Outwood Academy Foxhills achieves Gold Quality Standard for careers work
Outwood Academy Foxhills, in Scunthorpe, has been recognised for its outstanding careers work. The school has been awarded Gold in the national Quality in Careers Standard, awarded under licence by Ixion (Part of the Shaw Trust Group). The Quality in Careers Standard is awarded to schools and education providers who can demonstrate the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about their life after school.
Outwood Academy Foxhills, which is rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, is continually working to improve the chances and opportunities of all the students and recognises the importance of preparing all students for their future careers. There is a statutory duty to ‘secure independent careers guidance’ for all students from Year 8 onwards, and the Government also recommends that all schools should be required to work towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.
Achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard shows that the principal, governors and leadership team at Outwood Academy Foxhills embrace, promote and endorse quality careers education, and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of the school and its students. To prepare students for life after school, they had access to over 60 hands-on employer encounters in 2025/26. Key experiences included workplace visits at British Steel, Scunthorpe Hospital, a British Aerospace experience, engineering projects with VolkerRail, an EcoPreneurs project in partnership with UCNL, Year 9 mock interview days, and an annual Careers Fair hosting 37 exhibitors.
Claire Bradbury, Careers Lead at the school, said:
“We are thrilled to have achieved Gold in the national Quality in Careers Standard awarded by Ixion. At Foxhills, we recognise the important role school plays in helping students develop their knowledge, skills and experience so they can go out into the world and achieve personal success.
“Our careers programme aims to excite, enthuse, and inform students about future career opportunities. Through industry connections, interactive workshops, and hands-on work activities, we turn career planning into an inspiring journey. We provide up-to-date information and targeted guidance to equip students with the tools to confidently navigate their next steps and achieve their potential, ensuring they are prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training.”
Academy Principal, Tracy Motson, added:
“At Outwood Academy Foxhills, our core mission is always 'Students First: Raising Standards and Transforming Lives.' Achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard Gold Award is a milestone that directly aligns with this vision. Providing high-quality careers education, inspiring aspirations, and opening doors to future pathways is central to how we truly transform lives. This recognition reflects the dedication of our whole staff team to ensuring every student leaves us with the confidence, knowledge, and direction needed for long-term personal success.”
Highlighting the effectiveness of the careers provision, the assessor reported that “All students regardless of ability are able to leave Outwood Academy Foxhills with the skills, knowledge and aspiration to make excellent choices about their futures."
To find out more about Outwood Academy Foxhills, you can attend the upcoming open evening, which will be taking place on 29th September from 5 pm – 7 pm. More information can be found at foxhills.outwood.com
