National Quality in Careers Standard Gold Award

George Dixon Academy has been accredited with the Gold Standard Quality Award for its Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance programme. 

The Gold Award is given for outstanding, innovative and embedded provision.  It recognises the work of the Careers team and all our staff in providing clear guidance and support.  This results in students leaving at the end of year 11 or year 13 with clear career pathways and secure places in college, sixth form, apprenticeships, universities or jobs with training.  The programme builds throughout students’ time with us from year 7 onwards.  Details can be seen on the Academy website, along with support and website links which families can access at any time to help and advise their children.  Our Careers Leader Mrs Buckingham can be contacted at the Academy for further advice.

National Careers Week Monday 4^th to Friday 8^th March 2019

Students attended assemblies for the week on careers, exploring courses and jobs of the future. Newman University supported National Careers Week by delivering sessions to students on university courses and explaining the qualifications and skills required.  Tania Flasck of Turner & Townsend visited to speak to year 9 students, giving clear messages about opportunities for all in STEM industries and particularly for girls and women to aspire and succeed in roles in this sector.

Aspire to Aston University Key Stage 3 Partnership

The partnership programme established with Aston University aims to raise aspirations and normalise the idea of going to higher education, encourage students to start thinking about future goals, help students build up skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership and to support them in their school work and beyond.

The partnership has delivered workshops for all Year 7 students on ‘Introduction to University’, 40 students in year 8 on ‘Skills for the Future’ and 40 students in year 9 on ‘Future Pathways.  This is a rolling programme which will be open to students year by year and from part of a clear progression pathway towards Higher Education.

George Dixon Academy Exeter University Partnership – Third Year

Twelve students in Year 10 have successfully secured a place on the Exeter University Scholars Programme during the Easter break – a residential experience at the university from Monday 15^th to Thursday 18^th April. The programme is now in its third year and the Academy is one of the most successful schools continuing to build relationships with the University, enabling students to gain an insight into the life of a university student. Students that have attended say it’s made a significant difference to their understanding of being an independent student, the demands and rewards of Higher Education, how to manage their time and remove the concerns of leaving home.

Eight students who attended in Year 10 are now in year 12 at GDA6 and will automatically be offered a second residential during summer 2019, followed by a course offer from the university. 

GDA6 Careers

Pathways to the Professions

Twenty three students in Year 12 have successfully secured places on Pathways to the Professions courses provided by University of Birmingham and Aston University in Medicine, finance, engineering, law, health care, STEM and even for those who are not yet sure of their direction. The aims are to ensure students gain an insight into university life and a greater understanding of the courses they are interested in. They attend lectures and seminars and have a mentor who has been nominated to support them. The university mentor supports them with questions relating the university including guidance on UCAS applications.

Pathways to the Professions student quotes:

Bezawit says “the medicine pathway at University of Birmingham has given me a deeper insight into university life and experience in medical careers”.  Aisha says that “Pathways to Health Care at Aston University has started to prepare me for the skills required to seek work experience and an in-depth awareness of university life”.   Masa said “work experience through Pathways to Medicine will provide me with 3 days shadowing a doctor over the summer holidays and students shadowing at the university has provided awareness of lectures and seminars”.  

Social Mobility

Eight students secured a place on the Social Mobility Programme.  Students receive university application advice, professional mentoring, skills sessions and an internship at a highly established company such as J.P Morgan, KPMG, Herbert Smith Freehills, Clifford Chance, NHS and CH2M. 

Omer, Masa and Bezawit said “the Social Mobility Induction day was a huge success as we are now being supported to engage with high quality work placements and supported beyond our A Levels”. 

Mayors Mentors       

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street is leading on the search to find 1,000 Mayor’s Mentors to help guide young people into worthwhile careers. 

Three professionals from Business Accounting, IT and the Transport Infrastructure have attended George Dixon Academy to start a partnership to mentor Year 12 students.  The aim of the programme is to bring people who have been successful in their careers across a range of industries to mentor young people and to help them with independent advice and direction.

Deloitte Business Partnership Programme.

Year 12 students successfully gained a place on the twelve week Deloitte Employability programme 2018/2019. This is George Dixon Academy’s third year of engaging with Deloitte Birmingham. The partnership prepares the students for life after GDA with a focus on transferable employability skills.

The groups prepare a cost saving and income generation proposal for the Academy to a board of professionals. Students must show team working, communication and presentation skills as they compete to have the best proposal. The competition is tough; the students are expected to deliver their ideas in a business environment and are asked challenging questions about the viability of their projects.

Careers Sessions – University Workshops

All year 12 attend CEIAG with Mrs Buckingham. Students research university open days, work experience, volunteering, and courses to study. This is proving successful, with every student engaged in an experience.