STEWARDS Academy recently passed through the final assessment for the ROQA (Recognition of Quality Award) in Careers and Work Related Learning and on 29th November received official recognition at the Awards Event at County Hall Chelmsford.
 
To achieve the Award, a comprehensive portfolio of the CEIAG/WRL (Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance/Work Related Learning) programme was submitted for rigorous assessment and accreditation by the awarding body, and the assessment made against national standards by an expert external CEIAG assessor. The award is recognised by Ofsted as a good indication of excellent provision of CEIAG/WRL.

Mr Gary Cooper, Careers Guidance Officer, and Miss Helen Care, Work Related Learning Coordinator, who were heavily involved in putting together the portfolio of evidence, attended the ceremony in the Council Chambers at County Hall Chelmsford and were accompanied by Mr Mark Scholtes, Deputy Headteacher, and 10 students and ex-students who had contributed so successfully at the final assessment held at Stewards Academy in October.

Heading the event was Councillor Aldridge who emphasised the importance of careers work in schools and the value of working in partnership with local businesses, education providers, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) related career ambassadors, to give our young people the best possible start in their working lives.

Guest speaker was Julia Yates, Programme Leader, MSC Career Coaching, at the School of Psychology at the University of East London, who presented ‘Contemporary Challenges to Careers Education and Guidance’. Julia introduced us to the developments in careers work from the early times to present day where we find new challenges for our young people in planning their careers and the evolving ways of supporting them to learn the skills to do so. She left us with the thought that everyone should not just be encouraged to find what they want to do, but more to discover who they want to be.

This was a marvellous occasion for all concerned and which recognised the effort that has been put in by so many people at Stewards Academy in obtaining the prestigious ROQA award. The young students thoroughly enjoyed the evening and will have been inspired to achieve their best, and the future for all Stewards Academy students will be enhanced by the programme of Careers and Work Related Learning that the award recognises.

Headteacher Rhonda Murthar said; “ This award is testament to the excellent careers advice and guidance we provide to students. My congratulations to the team who have worked hard and who thoroughly deserve this recognition”.