Careers education

The Dixons Pennine Academy careers programme aims to provide all students with regular access to employers, expert guidance and workplace experiences to support students in making informed and educated decisions about their next steps. The careers programme is an integral element of our curriculum and careers information is interleaved with subject specific content.

Our careers education, information, advice and guidance will:

• provide good quality independent and impartial careers advice to students which both inspires and motivates them to fulfil their potential

• provide advice and guidance which is in the best interests of the student

• contribute to raising achievement; encouraging students to maintain high aspirations and consider a broad and ambitious range of careers

• provide opportunities to work in partnership with employers, training providers, local colleges and others to provide opportunities to inspire students through real life contact with the world of work

• develop enterprise and employability skills, including skills for self-employment

• support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity

• encourage students to see career development as a life-long process

• support students at key transition points

At Dixons Pennine Academy, we measure our careers provision using the Compass+ Survey and assess the impact of the careers programme on students through regular student voice and questioning of other relevant stakeholders.  

Our careers lead is Miss Tidbury, Assistant Principal. You can contact her by emailing info@dixonspa.com 

We are keen to engage with employers and the wider community to support our delivery of careers education programme. If you could support us either by helping with a careers focused event at the school such as our careers networking event, by offering a visit at your place of work or by offering work experience, please get in touch with us.

The fast changing world of work demands that as a school, we aim to support all our students in making a successful transition from education to employment. In addition, we assist our young people to identify and embark on careers opportunities that will unlock their full potential. Our provision also endeavours to promote equality of opportunity and challenges stereotypes enabling every student the relevant pathways to manage and pursue which ever future career they desire.

Our programme is guided by the 2021 careers statutory guidance and places at its heart the eight Gatsby benchmarks. These eight benchmarks are seen as the blue print for what a high quality careers programme should look like.

Throughout a student’s career at Dixons Pennine Academy, they will have a vast array of careers related events, experiences and encounters in order to develop their aspirations and career wellbeing.

Labour market information

Labour Market Information (LMI) is information about what is happening in a labour market. LMI tends to focus on the industries that are growing and declining, the types and levels of jobs are increasing and decreasing and what supply of labour is available, numbers, skill and qualification levels. 

Having access to this information allows students to make informed decisions about what qualifications to take to increase the chances of them being suitable to particular job sectors that interest them, or increase their probability of finding a job in their local area.

To find more information about Greater Manchester’s LMI please click on the attached link and the following websites:

• The Greater Manchester apprenticeship and careers service

• Labour market and skills review