Haverstock School

Karen Marriott

We launched the Career Academy of Business & Finance at Haverstock in September 2006 with five students. Since then over 50 students have been recruited into the Business & Finance or, our newly launched, Creative & Media Academy. The effect on the school as a whole has been enormous.

In April 2005, OFSTED graded the school Satisfactory and by October 2008, we were graded as Good with Outstanding features. Particular emphasis was placed on the school's excellent business links which were facilitated by the Career Academy programme. Now every student - whether on the Career Academy programme or not - is benefitting from the Career Academy ethos, that exposing young people to meaningful workplace networks and experiences, raises their aspirations.

At Haverstock, Career Academy students are an obvious and cohesive group within the school and regularly act as ambassadors. Some students join the school in the sixth form specifically to access the Career Academy programme which is well promoted internally and externally.  Our reputation has grown - we've even recruited a student from Johannesburg who has applied to join next year's Business & Finance Academy!

An annual calendar of Guru Lectures, trips and visits is planned in advance and contains a wide range of speakers and opportunities. Two recent speakers include Maurice Benisty, Chief Investment Officer at GE and Neil Wirasinha, Director of International Advertising/Media at Universal Pictures International. The Guru Lectures are made available to any sixth form student who expresses an interest to attend. This has led to a separate schedule of inspirational talks, planned by sixth formers who suggest speakers they would like to invite to the school.

We are fortunate to have a very engaged Local Advisory Board who take ownership of the Career Academy programme and are involved in the selection of students. This year we are planning two dinners (we have too many business supporters and students for one!) to bring current students, alumni students and senior figures from our supporting businesses to meet and network. Past Career Academy students, who have had time to reflect on the programme and realise how special their experience on it has been, are very keen to take part in these activities and motivate current students to make the most of the opportunities!

Recruitment of Partners in Business volunteers (mentors) has been so successful that extra volunteers have been matched with other sixth form students as well as some Year 11 students. Many employers who initially supported the Career Academy are now involved in other programmes across the school to support a wider range of students.  Examples include a share trading club, business planning competitions, presentation and interview practice, and work experience for Year 10 students.  The range of employers we work with has also grown.  Recent additions include The Cabinet Office (providing mentors and devising and running a teambuilding and values day) and Camden Council.  

When I look back to when I started the Career Academy journey, on Career Academies UK's Year of Planning, and reflect on where the school is now, I feel very proud of the achievements of the students. It's rewarding to hear from our alumni that the experiences they had at Haverstock and as part of the Career Academy are helping to set them up in their professional working life.