Support & Guidance
Helping you fulfil your potential
Whilst studying in Post 16 education it is very important that you have access to help tailored to your individual needs in order to fulfil your potential. Students who study at Macmillan Academy have access to a variety of staff who are always available to provide help and advice.
Pastoral System
You will join a tutor group at the start of Year 12 where you will work alongside other students who will be studying a variety of subjects. You will meet with your Personal Tutor every morning, who will be your first point of contact and will provide support, advice and encouragement throughout your time at the Academy. You will also have a Head of Year to provide support and guidance alongside the Head of Post 16.
In the build-up to modular exams you will discuss your progress, first with your subject teachers and then with your tutor. In this way your Personal Tutor becomes well placed to give advice on any study or personal problems should they arise. It also means that you will be well focused for your exams throughout Post 16.
Careers
Macmillan Academy has a purpose-built Careers Library and a full-time Careers Adviser who can meet with you and your parents to discuss career plans. The Careers Library is well resourced and full of up to date employment literature and university prospectuses. As a member of the Academy you can make an appointment for 1:1 advice with our Careers Adviser or one of the two Personal Advisers from Connexions Middlesbrough who work closely within the Academy.
AimHigher
The Academy is part of the AimHigher initiative which aims to raise students’ aspirations about their future destinations. We organise events throughout the year to provide support for you and your parents when considering Higher Education. We hold 2 evenings throughout Year 12 and 13 about applying to university and its financial implications. Visits to universities and careers conventions are organised for you to make the best decision about your future.
EMA
You can receive up to £30 a week under the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Scheme. Any student aged 16-18 can apply for EMA which is designed to support your learning. For more information please contact the Academy EMA Coordinator, Mrs Hill, on (01642) 352790.
Transport
Students attend Macmillan Academy from all parts of Teesside which is why the Academy offers a transport service for Post 16 students to use. You can purchase a bus pass or pay on a daily basis. The Academy also has application forms for half-price bus passes for use on public transport. If you choose to become a bus monitor you may be entitled to a free bus pass.
Work Experience
We encourage everyone in Post 16 to get valuable work experience in Year 12 and 13. Many employers and universities are keen to have young people with experience in the areas that interest them. In Year 12 we have introduced the Project Weeks at the end of the year so that all of you can find the time to organise your own relevant placement.
Gifted & Talented
Students in the Gifted and Talented cohort will get a personalised programme of support throughout Post 16 from the Gifted and Talented coordinator. As part of this programme, you will be able to take part in organised visits to leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge as well as the opportunity to attend a range of courses and specialised events across the country ranging from Medicine and Law to Mathematics. You will also have assistance in finding suitable work experience placements as well as one to one guidance on the university application process and interviews.
