The Careers and Enterprise Company, in partnership with the Gatsby Foundation celebrated the work of schools, colleges, businesses, career professionals at their annual award ceremony on Friday 27ththSeptember at The Royal Society of Chemistry in London. Over 200 nominations were accepted for the 12 categories and the winners were chosen by a panel of independent judges.
Catcote Academy were delighted and honoured to have won the Category for “Special Educational Needs Champion’ for excellence in careers. This is a national and prestigious award and reflects their whole school approach to careers education. It is a testament to the visionary leadership of their CEO Mr Alan Chapman and the hard work and commitment of all the staff, employers and students who have contributed to the continuous development of the careers programme for many years.
Cited – “Catcote Academy have demonstrated extensive employment engagement operating in a disadvantaged community and also made a serious contribution to the creation of the Gatsby benchmarks.”
Representing Catcote at the awards ceremony was Careers Leader Jackie McGarry, Work Related Learning lead Amanda Metcalf, and students Abbey Dowson and Chloe Arnett.
Jackie said “Receiving the award on behalf of Catcote Academy is a real honour and reflects the hard work and commitment of all staff, students and employers to develop a structured careers programme across the Trust. Careers and enterprise is at the heart of everything we do, it is embedded within all key stage areas of the curriculum and across all learning pathways, in order to prepare our students for adulthood and ‘the world of work.’ Our ultimate aim is to increase the amount of young people with special educational needs in obtaining paid employment.”
Catcote Academy and Catcote Futures would like to thank all of our partners who have supported us over the years, including our Enterprise Adviser Mark Rycraft, our Enterprise Co-ordinator Philip Todd, Tees Valley Combined authority, Talentino Career Development Company and our large network of employers who enhance our careers offer.
Amanda said “We are overwhelmed to have won this award. It’s fantastic that Catcote Academy and Futures have been recognised for the development and innovative programmes which have been developed to take careers and enterprise forward over the last five years.
“The personalised programmes of each young person is tailored to their needs, which offers our young people ‘real life’ work experience. These meaningful encounters with employer’s lead to work placements and supported internships raising aspirations and a sense of self-worth.”
Amanda added “The girls really enjoyed the experience of going to London and were a fabulous representation of Catcote Academy.”