Careers Guidance

We pride ourselves in an excellent programme of careers education, advice, information and guidance (CEAIG) at The Birley Academy. Students in every year group follow a programme delivered through a combination of assemblies, tutor time, PSHE and advice from an independent careers advisor. Our longstanding relationship with Sheffield Futures means we have excellent access to the latest thinking in CEIAG and labour market information.

In Key Stage 3 our students investigate a range of careers which interest them including some they may never have thought of. We organise a range of CEAIG visits from further and higher education establishments and take an active part in the University of Sheffield’s widening participation programmes.

We were the first school in Sheffield to enrol students in the Brilliant Club, a charity dedicated to raising the aspirations of disadvantaged students with no family experience of university and are now taking through our third cohort having experienced some tremendous successes.

In Key Stage 4, our students complete two weeks work experience to give them an insight into employment in their chosen field. We prepare our students well by holding mock interview days with local and national businesses, conduct visits to local universities and guide our students to ensure that virtually all of them have concrete plans for the future after The Birley Academy.

The Birley Academy is obliged to give Further Education providers the opportunity to visit and promote their courses, in accordance with the Technical and Further Education Act (2017). To see our policy statement, click here.

Work Experience

At the end of Y10, all students will complete two weeks of work experience. We work with our students to develop the skills needed to organise their own work placement. To do this, our students must research the field that they are interested in, find local providers who may be offering a placement and then contact them to arrange it.

The students gain a real insight into what it takes to build a career in their chosen field. Many go on to careers based on their placement.

Opportunities Days

In Y11, our students will potentially face multiple interviews for both jobs and post 16 applications. We provide them with mock interviews from over 50 volunteers from the Sheffield City region. During this time, students must organise their own travel, prepare their answers, dress appropriately and are given feedback in order to improve. Many students are offered opportunities with local companies due to their performance during these interviews.

Careers Team:

Mrs L Gillham: Assistant headteacher

Mrs J Godbehere: Careers Lead

Mrs A Pemberton: Work Experience Coordinator / Sheffield Progress Coordinator

T: 0114 2392531 EXT: 2253 (Working days Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday)

E: [email protected]

Mrs J Redfern: Sheffield Futures Careers Advisor

E:  [email protected]