A SECONDARY school in York has earned national recognition for its outstanding careers work.

Vale of York Academy in Clifton, York - formerly Canon Lee - has been awarded the national Quality in Careers Standard by Prospects.

The national Quality in Careers Standard is awarded to schools and education providers who can demonstrate the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about their life after school.

Liz Hardy, assistant vice principal, said that the school - which is part of the Hope Learning Trust along with Manor CE in Nether Poppleton, Barlby High and several primary schools - continually works to improve the chances and opportunities of all its students. She said that recognising the importance of preparing students for their future careers is why the school began working towards the award.

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Ms Hardy said: “We are thrilled to have achieved the national Quality in Careers Standard.

"At Vale of York Academy, we recognise the important role school plays in helping students develop their knowledge, skills and experience so they can go out into the world and achieve personal success.

"This award has provided a flexible framework that enabled us to audit our work on careers and ensure our students are receiving advice, practical support and experience so they are prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training.”

More than 1,100 schools and colleges are already voluntarily working towards or have achieved the national standard for careers.

There is a statutory duty to ‘secure independent careers guidance’ for all students from Year 8 onwards and the Government also recommends that all schools should be required to work towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.

Achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard shows the governors and leadership team at Vale of York Academy embrace, promote and endorse quality careers education and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of the school and its students.

Vale of York’s newly appointed principal, Toby Eastaugh, said: “This is wonderful news to receive in my first week here.

"Liz and the team are to be congratulated as they have worked incredibly hard to secure this recognition. Our students benefit from having a framework which ensures that as a school we provide as much information, guidance and support as we can, in readiness for them taking their next steps after school.”