We encourage you all to come and speak to us in Careers about anything that you’d like to discuss in relation to your future. Although we inevitably have a lot of discussions with older students and their parents we encourage any student at Walsall Academy from Year 7 onwards to come and talk to us. Our key aim at Walsall Academy is to ensure that our students make well-informed decisions about the future and have the skills to succeed in whatever pathway they’ve chosen.
- Termly Careers Programme – Please click here.
- KS3 Overview – Please click here.
- KS4 Overview – Please click here.
- KS5 Overview – Please click here.
Meet The Team
Tara Dingle (Careers Lead) – Director of Careers and Employability – In school all week – tdingle@walsallacademy.com
Nicola Rattenberry – Careers Co-ordinator – In school Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – nrattenberry@walsallacademy.com
Claire Ward – Careers Co-ordinator – In school all week 9am -3pm – cward@walsallacademy.com
Samantha Lloyd – Careers Co-ordinator – In school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – slloyd@walsallacademy.com
Kelly Greene – HE Co-ordinator – In school all week – kgreene@walsallacademy.com
Ben Wood – HE Co-ordinator – In school all week – bwood@walsallacademy.com
Natalie Latham – Careers Link Governor
Walsall Academy Careers Programme
The Careers Programme at Walsall Academy has been designed to help individuals explore and prepare for the diverse career opportunities available to them when leaving school, college, university and later in life.
Our Careers Programme provides an overview of various industries, career paths and the skills that will be required to succeed in today’s job market.
Key Features of the Careers Programme at Walsall Academy
1. Career Exploration:
- Overview of industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, arts and more.
- Insights into emerging fields and in demand roles.
2. Skills Development:
- Workshops on transferable skills like communication, problem-solving and teamwork.
- Industry-specific skills, certifications or technical training.
3. Networking Opportunities:
- Interactions with professionals and alumni through panels or guest.
- Networking strategies and professional etiquette.
4. Self-Assessment:
- Tools to identify personal strengths, interests and values.
- Guidance on aligning career choices with personal goals.
5. CV and Interview Prep:
- Sessions on creating CV’s, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles.
- Mock interviews and feedback from employers and careers advisors.
6. Work Experience:
- Opportunities to gain hands-on experience in chosen fields.
- Visits to real-world work environments.
- Virtual work experiences.
7. Long-Term Planning:
- Setting short and long term career goals.
- Strategies for lifelong learning and adaptability in changing market.
The Careers Programme is reviewed annually and takes onboard feedback from students, parents, employers, teachers and other stakeholders.
Next date for review is September 2026
Technical Education Statement
As the number of opportunities rises each year, it becomes increasingly important that all young people have a full understanding of all the options available to them post-14, post-16 and post-18 including wider technical education options such as T-Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.
Walsall Academy is fully aware of the responsibility to set students on the path that will secure the best outcome which will enable them to progress in education and work and give employers the highly skilled people they need. That means acting impartially, in line with the statutory duty, and without bias towards any route, be that academic or technical. Walsall Academy is committed to ensuring there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access students, for the purpose of informing them about approved technical education qualifications.
As such, we endeavour to ensure that all students are made aware of all routes to higher skills and are able to access information on technical options and apprenticeships (The Department of Education, July 2021: “Baker Clause”: supporting students to understand the full range of education and training options, and the Provider Access Legislation, January 2023).
Provider Access Policy
At Walsall Academy we are committed to giving our students the opportunity to hear from a range of providers including apprenticeship training, universities, colleges and sixth form. Because of that we have made available a provider access policy that details the processes that providers can go through to take up the opportunity to speak to our students. If there are any queries about this please don’t hesitate to email Tara Dingle (tdingle@walsallacademy.com).
Career Opportunities
In KS3 it is really important students start to explore the kinds of Careers that they may like to work towards in the future. Developing an awareness and understanding of what options are available is really important. It is also important for students to think about the future of certain jobs and the nature of work in the future when they move into the workplace.
Students are encouraged to research careers using the following websites. Click the logos below to access the information on these websites:
What is also important for KS3 students is engaging in extra-curricular activity, which can provide opportunities for young people to explore possible interests in careers, but also develop skills for work so they can be successful in whatever path they choose. We have an extensive session 3 register which we would encourage you to look at and engage with if not already. Please visit our extra curricular activities webpage here
Careers Opportunities available to students in KS3 include:
Careers Exploration workshops:
Careers workshop using software Morrisby to help students explore their interests and the possible opportunities.
Students can login using their login details already provided and complete the aspirations, priorities and study interests questionnaires. These will then generate suggested Careers and pathways for students to explore further. Any student not sure of their login details can request these from Mrs Dingle in Careers.
Completing the questionnaires will help students to identify and explore suitable careers and pathways whilst the detailed analysis provided shows an individualised approach to planning their career journey.
They are then encouraged to consider how these are relevant to their options (February/March)
Subject visits and events:
We encourage any student to reflect on trips and visits thinking about what they saw and experienced and how this may have improved employability skills as well as knowledge and understanding about possible careers choices (all year round)
Careers Week Assemblies:
Assemblies this year will discuss relevant issues around careers including raising aspirations (w/c 23 February)
At the end of Y9 students make some choices about what they are going to study for the Level 2 qualifications – BTEC/GCSEs. Some important considerations that young people need to make are:
- What subjects do you enjoy?
- What kinds of qualifications will you get once you complete the course?
- What are your career aspirations and what subjects may link to this?
If you need help with the last question in particular, please contact us in Careers.
KS3 Curriculum Overview
Careers Quizzes
Career Opportunities
When students are in KS4, it is then that they particularly start to think about what their next steps might be after completing their GCSEs. Below is an image of the pathways through KS4 to post-18:
Whilst in Year 9 students are still encouraged to take the time to explore options and possibilities similar to how they would have done in KS3. However, there will e trips, talks and other support provided that will start to talk more specifically about what kind of careers might interest them.
We would strongly encourage students n KS4 to take part in session 3 or other extra-curricular activities in order to build up a CV and the experience that will help young people in whatever they apply for after their GCSEs.
Careers Opportunities available to students in KS4 include:
Subject visits and events:
We encourage any student to reflect on trips and visits thinking about what they saw and experienced and how this may have improved employability skills as well as knowledge and understanding about possible careers choices (all year round)
Y10 Careers Discovery:
Parents are invited to come into school with their son/daughter to have a group careers session using some specialist careers software. This is also a chance to talk through the next steps for careers support and the options available post-16 (May)
Y11 Revision, Careers and Challenge:
Students and parents given talks from staff about techniques for revising including support provided, careers options and opportunities. This includes what students should be doing at this stage, and extra-curricular opportunities available particularly after they have finished their exams in January
Y11 Sixth Form Open Evenings:
Students are given opportunity to hear about what our Sixth Form can offer and external applicants have the chance to talk to subject teachers about the course they offer and what is required (November)
Y11 One to One meetings with an Independent Careers Advisor:
The advisor will sit with students, and parents if requested, to discuss all options available post-16 including sixth form, college and apprenticeships (available all year round – please book when required)
When students are deciding on their options it is important they consider the entry requirements for various courses. The image below gives you an idea of entry requirements for various types of courses. However, this is only an illustration and we would advise you to contact the course/training provider for the most accurate and up to date information:
We appreciate that post-16 choices are a big decision. What is important is that students take their time and do plenty of research. We are always happy to discuss options with students and parents in Careers. Speak to any of the team if you want to find out more.
In order to help manage you or your son/daughter through this process we suggest you use the following checklist:
✓ Researched the differences between Sixth Form, College and Apprenticeships
✓ Attended Sixth Form and College Open Days
✓ Considered a wide variety of apprenticeships
✓ Discussed regularly with parents/carers
✓ Considered where you want your post-16 choice to lead to
✓ Considered entry requirements for first choice and your backup choice
✓ Met with a Careers Advisor
✓ Considered your own specific learning style
One last key aspect which we want you to consider is what your course is going to offer you in the future. Think about the following questions:
- What qualification will this course give me?
- What future courses and/or jobs will that course allow me to start?
- How will my choices restrict me in terms of what I can do after completion?
- What opportunities will this course provide for me following completion?
- What skills will I develop whilst studying this course?
There are specific considerations you should bear in mind if you have certain intended pathways. For example if you are looking to do an apprenticeship – research the qualification on offer and ensure it gives you as many options as possible, or if you are looking at sixth form courses research what degree courses require what A-levels.
KS4 Curriculum Overview
To find out what other opportunities are available at Walsall Academy please click here.
Labour Market Information
Careers Quizzes
Options at 18+
Any questions about careers, university or generally about your future don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Dingle and the Careers team.
Thinking of going to university?
To assist with university applications, students will receive ongoing support from Year 12 and throughout their time in Year 13. Annually we start our focus on applications to university during our ‘Post-18 Options Week’ which includes a number of workshops ands activities on UCAS and applying for university. In addition to this support, we also invite parents along for our ‘UCAS Launch Evening’ where parents can gain information about the procedures we follow and the key dates involved with the university application process.
For step by step instructions on how to complete your UCAS application, please click here.
Important 2026 UCAS Dates for Your Diary:
- 2 September 2025 – UCAS begins accepting complete applications (with references & fees) for all undergraduate courses.
- 2 October 2025 (18:00 UK time) – music courses
- 15 October 2025 (18:00 UK time) – Final submission for:
- Oxford & Cambridge
- Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine/Science
- Walsall Academy deadline date 28 November 2025
- 14 January 2026 (18:00 UK time) Equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses.
Want to go abroad to University?
Some students today go to study abroad rather than staying in England. For more information on this visit the Study Overseas website or the International Education for studying abroad website.
Useful information:
Thinking of applying for an apprenticeship?
We have many students from Walsall Academy who choose to leave Sixth Form and go straight into some form of employment, often apprenticeships. These are an excellent way of developing skills, earning a wage as well as gaining qualifications. Below is a list of the different types of apprenticeships that students can access:
Apprenticeship Resources
There are a number of excellent websites on the ‘Resource Library’ tab. These websites will provide information, advice and guidance as well as advertising apprenticeship vacancies. Degree and Higher Apprenticeships are incredibly popular, and as a consequence are very competitive. It is important students seek support to ensure that their CVs, application forms and interview techniques are as good as possible to give students the highest chance of success.
Morrisby
KS5 Curriculum Overview
Useful information:
Careers Quizzes
Our Vision for SEND Careers Education
Our school is committed to providing a high‑quality, ambitious and inclusive careers programme for all students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our provision is fully aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks, the SEND Code of Practice, and statutory Careers Guidance requirements.
We aim to ensure every student with SEND develops the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to transition successfully into further education, training, apprenticeships or employment.
Benchmark 1: A Stable Careers Programme
How we support SEND learners:
- Our structured careers programme runs from KS3 through KS5, with tailored provision for SEND students.
- Careers information is embedded across the curriculum and supported by the SENCO, Learning Support team, and the Careers Leader.
- Provision is reviewed annually, through student voice, parental consultation, EHCP reviews, and destination tracking.
Benchmark 2: Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
SEND‑inclusive approaches include:
- Providing accessible, differentiated resources explaining post‑16 and post‑18 pathways, including vocational routes, and apprenticeships.
- Offering visual, easy‑read, symbol‑supported or scaffolded materials for students who need them.
- Ensuring parents/carers receive clear labour market information (LMI) and guidance to support decision‑making at transition points.
Benchmark 3: Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil
Our personalised approach for SEND students includes:
- Tailored support linked to EHCP outcomes during annual reviews.
- Individual careers action plans for students from KS3 onward.
- Priority access to small‑group or 1:1 guidance to explore strengths, aspirations and potential barriers.
- Providing differentiated options for work experience, employer encounters, and taster opportunities.
Benchmark 4: Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers
SEND‑specific curriculum approaches:
- Careers learning embedded across subjects, with resources adapted to students’ needs.
- Life‑skills, independence training and employability woven into lessons (e.g., communication, teamwork, financial literacy).
- Supported learning activities that highlight career relevance in subjects such as English, Maths, Science, and vocational areas.
- Scaffolded tasks, reduced language load, and visual supports to ensure full accessibility.
Benchmark 5: Encounters with Employers and Employees
We provide supported employer encounters including:
- Adapted talks, presentations and Q&A sessions from employers.
- Smaller‑group opportunities and pre‑sessions to prepare students for interaction.
- Inclusion of support staff to ensure meaningful participation.
- SEND‑aware employer partnerships to broaden understanding of inclusive workplaces.
- Virtual alternatives where sensory needs or accessibility barriers exist.
Benchmark 6: Experiences of Workplaces
Our SEND-inclusive work experience model offers:
- Supported work experience placements or individually modified alternatives.
- On‑site or internal work‑related learning for students needing familiar environments.
- Extended placements, workplace visits, or taster sessions tailored to individual needs.
- Collaboration with supported training providers and inclusive employment partners.
Benchmark 7: Encounters with Further and Higher Education
SEND‑focused provision includes:
- Supported visits to colleges, specialist providers, training organisations and universities.
- Transition events specifically tailored for SEND students and families.
- SENCO and Careers Leader joint planning with post‑16/18 providers to ensure smooth transitions.
Benchmark 8: Personal Guidance
Specialist 1:1 guidance for SEND students includes:
- Priority access to a Level 6/7 qualified careers advisor.
- Early guidance starting in KS3 to identify aspirations, strengths and potential barriers.
- Supportive, extended appointments with opportunities for parents/carers to attend.
- Comprehensive advice during key transition points, aligned to EHCP outcomes.
- Guidance that builds independence, agency and confidence in decision‑making.
Preparing for Adulthood (PfA)
Our approach supports the four PfA outcomes:
- Employment
Developing skills, confidence and work‑based experiences that prepare students for employment or supported employment. - Independent Living
Travel training, life skills, personal finance and independence programmes. - Friends, Relationships and Community
Opportunities to build social skills, communication and community participation. - Good Health
Joint working with health professionals to ensure students are supported to thrive post‑16 and beyond.
Employers
Employers are a crucial part of the development of our students. We have always sought to engage with a range of businesses across multiple sectors to ensure that our students can make well-informed choices as well as develop the necessary skills to succeed on whichever path they choose. Students choose a range of pathways following their time at Walsall Academy however we know that whichever pathway they choose to follow, employers will be crucial to their future success. We have outlined the four core ways we aim to engage with employers:
T Levels and Employers
Employers are at the very centre of these brand new qualifications. The curriculum and the assessments for all of the T Levels have been co-designed by key employers in the relevant sectors. As a school we have always placed huge value on the impact that employers can have on the academic and personal progress of our young people. This can be through talks, lessons and work placements.
T Levels require a 45 days/315 hours of work placement for students to complete the course. We see this as an opportunity to further enhance the integration of employers in the education we offer young people, including weeklong placements, talks and lessons as well as the T Level industry placements of 45 days/315 hours.
Careers News
Medicine and Dentistry – Students applying to study at university need to register with UKCAT. www.ukcat.ac.uk
Law – Year 13 students thinking about applying to universities to study law need to be reminded that eight leading universities are holding law degree admissions tests for entry 2026. Click here for more information.
Year 12 Post 18 Options Week – Activities and resources will be made available to students and parents with a key focus for the UCAS and apprenticeships related supprort being around the original planned week due to commence on Monday 4 July.
Employability Skills Week – For students considering apprenticeships as a post 18 option.
Medicine or Veterinary Medicine – Year 12 students thinking of applying for medicine or veterinary medicine degrees. Visit the website for more information on BMAT tests. www.bmat.org.uk
Veterinary Science, Physiotherapy, Criminal Law, Forensics, Nursing and Medicine degrees – Year 11 or Year 12 students interested in any of these subjects, contact Mrs Dingle for exciting conference opportunities.
Other Information
Open Days at University – Before attending please complete the pro forma in Careers and pass onto your PT. Look at Open Days Website for up to date information on University Open Days across the UK by institution or date order. www.opendays.com
National Apprenticeship – For all the apprenticeship vacancies in the region Click Here.
Welcome to our ‘Digital Careers Library’. This is designed to be a place where you can access information about a wide range of different careers-related matters. This includes links to websites that offer information about choices post-16 and post-18 along with more general advice about different career pathways. We have also got some helpful videos that explain about a range of different important issues from searching for apprenticeships to how to be successful in a video interview. Please also take not of our separate ‘Higher Education Institutions’ tab which includes links to the course pages of an array of different UK universities. If there are any resources you feel are missing from this page please let us know (TDingle@walsallacademy.com).
Video Content
The Careers Department has provided informative videos and webinars for our students, which can be viewed using the link(s) below:
Careers Newsletter
Careers Links
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|---|---|---|
| Discover Uni Use stats to evaluate university choices | UCAS Information on Universities and applying for them | Student Finance Information about applying for student finance |
 |  |  |
| The Uni Guide Lots of data to compare and contrast university courses | Map of UK Universities Map of Universities in the UK, providing links to each one | Apprenticeships For all the apprenticeship vacancies in the region |
 |  |  |
| Amazing Apprenticeships Free apprenticeship related resources for parents | Career Map Current available apprenticeships & graduate jobs | Not Going To Uni Current available apprenticeships |
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| Prospects Matching skills and personality traits to job roles | National Careers A vast amount of job profiles with advice and guidance | Walsall College Opportunities at Walsall College from ages 16+ |
 |  | |
| Success at School General careers advice, job profiles and guidance | First Careers General careers advice, job profiles and guidance |
UK Higher Education Institutions
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberystwyth University | Aston University | Bath Spa University | Birmingham City University | University of Birmingham |
 |  |  |  |  |
| University College Birmingham | Cardiff Metropolitan | Cardiff University | University of Central Lancashire | University of Chester |
 |  |  |  |  |
| Coventry University | De Montfort University | University of East Anglia | Edge Hill University | Falmouth University |
 |  |  |  |  |
| Harper Adams University | University of Huddersfield | Keele University | University of Leeds | University of Leicester |
 |  |  |  |  |
| Liverpool John Moores | Loughborough University | Newman University | Nottingham Trent University | University of Reading |
 |  |  |  |  |
| Scotland’s Rural College | University of Southampton | Staffordshire University | Swansea University | University of Warwick |
 | ||||
| University of Wolverhampton |
Please find a selection of resources below that we feel may be useful to you as your child progresses throughout their time here with us at Walsall Academy.
If there is any additional information you would like, please feel free to email one of the team on the email addresses provided below.
Tara Dingle – Director of Careers and Employability – tdingle@walsallacademy.com
Samantha Lloyd – Careers Coordinator – slloyd@walsallacademy.com
Nicola Rattenberry – Careers Coordinator – nrattenberry@walsallacademy.com
Claire Ward – Careers Coordinator – cward@walsallacademy.com
Additional Information
- Year 12 WEX Parental Information
- Post 16 Options for the End of Year 11 Parental Information
- Year 12 Options for the end of Year 13
- Year 13 student budgeting and accommodation
- Find out more about Careers and Opportunities in the Black Country
- SEND Careers Support Years 7-11 Information for Parents
Parents’ Resources
Did you know, National Careers Service provides careers information, advice and guidance to anyone and not just students?
Please click below to find out more:
In addition to National Careers Service, Walsall Works is an initiative funded by Walsall Council supporting local people to find jobs, apprenticeships and access training.
Please click the link below to find out more.
The West Midlands Combined Authority offers a range of fully funded courses to adults within the local area.
Please click on the links below to find out more about their employment and skills programmes on offer.
Walsall Academy is extremely proud of the hard work and determination shown by our students towards their studies and their commitments in securing positive destinations at the end of both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.
2024 Destinations
Key Stage 4
- 45.9% of students stayed at Walsall Academy Sixth Form.
- 52.6% of students moved into alternative post-16 education.
- 1.4% of students entered into employment with training/apprenticeships.
- 0% students NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
Key Stage 5
- 69.4% of students moving into HE.
- 1.2% of those students went to Oxbridge/Medical School destinations.
- 18.3% of students moving to HE went to Russell Group Universities.
- 24.2% of students obtaining employment with training.
- 5% of students took a GAP Year.
- 58.3% of T Level students went to Employment, 8.3% went to Training and 33.3% went to university.
- 0% students NEET.
2025 Destinations
Key Stage 4
- 43.5% of students stayed at Walsall Academy Sixth Form.
- 53.1% of students moved into alternative post-16 education.
- 1.9% of students entered into employment with training/apprenticeships.
- 1% students NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
Key Stage 5
- 73.2% of students moving into HE.
- 13.2% of students moving to HE went to Russell Group Universities
- 10% of students took a GAP Year
- 13.4% of students obtained employment with training.
- 0 % students NEET
Walsall Academy Apprenticeship Academy
As a school, we pride ourselves on ensuring our students are aware of all the routes available to them. It is of the utmost importance to us that our students are able to get specialist advice on all their options when they finish their education with us. Therefore, we have invested in the Apprenticeship Academy programme which allows us to refer our Year 10-13 students to learn everything they need to know to find, apply for and interview for apprenticeship opportunities.
I am sure you will agree that this is a fabulous and much needed addition to our careers programme and allows us to give our students the broad spectrum of knowledge that they need to create a successful future for themselves.
To register for Walsall Academy’s Apprenticeship Academy please scan the QR code below or speak with a member of the Careers team.
Resources
Useful Websites
We love hearing from our former students and celebrating their career journeys since leaving Walsall Academy. Click on the images below to discover inspiring stories from our alumni.
Are you a former student with a journey to share? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with Mrs Dingle at tdingle@walsallacademy.com to share your story.
Alex Perry
Alice Jones
Callum Wood
Charlotte Benton
Jack Jones
Kate Smith
Oliver Lawrence
Sarah Shaw
