Inspired by our values of collaboration, opportunity, respect and excellence, Rockwood Academy is committed to ensuring that pathways to success are as diverse and bespoke as the young people we serve.
Our CEIAG and Employability Plan can be found together with details of our Careers Provision on the Statutory Information Page.
Rockwood is here to help shape our students’ futures, whether that’s moving on to further education (colleges, additional courses) or to higher education (university) or into apprenticeships or jobs.
We encourage students to think carefully about what interests them in terms of careers, courses or university subjects. Their choices are supported by our careers guidance team.
We place great emphasis on developing students’ entrepreneurial skills so that they’re well prepared for the world they’ll face in the future. Enterprise is about having an idea and making it happen.
We are proud to say that all of our previous Year 11 students have stayed in education after leaving us.
Our published information on this page is reviewed and updated annually. Our next update is due in the coming September.
The fast-changing world of work puts an ever-greater demand on all of us to support young people in making a successful transition from education to employment, helping them to identify and choose career opportunities that are right for them.
The Government’s Careers Strategy and statutory guidance for school leaders and school staff sets out the plan for building a high-quality careers system that will help young people to achieve. At the heart of our career strategy, the eight Gatsby Benchmarks have been developed and define all the elements of an excellent careers programme.
Careers provision for STEM at Rockwood:
At Rockwood Academy, our comprehensive STEM career provision targets all students from Years 7 to 11, offering a diverse range of activities that foster curiosity and engagement both within and beyond the science curriculum. Every student participates in key events such as British Science Week and the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
A dedicated Science and STEM club is available to Key Stage 3 students, and throughout both Key Stages, we provide targeted opportunities designed to support students in pursuing STEM pathways post-16. These opportunities include:
- Medical workshops
- Junior Engineering Educational Programs
- CSI workshops
- STEMLikeUs mentoring programme
- University Discovery Daya
- NextGen nursing
Our students have proudly represented the Academy in prestigious annual quizzes at the University of Birmingham and Oxford. Additionally, two students have been selected as Junior Genius Scholars and have secured valuable partnerships through the Generating Genius programme.
The Academy proudly champions female engagement with STEM, with every STEM activity comprising of a minimum 50% female uptake. More recently two of our female scientists secured placements on the prestigious University of Oxford EMPower residential programme.
Through these initiatives, Rockwood Academy is committed to equipping students with the skills, experiences, and opportunities necessary to thrive in STEM fields and inspire future career aspirations.
Work Experience at Rockwood Academy:
We take great pride in offering our Year 10 students invaluable work experience through our partnership with ‘Learn to Work.’ We are dedicated to ensuring that every student is placed in a position that aligns with their interests. By working closely with parents and engaging with a wide range of industries, we ensure that these placements are not only meaningful but also impactful. Throughout this experience, students gain hands-on exposure to the professional world, developing key skills that will benefit them long after they leave school and prepare them for success post-16.
In addition, we collaborate with Connexions to provide each student with a tailored career interview session, supporting them in making informed decisions regarding their future pathways. Students are also given the opportunity to visit local colleges to explore relevant courses, allowing them to gain insight into post-secondary education and envision their future studies.
We have organised ‘Application Days’ during which representatives from local colleges have visited the school to assist our students with their post-16 applications and address any questions they may have regarding their chosen courses.
Explore Careers and Courses
Parents Guide to Post-16
The Parent Perspective Podcast
LMI Guide – MY WAY Into The World Of Work
Apprenticeships – Guide for Parents
Start Careers Information
icould
National Careers Service
UCAS
The Student Room
Career Pilot
Studential – Further Education
Studential – Vocational Courses
University Compare
University Clearing
Apprenticeships and Job Guidance
Apprenticeships and employment offer exciting opportunities to gain valuable experience, develop new skills and earn while you learn. Explore apprenticeship pathways, job search advice, CV and interview guidance, and resources to help you prepare for the workplace. Whether you’re taking your first step into employment or planning your future career, you’ll find practical support to help you succeed.
School Leavers Jobs
Step into the nhs
Tomorrow’s Engineers
Apprenticeships
Labour Market Information
Careermag (for parents)
Amazing Apprenticeships
Colleges
Choosing the right post-16 destination is an important step in planning your future. Explore local colleges, sixth forms and grammar school sixth forms to discover the courses, qualifications and opportunities available. Compare entry requirements, subject choices and enrichment programmes to find the pathway that best matches your interests, strengths and career ambitions.
All Further Education Courses in Birmingham
If you want to get in touch with our Careers Lead contact Mr D Cooke on 0121 556 6500