-steps-after-year-11-and-year-13 Provides links to other apprenticeship providers

Higher Education

https://www.ucas.com/ provides details of all Higher Education Institutions, courses available and the application process.

https://www.gov.uk/education/funding-and-finance-for-students Information on student fees and loans

https://www.push.co.uk/ The leading independent guide to UK universities which provides a guide to UK universities, student life, gap years, open days and student finance

https://university.which.co.uk/ What to study, where to go and how to get there.

http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/ University of Cumbria