CAREERS NEWS & EVENTS

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UPDATES & NEWS

W/C 08 September 2025

This week assemblies for students in years 8-11 will be led by Buckinghamshire College Group. We are kicking off the new school year with a focus on the future and our student's next steps. There will be information about the different courses including apprenticeships and T-Levels available at Bucks Colleges. If you would like further information or to discuss anything careers related please contact Miss Proud on vproud@theacademy.me

Careers Updates

The Open University, in partnership with the Russell Group, presents "Jump Start," aimed at assisting students in their transition to university life.

This program provides free online courses, articles, and activities designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of university life and study.

www.open.edu/openlearn/jumpstart-university

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS

Click on the button below to find out when Universities and Colleges are hosting Open Days this year:

Bucks Skills Hub

For careers guidance and information, visit the Bucks Skills
Hub where you will find many opportunities advertised and a wealth of careers information and guidance available.

Pathways for Year 7 and 8

At the Aylesbury Vale Academy, we support our parents with all the difficult decisions their children need to make regarding their future pathways and careers.

If you feel unsure about the different options your child will have after Year 11, please watch the YouTube video clip we shared with our Year 7 and 8 learners, which you can find here.

The Bucks Skills Hub also has a vast amount of information available for learners and parents.

Unifrog

Unifrog is an innovative online platform designed to streamline the post-secondary education and career exploration process for students at the Aylesbury Vale Academy, offering a comprehensive "one-stop shop" experience for parents and learners alike. This platform serves as a centralised hub where students can explore a multitude of opportunities, including university courses, apprenticeships, college programs, and career pathways, all within a single, user-friendly interface.

For parents, Unifrog provides invaluable insights into their child's educational and career journey, allowing them to track progress, access resources, and support decision-making. From researching different pathways to organising application materials and tracking deadlines, Unifrog empowers parents to actively engage in their child's academic and professional development. With its wide range of features and resources, Unifrog is an indispensable tool for parents looking to navigate the complexities of post-secondary education and career planning alongside their child at AVA. Every learner in the school has been given a unifrog login.

If learners cannot remember their login details, please contact Mrs Proud vproud@theacademy.me

Army Careers

If you are considering a career in the army, please have a look the flyers below to find out more about routes in to the service, including apprenticeships and qualifying college courses.

Army Apprenticeships

Army Careers

Pro:Direct Academy Bucks

The Pro:Direct Academy Bucks is a one or two year programme where footballers will train, play and study full-time.

Players will train to compete in the Tactic League & Cup & ESFA Superleage Cup with exceptional players will receiving opportunities to highlight their ability through our partners Pro:Direct Academy – PDA Eleven and PDA Regional squads all of whom receive the chance to play against professional academy teams, and showcase games with scouts in attendance. Exceptional players will also be signposted to to semi-professional club at Step 2 – 5.

Players will study with a Level 2 or 3 BTEC qualification alongside their football.

You can find out more here.

Certificate of Commitment for the Careers Standard

We are delighted to announce that Aylesbury Vale Academy has been awarded the Certificate of Commitment for the Careers Standard, demonstrating our dedication to providing exceptional careers guidance and opportunities for our students.

This prestigious recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to preparing our students for their future careers by offering comprehensive support, resources, and experiences to help them make informed decisions about their pathways beyond school.

Through this commitment, we aim to equip our students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. We are proud of this achievement and remain steadfast in our mission to empower our students to achieve their full potential.

We will continue to work hard and ensure we obtain the full certificate of the careers quality mark standard.

General Careers information

At the AVA we strive to provide our learners and parents with as much information as possible about careers and the different options young people have when they leave secondary school. As part of that provision please find belows articles that can support you, as a parent, with the important decisions your child faces regarding their future career. If you have any questions or if you would like to
arrange a meeting to discuss future options, please feel free to contact Mrs Proud:
vproud@theacademy.me

If you are interested in upcoming events, for example IBM Apprenticeship opportunities webinar, for KS4 and 5 students and parents on the 12th of October, follow the link below: https://bucksskillshub.org/events
Explore your education and training choices here - https://bucksskillshub.org/career-seeker/resources/explore-your-education-and-training-choices
My career path to a technology degree apprenticeship – https://bucksskillshub.org/career-seeker/resources/my-career-path-to-a-technology-degree-apprenticeship
Careers for Creatives – article - https://bucksskillshub.org/career-seeker/resources/careers-for-creatives

Careers Newsletter

Monthly Careers Newsletter

To all parents, especially those of whose children are in Key Stage 4 and 6th Form, the link below is of a comprehensive careers monthly newsletter for parents and carers. You’ll also find events, activities and on university, work experience, understanding the job market, skills, Labour Market Information (LMI) and everything you need to help prepare young people to enter the fast-changing world of work. The important events for your attention are: South Central Ambulance Services virtual recruitment open day, PwC Flying star degree programmes, KPMG Apprenticeships, The Bucks Skills Show and a National Apprenticeship Week event.