Careers education

At Dixons Croxteth Academy, careers education is a core part of ensuring all students are well prepared for their future.

Our careers programme supports all students to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to make informed decisions about their next steps. We aim to create an aspirational culture, challenge stereotypes and ensure every student understands the full range of pathways available, including academic, technical and apprenticeship routes.

Our careers programme  

Students access a structured and progressive careers programme from Year 7 onwards. This includes:  

• Careers learning through the curriculum  

• Dedicated careers sessions, assemblies and events  

• Encounters with employers and workplaces  

• Information about further education, higher education and apprenticeships  

• Access to impartial careers guidance at key transition points  

Our programme is aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks and is designed to support all students, including those with SEND and those at risk of becoming NEET, to achieve positive and sustained destinations. Please see our academy Careers Programme for more details.  

We regularly review and evaluate our careers programme to ensure it is effective, inclusive and meets the needs of our students. This includes feedback from students, parents and staff, alongside destination data and national benchmarking tools.  

Contact our careers lead

For further information about careers provision at our academy, please contact:  

• Careers lead: Ian Makin

• Email: imakin@dixonscr.com 

• Phone: 0151 332 6780

Independent careers advisor 

Leona Lewis is our external career's advisor who works for Career Connect. Leona initially explores students' current perceptions of future career and education choices alongside feedback from their grades and teachers: this is followed by an informative session of possible options and actions for students to undertake. Every student in Year 11 is entitled to an independent careers advice meeting. A summary of each interaction with Leona is shared with the Year 11 student directly with key next steps for the student to undertake. 

If you wish to contact Leona her details are as follows:

Email: leona.lewis@careerconnect.org.uk 

Telephone: 07854 056 782

Careers education review:

The careers education programme at Dixons Croxteth Academy is constantly under review and refinement. A formal, annual review takes place each September when we publish the Careers policy which sets out the intended careers programme for the academic year ahead.

The next annual review is scheduled for September 2026.

Useful resources for students   

• Unifrog: explore careers, compare pathways (A levels, apprenticeships, university) and build a personal progression plan  

• National Careers Service: up-to-date job profiles, skills information and careers quizzes  

• BBC Bitesize Careers: clear, student-friendly guidance on options and next steps 

• Apprenticeships (GOV.UK): search and apply for live apprenticeship opportunities  

• UCAS: information on university courses, applications and higher education pathways  

Useful resources for parents and carers  

• Unifrog (parent access): support young people with researching options and making informed decisions 

• National Careers Service: impartial advice to help support conversations about future pathways  

• Amazing Apprenticeships: guidance on apprenticeships, pathways and employer opportunities  

• UCAS parents’ guide: clear explanations of university routes, finance and applications 

You can find our trust careers policy here.