Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)

Connexions are available to the 6^th form students every Wednesday. Students are able to make appointments with the connexions staff to discuss pathways, college applications and further education advice.

The Connexions Direct national website and helpline service has a direct link for our students on the VLE. This provides young people with information, advice and support on a range of issues, including careers and learning.

Also available every Wednesday is an IAG ‘drop in’ which is organized by the Enterprise Hub. This drop in surgery enables 6^th form students to receive information about careers, pathways to jobs and further/higher education.

The school has arranged a specialist LAC school nurse to offer a health drop in surgery every Wednesday. 6^th form students are able to visit the nurse and receive advice/guidance on healthy issues/worries they may have. In addition to this service there is a variety of days organized for sexual health, general health and Red Cross events.

The VLE provides students with a student welfare area where they can access a variety of resources in relation to all aspects of health and wellbeing, and be able to contact the school welfare officer at any time via VLE e-mail.

College Fairs are held once a year at Manchester Academy to enable 6^th form students to speak to representatives from local colleges about course pathways, entry requirements, careers and general questions about further education. College applications, college and university information is available in the 6^th form LRC and is the focus of half termly assemblies and Connexions sessions.

As part of the Enterprise specialism, the 6th form students have opportunities to run their own Business/Enterprise ventures such as making, marketing and selling chocolates and the allotment. Throughout the year they will be able to participate in Enterprise initiatives as part of the whole school specialism.

On a daily basis the House Tutors play a vital role in delivering IAG. They dedicate time in form completing activities such as e-safety sessions, college applications, option choices, independent study support/advice as well as being the first point of contact for any issues arising with the 6th form students in their form.