Careers & Aspirations: The Armfield Journey (Ages 3–16)

 

The careers coordinator, Mr Marc Height (Assistant Head), will manage the careers education programme within school.

 

Welcome to the Careers hub of Armfield Academy. As an all-through academy situated in the heart of South Shore, Blackpool, our mission is to ensure that every student—from our youngest three-year-olds to our Year 11 leavers—is empowered with the "cultural capital," skills, and ambition to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.

In 2026, we are proud to offer a robust, award-winning careers programme that exceeds national standards. We are currently working toward the Gold Quality in Careers standard, evidencing our commitment to the highest levels of provision for our students.

Our careers programme is managed and strategically led to ensure every child receives personalised support.

  • Careers Coordinator: Mr. Marc Height (Assistant Head)
  • Careers Lead: Mr. Andy Hill (PSHE/Careers lead)
  • External Partners: Education Business Partnership North West (EBPNW), Skills Builder Partnership UK, PSHE (RSHE) Association
  • Provider Access: We welcome external providers to speak to our students. Our Provider Access Legislation (PAL) can be found on our website here.

 

Our 2026 Careers Calendar: Impact in Numbers

Following the challenges of previous years, we have expanded our provision to be more immersive than ever. This year, we are delivering over 40 career-based events, including:

  • The Annual Futures Fair (November): Our flagship event involves 30+ providers and is accessed by over 700 students.
  • Workplace Encounters: Mock interviews, taster days at local colleges, and guest speaker sessions.
  • KS4 Planning: Individual action-planning meetings (G8) for every student in partnership with EBPNW.
  • Work Experience: Comprehensive placements for Year 10 students during the summer term, with bespoke opportunities throughout KS4.

The Student Journey: From Nursery to Year 11

Primary Phase (Ages 3–11)

Aspiration starts early. Our primary students engage in careers through storytelling (including our partnership with BAE Systems) and "People Who Help Us" themes. We focus on breaking stereotypes and building the foundational "soft skills" required for the future.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)

In KS3, careers education is integrated into PSHE/RSHE.

  • Xello Platform: All students have exclusive access to Xello, our premier digital careers tool. This allows students to build a personal profile, explore pathways, and build a digital CV.
  • Year 9 Options: Students receive a full term of dedicated curriculum time to explore "option choices" before making their final selections at Easter, ensuring their GCSE path aligns with their ‘FUTURE’ goals.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11)

The focus shifts to transition and professional readiness.

  • 1-to-1 Guidance: Year 11 students receive a formal guidance interview with a qualified careers advisor.
  • Provider Immersion: We are unique on the Fylde Coast for our "Constant Dialogue" approach. We host regular drop-ins, guest lessons, and on-site interviews with our core partners:
  • Blackpool & Fylde College | Blackpool Sixth Form | Myerscough College
  • Preston College | Cardinal Newman College | Blackpool FC Community Trust (BFCCT)



The Gatsby Benchmarks

Our strategy is rooted in the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, the gold standard for career excellence:

Benchmark

Description

Our Commitment

1

A Stable Careers Programme

Updated annually and ratified by governors.

2

Learning from LMI

Using Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) data to inform choices.

3

Addressing Student Needs

Tailored support for SEND and high-ability learners.

4

Linking Curriculum to Careers

Subject teachers highlight career links in every lesson.

5

Encounters with Employers

Minimum of one meaningful encounter per year.

6

Experiences of Workplaces

Year 10 work experience and workplace visits.

7

Encounters with FE/HE

Visits to universities and local colleges.

8

Personal Guidance

Access to a level 6 qualified careers advisor.

 

Labour Market Information (LMI) & Local Insights

Understanding the Blackpool and Lancashire economy is vital. We want our students to be aware of the "Hot Jobs" in our region, particularly in digital, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.

 

Resources for Stakeholders

For Students & Parents

Parental engagement resources: 

Post-16 Pathways

All students must remain in education or training until 18. Options include:

  1. Full-time study (A-Levels, T-Levels, or vocational).
  2. Apprenticeships (Earn while you learn).
  3. Traineeships (skills preparation).

 

Please link below to a useful careers guide for parents and carers.

Careers Guide for Parents and Carers – Lancashire Careers Hub

 

Measuring Success

We evaluate our impact through the CEC Compass Tool and by tracking our Destination Data. We don't just look at where our students go; we look at how they thrive once they get there.

 

Provider Access Policy Statement

Our Provider Access Policy Statement is displayed on our POLICIES page.

 

The CEIAG policy is reviewed on an annual basis by the Careers Leader.  This is ratified by Governors.

 

Contact Details

Any provider wishing to request access should contact our Careers Administrator, Mr Marc Height (Assistant Head), on 01253 207702 or via e-mail on: m.height@armfield.fcat.org.uk  

Careers Administrator, Mr Marc Height