Information for Students

At Ormiston SWB Academy, our goal is to ensure every student—regardless of year group or personal ambitions—receives the guidance and support they need to make informed decisions about their future. We’re committed to offering a comprehensive careers programme that is both inclusive and tailored to each individual’s interests and aspirations.

How We Support You

  1. One-to-One Careers Guidance
    • You can book personal appointments with Mr Wall to discuss everything from subject choices to post-16 or post-18 options, including apprenticeships, college courses, and university routes.
    • These sessions are confidential and tailored to your needs, ensuring you receive the best possible advice.
  2. Interactive Workshops & Assemblies
    • We regularly host careers-focused assemblies and workshops featuring guest speakers from industry, higher education, and apprenticeship providers.
    • These sessions give you real-world insights into a variety of career paths, helping you identify the routes that best align with your skills and interests.
  3. Ongoing Mentoring & Support
    • Our dedicated carers team can offer guidance about options at critical times—like Year 9 options and Year 11 post-16 transitions.
    • We also work with with many external organisations and employers to provide mentorship opportunities, mock interviews, and work experience placements.
  4. Use of Online Platforms
    • You have access to Unifrog, an award-winning platform designed to support you with your next steps.
    • Your parents/carers can also access Unifrog, so they can support you in choosing subjects, applying for apprenticeships or universities, and exploring career pathways together.
  5. Tailored Support
    • If you have specific requirements—such as learning difficulties or additional needs—our careers team will provide targeted support to ensure you’re fully accessing all careers activities and opportunities.
    • We work closely with the SEN department and external professionals to create a smooth, inclusive experience, ensuring everyone can benefit equally from our careers education.

Unifrog – Your Future, Without the Panic

We use Unifrog to help you figure out what comes next – whether that’s sixth form, college, an apprenticeship, university, or a career you haven’t even heard of yet.

What can you do on Unifrog?

On Unifrog you can:

  • Explore careers and see what they’re actually like
  • Check entry requirements for college, sixth form, and university
  • Compare apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships
  • Build a CV and personal statement that doesn’t sound like it was written by a potato
  • Record skills, achievements, and work experience
  • Find virtual work experience and online courses

Everything is in one place, so you don’t have to open 47 tabs and hope for the best.

How we use it in school

You’ll use Unifrog during:

  • careers lessons and tutor activities
  • options and next-steps planning
  • work experience preparation
  • applications for college, sixth form, apprenticeships, and university

The work you save stays with you through school, so by Year 11 and Year 13 you’ve already got a head start.

Why it actually helps

  • Shows you options you didn’t know existed
  • Helps match careers to your interests and subjects
  • Makes applications easier (and less scary)

How to log in

Go to www.unifrog.org and sign in using your school email.
If you’re stuck or forget your password – come and see Mr Wall and he will sort it.

Need help?

Careers isn’t about having your whole life planned at 14. It’s about exploring, asking questions, and working out what fits you. Unifrog is there to help with that – and so are we.

👉 Speak to Mr Wall or email him via [email protected]

Further Information & Guidance

  • Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/
    Our main platform for career exploration, personal statement drafting, and university/apprenticeship research.
  • National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
    Official government site offering job profiles, CV advice, and guidance on courses and funding.
  • UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/
    The go-to site for exploring higher education courses, entry requirements, and application guidelines.
  • Apprenticeships.gov.uk: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
    Information on apprenticeships, including how to apply, available programmes, and employer insights.
  • Careers in the Curriculum
    Speak with your subject teachers to see how lessons relate to real-world careers. We embed career-related learning into our curriculum to help you connect classroom knowledge to future possibilities.

Understanding Labour Market Information (LMI) is an essential part of making informed decisions about your future. LMI provides insights into current and projected employment trends, highlighting which industries are growing, the types of roles in demand, the skills employers are looking for, and the potential salaries you could earn. This information helps you align your ambitions and studies with real-world opportunities—ensuring your choices lead to a fulfilling and successful career.

Why LMI Matters

  • Informed Decisions: When you know which sectors are expanding or contracting, you can make wiser choices about qualifications, apprenticeships, or university courses.
  • Local & National Context: LMI covers everything from local industries and employers right up to national and global trends, giving you the bigger picture of what’s possible.
  • Future-Proof Your Skills: By spotting emerging roles (such as green energy, digital tech, or creative industries), you can focus on skills that will remain in high demand.
  • Boost Confidence: Having clear, relevant data helps you feel more secure in your path—whether that’s pursuing a college course, an apprenticeship, or a graduate-level qualification.

Tying Into the Gatsby Benchmarks

At Ormiston SWB Academy, we weave LMI across our CORE Programme, ensuring that all students—starting in Year 7—have the knowledge they need to explore, plan, and succeed in their future pathways.

Where to Find LMI

  • National Careers Service
    https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
    Offers detailed job profiles, typical salaries, required qualifications, and employment forecasts.
  • LMI for All
    http://www.lmiforall.org.uk/
    A dedicated data portal providing UK-wide labour market statistics and interactive tools.
  • Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
    Check your regional LEP website for specific details on local growth sectors, upcoming job opportunities, and employer needs.
  • Unifrog
    https://www.unifrog.org/
    Alongside career exploration tools, Unifrog integrates up-to-date LMI, helping you understand entry requirements and potential earnings for various roles.

How We Use LMI at Ormiston SWB Academy

  1. Curriculum Links
    We incorporate LMI into relevant subject lessons, so you can see how what you’re learning today aligns with tomorrow’s jobs.
  2. Careers Guidance
    Our Careers Team uses LMI in one-to-one sessions, workshops, and assemblies to illustrate real-life examples of thriving local and national industries.
  3. Parental Engagement
    We encourage parents and carers to access LMI as well, supporting conversations at home about future options and in-demand skills.
  4. Work Experience & Employer Talks
    We collaborate with local employers who share firsthand insights on current trends and roles within their sectors—reinforcing everything you learn from LMI data.

Next Steps

  • Explore the websites above to see which fields are on the rise and what skills they require.
  • Speak with our Careers Lead, Mr Wall, if you’d like more detailed guidance on applying LMI to your personal career goals.

By staying updated on labour market trends, you’ll be better equipped to navigate an ever-changing career landscape—empowering you to take control of your future and seize new opportunities as they arise.

Next Steps

  • Book a Meeting
    To arrange a one-to-one discussion with Mr Wall, please visit the Careers Office or email him directly.
  • Join a Workshop
    Look out for announcements and sign-ups for our next careers workshop or guest speaker event.
  • Explore & Research
    Spend some time on Unifrog or the helpful links above to dive deeper into the careers that spark your interest.

We’re here to help you discover, plan, and achieve your dreams. If you have any questions—or need support in figuring out your next steps—feel free to reach out. We look forward to guiding you along your journey toward a bright and fulfilling future!