Outwood Grange Academy achieves quality standard for careers work

Outwood Grange Academy, in Wakefield, has been recognised for its outstanding careers work. The school has been awarded Gold Level of the national Quality in Careers Standard, under licence from 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 Grange Academy, rated Outstanding for Personal Development by Ofsted, continually works to improve the chances and opportunities of all the students. Recognising the importance of preparing students for their future careers, the school began working towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.

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 the head teacher, governors and leadership team at Outwood Grange Academy embrace, promote and endorse quality careers education and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of the school and its students. The school offers a range of activities to introduce students to the world of work and help them make decisions about life after school.

Julekha Motara, Assistant Principal at Outwood Grange Academy, said:

“We are delighted to be awarded the Quality in Careers Standard with Gold status. As the highest level of achievement within the framework, this benchmark validates the exceptional standard of our careers provision.”

The assessor was impressed by the breadth, quality and maturity of the careers provision at Outwood Grange Academy. Careers education is deeply embedded across the whole academy; a programme that is robust, sustainable and genuinely making a difference to young people's futures.