Information For Parents

Parents and carers play a vital role in helping young people make informed decisions about their future. At Castle View Enterprise Academy, we work in partnership with families to ensure every student develops the knowledge, skills and confidence to make successful decisions about education, training and employment.

Through our careers programme, students develop our Academy values of Ambition, Determination, Respect and Responsibility, helping them to prepare for the next stage of their education, careers and lives.

Our Careers Programme

Throughout their time at the Academy, students take part in a wide range of experiences including:

• Careers education through LifeSkills lessons
• Employer encounters and careers insight talks
• Workplace visits and work experience
• Careers fairs and networking events
• Visits from, and to, universities, colleges and training providers
• Enterprise and employability activities
• Personal careers guidance

These experiences help students explore different career pathways, understand the world of work and make informed decisions about their future.

Supporting Your Child

Parents and carers have a significant influence on the choices young people make. You can support your child by:

• Talking regularly about their interests, strengths and aspirations.
• Exploring careers and education pathways together.
• Encouraging them to attend careers events and employer opportunities.
• Using Unifrog (online careers platform) to research careers, courses and progression routes.
• Discussing labour market information and future opportunities.
• Helping them prepare for applications, interviews and work experience.

Careers guidance

Personal careers guidance is an important part of our careers programme and helps students make informed decisions about their future education, training and career pathways.

Every year 11 student is entitled to a one-to-one guidance interview with our qualified Careers Adviser and Careers Leader, Mrs McDermott. Students in other year groups can also request a careers guidance interview at any time by speaking to or emailing Mrs McDermott.

Our guidance interviews are impartial and personalised ensuring every student receives advice that is tailored to their individual interests, strengths, aspirations and future goals.

During the guidance interview, students will have the opportunity to:

• Explore their interests, strengths and personal qualities.
• Discuss career ideas and future aspirations.
• Explore post-16 and post-18 education, training and employment pathways.
• Learn about careers, industries and local labour market opportunities.
• Receive accurate, up-to-date information about the opportunities available.
• Agree an action plan to support their next steps.

Parents and carers are encouraged to discuss the outcomes of the guidance interview with their child and are welcome to contact the Careers Team if they would like any further information or support.

Unifrog

From Year 7 onwards, students use the Unifrog platform to explore careers, discover education and training pathways, record achievements and plan their next steps.

Each student has their own Unifrog account, providing access to a wide range of careers and progression resources, including:

• Psychometric quizzes to explore interests and strengths
• Career and subject exploration tools
• Webinars and interactive short courses
• Virtual work experience opportunities
• Live apprenticeship, employer and university search tools
• A CV builder and application support

Unifrog for Parents & Carers

Parents and carers can create their own linked Unifrog account, allowing you to support your child's careers journey from home.

With a parent account, you can:

• View your child's activities and interactions on Unifrog.
• See upcoming careers events and opportunities recorded by the Academy.
• Explore the same careers, university and apprenticeship tools available to your child.
• Have informed conversations about future pathways and career choices.
• Access expert guidance to help support your child with key decisions throughout secondary school.

You can create your parent account using the email address you have provided to the Academy by visiting:

www.unifrog.org/parent

If you experience any difficulties accessing your account, please contact Mrs McDermott or Mrs Smith, who will be happy to help.

Once you have created your account, you'll also be able to access a range of resources designed specifically for parents and carers, including:

• What is Unifrog? A guide for parents and caregivers : Unifrog Blog
• Career Conversations - Practical advice on talking to your child about their future

Parent/Caregiver Conversation Starter

• The Placement Tool - A short video explaining how work experience is managed through Unifrog (Year 10)

Post 16 pathways and progression

In England, all young people are required to remain in education or training until they are 18. This does not mean they must stay at school. After Year 11, students can choose from a range of pathways, including:

• Sixth Form
• Further Education College
• Apprenticeships
• Training providers
• Employment combined with part-time education or training

Our Careers Team works closely with students and families to help them understand each option and choose the pathway that is right for them.

Useful links

General information

Colleges

Sixth forms

Training providers (Apprenticeships and training courses)