Careers
Edgar Wood Academy Careers Programme
At Edgar Wood Academy, our belong, thrive, achieve ethos sits at the centre of an inclusive, ambitious and enriching careers programme. Our carefully designed careers curriculum provides students with a coherent, stable and high-quality programme of careers education, ensuring they develop the confidence, independence and knowledge needed to succeed in their next steps. We raise aspirations, broaden horizons and support students to make informed, high-ambition decisions that reflect their strengths and future goals.
An Inclusive Programme Built on Our Values
Our values: empathy, respect, responsibility and resilience shape how students explore opportunities, interact with employers and reflect on their personal development. Throughout the programme, students:
- Show empathy by exploring the journeys, experiences and pathways of diverse individuals and communities
- Demonstrate respect through inclusive, professional interactions
- Take responsibility for shaping and reviewing their future plans
- Build resilience by responding positively to challenge and change
Careers Within PSHCE: Aspiration From Transition to Post-16
From transition through to post-16 preparation, careers is embedded within our PSHCE programme, enabling students to:
- Aim high and set ambitious visions for their future
- Visualise their next steps, exploring possibilities and building self-belief
- Understand how to get there, using structured guidance including Unifrog and external providers, to plan and reflect
A Spiral and Inclusive Careers Curriculum
Our careers programme follows a spiral design, where learning is revisited and deepened across key stages. Careers education is embedded across subjects and strengthened through discrete careers lessons aligned with the CDI Framework.
A Bespoke KS4 Offer
At KS4, students benefit from a tailored and carefully structured programme designed to prepare them for work experience, post-16 choices, and increasing independence. This includes:
- Personal guidance interviews
- High-quality CV, application and interview workshops
- Opportunities to meet industry experts
- Work Experience Placement for 5 days
- Multiple encounters with employers, apprenticeship providers, FE colleges and universities
- Specific preparation and bespoke support for applying for A levels, T levels, vocational pathways and apprenticeships
Careers in the Curriculum: Preparing for Future Careers Through Learning
Every subject area plays a crucial role in preparing students for their futures. Departments explicitly incorporate career-related learning, helping students understand:
- How the knowledge and skills they develop connect to real careers
- How subject-specific learning links to future pathways and industries
- The attributes and competencies employers value within that discipline
- How learning contributes to wider employability, such as creativity, problem-solving, communication and critical thinking
Raising Aspirations and Broadening Horizons
We are proud to be the first school in Rochdale to participate in the Upriser programme, working in partnership with Notorious Communications. This initiative gives students:
- Interaction with creative and digital industry professionals
- Real-world insights into modern roles and pathways
- Opportunities to develop transferable skills
- Inclusive challenges that broaden perspectives and confidence
Connecting Learning to the Greater Manchester Labour Market
Our curriculum ensures every student has access to high-quality labour market information, focusing on the Greater Manchester Areas of Growth.
Careers and Labour Market Information (CLMI)
lmiforall.org.uk
GMACS.co.uk
Strong Industry Links and Meaningful Encounters
Students experience:
- Talks and workshops with industry experts
- University visits and HE masterclasses
- FE and apprenticeship provider events
- Projects and challenges linked to workforce needs
The Careers Team
Mrs Carroll is the school Careers Lead and oversees the work of the Careers department. She can be contacted via email at g.carroll@edgarwood.org or by phone 0161 676 9620.
Miss Cole is the leader of PSHCE and plans and delivers the careers programme. She can be contacted via email at b.cole@edgarwood.org or by phone 0161 676 9620.
Mrs James is the academy Career Adviser and is available on Wednesdays to support students via 1-to-1 career appointments.
Kevin Mullins (First Bus) is the Academy Enterprise Advisor.
Students and Parents
At Edgar Wood Academy, we offer a range of careers opportunities from year 7 to year 11. To complement this work we have gathered the following resources to help students and families explore future options.
Unifrog – Every child has full access to Unifrog. They simply log in Using the Microsoft link and input school email address and password. Parents can also gain access to their own area of Unifrof. Please contact b.cole@edgarwood.org for the login and password.
Considering College?
Sixth Form College
A sixth form college prepares students aged 16–18 for university, apprenticeship or employment. Local sixth form colleges include:
Welcome to The Rochdale Sixth Form College
Oldham Sixth Form College - Home
Cardinal Langley RC Sixth Form
Vocational College
Vocational colleges offer BTECs, T Levels and industry-specific pathways. Local providers include:
Hopwood Hall College and University Centre - Your Future Starts Here
Home | Oldham College - Vocational Courses and Apprenticeships in Oldham
The Manchester College: It Starts With You
Access Creative College | The UK's Industry-led creative college
Considering an Aprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job with training and study. Local providers include:
- Hopwood Hall College
- Oldham College
- Bury College
- The Manchester College
- Rochdale Training
Useful apprenticeship vacancy websites:
Search apprenticeship – Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
Alternatives To University | NGTU
Amazing Apprenticeships | Explore Technical Education & Apprenticeship Opportunities
Apprenticeships | Learn About Apprenticeships And Find The Right One For You
General Careers Information and Support
Careers advice - job profiles, information and resources | National Careers Service
Prospects | Job & Course Search | Career & University Advice
Browse Careers | Discover Your Ideal Job | UCAS
icould - Career ideas and information for your future
Options at 18
Alternatives To University | NGTU
Gaining Skills
We encourage students to pursue enrichment and skill-building opportunities. The REACH website showcases local opportunities: Welcome to The Reach Rochdale Enrichment Activity Hub
Unsure or have any questions? Speak to your Form Teacher to arrange an appointment with the academy Career Adviser.
Provider Access Legislation (PAL) Statement
Edgar Wood Academy is committed to providing students in Years 7–11 with access to a wide range of education and training providers. In line with the Provider Access Legislation (2023), we ensure that students are given meaningful opportunities to learn about approved technical education qualifications, apprenticeships and other post-16 pathways as part of our inclusive careers programme.
We welcome requests from employers, Further Education providers, apprenticeship providers and training organisations who wish to engage with our students and support their understanding of future progression routes. Please click the link to read our full policy on Provider Access on our school website.
Opportunities for Access
We offer structured opportunities for providers to speak with students across Years 7–11, which may include:
- Talks and presentations (assemblies or year-group sessions)
- Workshops, speaker events and employer-led sessions
- Enrichment activities and curriculum-linked project work
- Careers fairs and post-16 information events
- Mock interviews and meet-the-professionals sessions
- Speed Networking events
- Workplace visits and work experience activities
How Providers Can Request Access
Providers who wish to request access should contact our Careers Lead:
Mrs Carroll – Careers Lead
Email: g.carroll@edgarwood.org
Telephone: 0161 676 9620
All visiting providers must comply with school safeguarding procedures.
To get involved, you can also contact our PSHCE Lead, Miss Beth Cole, at b.cole@edgarwood.org.
Career Inspiration
MYPATH aims to offer engaging careers resources for use in all educations and careers settings. The MYPATH videos rely on LMI from a range of sources and any information stated is accurate at the time of the video being posted to the best of our knowledge. SUBSCRIBE now to support the channel and receive automatic updates when new videos are released!