For many young people in alternative provision, understanding what comes after school can be just as important as what happens in the classroom.
At OA-Havering, careers education is designed to help students recognise their strengths, raise their aspirations and build the confidence to take positive next steps into further education, employment or training. A long-standing partnership with Local Careers Hub East plays an important role in making that possible.
Working together over several years, the partnership has become an integral part of academy life, supporting a careers programme that is embedded throughout the curriculum and wider enrichment offer. From careers education lessons and Ready, Respectful and Aspirational (RRA) assemblies to targeted projects and employer encounters, students are encouraged to explore the opportunities available to them and understand the skills needed to achieve their ambitions.
Through the partnership, students have connected with employers including Wilson's Barbers, Kwik Fit, Balfour Beatty and MEARS, taking part in careers talks, workplace-inspired workshops and activities that bring learning to life. These experiences help young people develop a greater understanding of different industries while building confidence, employability skills and ambition for the future.
Behind the scenes, we work closely with Local Careers Hub East to continually strengthen our careers provision. Regular planning meetings, strategic guidance and collaborative projects ensure the programme continues to meet students' needs and aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks for good careers guidance.
By combining meaningful employer engagement with personalised careers education, the partnership helps ensure every student has access to the knowledge, experiences and support needed to make informed choices about their future. It also supports our wider commitment to reducing the risk of young people becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET), by helping students see clear and achievable pathways beyond school.
As the partnership continues to grow, OA-Havering remains committed to ensuring every young person leaves the academy with the confidence, aspirations and opportunities to take their next steps successfully.