At The Acorns School, we are committed to supporting our pupils to reach their full academic, social, and emotional potential. A crucial part of this commitment is our robust careers provision which plays a vital role in helping pupils progress to positive destinations following their GCSEs.

Throughout the 2024/25 academic year, we supported a cohort of of 32 Year 11 pupils. We are delighted that 66.5 per cent have progressed to further education at local colleges, including West Lancashire College, Southport College, and Myerscough College. In addition, 12.5 per cent have successfully secured apprenticeships or employment in sectors such as construction, electrical installations, hair and beauty, and motor vehicle maintenance and mechanics.

We are extremely proud to have guided our pupils in making informed choices about their futures, enabling them to build on the foundations they established here at The Acorns School as they move into further education and employment.

After more than three months in their new settings, we caught up with one of our former pupils who is now studying public services at West Lancashire College. This pupil has already been awarded Student of the Year in recognition of their dedication and hard work. We are immensely proud of their achievements and the resilience they have shown in overcoming challenges to succeed on their chosen pathway.

To continue strengthening our careers support and ensure we secure the best possible futures for our pupils, we have been working with Career North since September. We are fortunate to have Zack North, one of Career North’s experienced independent careers advisors, based at The Acorns School two days a week.

Zack has been working with all pupils from Year 8 to Year 11, helping them explore a wide range of career pathways. For our Key Stage 4 pupils in Year 10 and 11, he has placed particular emphasis on CV development and guiding them through application processes as they prepared for their post-16 options.

Zack says: “The impact Career North has had with The Acorns School pupils has already proven to be significant. We provide independent, impartial careers support to all pupils using a variety of delivery methods, including one-to-one guidance, workshops, activities, and careers trips. The rapport we have established with staff and pupils at The Acorns School has been extremely rewarding.

“With the support of school staff, we have helped pupils begin, and in many cases complete, their college applications, start their journey toward apprenticeships, and develop essential employability skills. As a Level 6 qualified careers adviser with experience across different industries, I understand how important it is for young people to discover their passions. I am committed to ensuring pupils leave school with as many opportunities as possible.

“Career North is highly regarded for its innovative approach to information, advice and guidance (IAG), and we tailor our support to each pupil. Whether discussing the benefits of work experience or delivering an employability workshop, our aim is to give pupils the tools they need to excel in their chosen careers. We support all aspects of career development, including understanding qualifications, exploring new career routes, researching labour market information, identifying opportunities, pathways into further and higher education, apprenticeship preparation, and readiness for the workplace. Whatever the question, we are here to make the careers journey more accessible.

“I recognise that pupils can feel nervous when discussing their future. That is why our meetings are ‘careers conversations’ rather than interviews - informal, relaxed, and pressure-free. This time is for the pupil, and my role is to guide them, providing reassurance and helping reduce any barriers they may face.”

Zack brings a unique and approachable style to his work, drawing on both his Level 6 CEIAG qualification and his previous experience with a respected local housing association and a major outdoor activity provider. These experiences enable him to deliver engaging and dynamic activities that support our pupils’ learning and development. He uses a range of coaching and mentoring techniques to help pupils achieve their career aspirations.