Badgers Hill achieves quality standard for careers work

Integration @ Badgers Hill in Calcot, an iCollege alternative provision for young people unable to access mainstream education has been awarded the national Quality in Careers Standard.

 Achieving the Standard shows the head teacher, governors and leadership team embrace, promote and endorse quality careers education and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of the school and its learners.

There is a statutory duty to 'secure independent careers guidance' for all learners from year 8 onwards and Government recommends that all schools should work towards the Standard. However, this is not mandatory, so it is the choice of the school to not only work beyond the minimum standards, but to hold themselves up for independent scrutiny.

Jacqueline Davies, Headteacher at iCollege says,

"We're thrilled to have achieved the national Quality in Careers Standard. At iCollege we recognise the important role school plays in helping learners develop their knowledge, skills and experience so they can go out into the world and achieve personal success. This Standard has provided a flexible framework that enabled us to audit our work on careers and ensure our learners receive the advice, practical support and experience to prepare them for the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training."

Heather Codling, West Berkshire's Executive Member for Children, Education and Young People's Services says,

"This is a brilliant achievement which has taken a great deal of hard work and commitment.  It says an awful lot about iCollege, not least that they are prepared to go above and beyond for the benefit of their students. Their ethos of providing opportunities for all aligns completely with our priority. Congratulations everyone at Badgers Hill on this award and for the excellent provision and support they provide for the children and young people here in West Berkshire."