The future was looking bright for our students, after we received a national accreditation for excellent careers education, information, advice, and guidance (CEIAG).

Springwood High School was awarded the National Quality in Careers Standard, following a detailed assessment of our careers provision, which considered management, careers learning, information, and advice and guidance.

“Springwood High School has a strong career department that provides a very comprehensive CEIAG programme that aims to achieve its aim of ‘widening horizons, challenging stereotypes, and raising aspirations’,” reported the assessment team.

“Rapid progress has been made in embedding CEIAG into form time, curriculum time, and Super Learning Days (termly collapsed learning days). The programme is well-supported by staff working in departments and form tutors.”

The offering at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, includes our Careers Fair, which has doubled in size in recent years.

Attended by around 1,000 students from Years 10 to 13, the annual event features more than 50 exhibitors, such as Queen Elizabeth Hospital, BAE Systems, Lovell Homes, Saxon Air, Cranswick Foods, College of West Anglia, College of East Anglia, and the University of Lincoln.

“We also run careers awareness and employability workshops with students alongside the Careers Fair,” said our Head of Year 13 and Careers Leader, Nicky Thompson, who spearheaded the award application process alongside Senior Leadership Team Careers Lead Richard Thompson, Lead Governor for Careers Ed Weightman, and Careers Advisor Christine Walton.

“For employers, it provides an ideal opportunity for them to meet the talent pipeline for the future, and to start informing students about the roles available to them in their companies.”

Another measure impressing the assessors was our work experience provision, which is supported by many leading employers in the area, including Mapus Smith and Lemon Accountants, Lotus, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Borough Council, Swaffham Veterinary Centre, Anglia Water, Hunstanton Dental Practice, and several primary schools.

“Last year, 150 students in Year 10 and Year 12 students took part in workplace work experience, with many more undertaking virtual work experience,” continued Ms Thompson.

“For students, it is an important way for young people to gain insight into the working world. For employers, it enables them to find talent for the future.”

Former Springwood students have also had a role to play in helping us secure the accreditation.

“We have been inviting Springwood alumni to come back to school to share their education and careers journeys, and to inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps,” explained Ms Thompson.

“Meeting alumni is inspiring, and encourages students to aim higher. It also provides practical support for current students.”

Among the recent visitors have been Iveta Ruskyte from Palm Paper; Freddie Coates from Caterpillar Perkins; Ruby Goodchild from Maxey Grounds; Tom Holt from Laing O’Rourke; Dylan Green from JBA Consulting; and Vikkie Ely from Mapus-Smith and Lemmon.

“We are delighted to receive this accolade, as it recognises that Springwood provides excellent careers information, advice, and guidance to all our students,” added Ms Thompson.

“It means students are more likely to choose post-16 and post-18 destinations that lead to fulfilling careers in the future.”