Castleford Academy has been nominated for an award that celebrates success in widening access to higher education (HE).

The school, which is part of Go Higher West Yorkshire’s (GHWY) Uni Connect (UC) programme, has been shortlisted in the NEON Awards. This is in recognition of the measures it has in place for pupil premium, academic attainment, and Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). These ensure its students make informed and confident decisions about progression into HE.

Its comprehensive strategies and programmes include a full-time GHWY HE Progression Officer. They co-ordinate a sustainable and progressive programme of HE related activity that includes working collaboratively on a wide range of projects and initiatives with HE providers, employers, local schools and running a HE Student Council.

Following the Academy’s recent OFSTED ‘Outstanding’ rating it delivers a ‘Journey to Outstanding’ CPD package that presents the impact of its careers and UC work and shares best practice with schools nationally. Its commitment to CEIAG has also been recognised nationally, having received the Quality in Careers Gold Award.

Kathryn Chippendale, Assistant Headteacher/Careers Lead at Castleford Academy, said: “We are very proud of the support we provide for our pupils across the Academy. Their journey to further and higher education ensures pupils have more opportunities for their future career pathways and supporting them through careers guidance, Uni Connect and our careers curriculum across the Academy plays a vital part in this journey.”

Award winners will be announced on Thursday, 22 October and will recognise students who have progressed to HE from widening access backgrounds, and how they made this journey.

NEON is the professional organisation supporting those involved in widening access to HE. It enables those working to widen access to HE at all levels and in all sectors to affect change in their own organisations and communities.