Secure an Elite Degree Apprenticeship in Months

and Beat the 0.7% Acceptance Rate.

Discover the proven 3-step system that’s helped hundreds secure elite apprenticeship offers — fast, simple, and built for students without top grades or connections.

Student Wins Inside Vanguards Academy

You’ve been told degree apprenticeships are impossible to obtain.

Our students proved otherwise – from rejection letters to multiple elite degree apprenticeship offers.

How Vanguards Academy Helped Hadi (Year 13) Turn Rejections into a £30,000+ Wealth Management Degree Apprenticeship Offer

How Vanguards Academy Helped Elliot (Gap Year) Turn Personal Struggles into 3 Finance Degree Apprenticeship Offers Worth £30,000+ Each

How Vanguards Academy Helped Yashleen (Year 13) Turn 20 Rejections Into a £25,000+ Offer from KPMG

How Vanguards Academy Helped Elliot (Gap Year) Turn Personal Struggles into 3 Finance Degree Apprenticeship Offers Worth £30,000+ Each

How Vanguards Academy Helped Elliot (Gap Year) Turn Personal Struggles into 3 Finance Degree Apprenticeship Offers Worth £30,000+ Each

How Vanguards Academy Helped Yashleen (Year 13) Turn 20 Rejections Into a £25,000+ Offer from KPMG

Testimonials from our Students

Hi Sami, I know you're probably swamped in these types of messages at the moment, but I've just received an apprenticeship offer from Kennedys, and I just need to thank you for playing a pretty big part in that. Your advice on applications and assessment centres and everything else has been such a life saver, so thank you very much.

Yashleen Gulati

Thanks Sami, your advise has helped me I'll be an incoming jp Morgan degree apprentice if I get this grades.

Chantelle Sesay

I was applying to a Big 4 Firm and contacted Sami for support on the application process as well as just a insight of being an apprentice at KPMG. Thanks to him I managed to pass the application, delivering outcome interviews stage, moreover progress onto the last stage which is the assessment centre. Sami's has been a great, inspiring person helping me with his advise and further link to help me, where I wouldn't have found links to help me, where I wouldn't have found on the internet or by asking a teacher for instance, I am beyond thankful for his help.

Chantelle Sesay

All Glory to God.
I'm excited to share that I've recently secured a new job - and I owe a huge part of this achievement to Vanguards Society
Being part of the Vanguard network has been a game-changer for my professional development. through their support, I was able to significantly improve my CV, strengthen my interview skills, and gain access to valuable career opportunities.

Kiyanna Lawrence

I contacted Sami for advice around the application process. During my personal degree apprenticeship applications, it helped me tremendously by providing clear and practical steps, boosting my confidence, and enhancing my application strategy.

Abdul Hadi

I contacted Sami for advice around the application process. During my personal degree apprenticeship applications, it helped me tremendously by providing clear and practical steps, boosting my confidence, and enhancing my application strategy. Sami's insights were invaluable in navigating the complexities of the process, ultimately helping me secure my desired apprenticeship. I highly recommend Sami's course as a top-notch resource for anyone pursuing a degree apprenticeship.

Zakariya Rahman

Hi Sophie I hope you're well! I got the offer!!! I wanted to take a minute to thank you, your advice really helped and I finally got an offer after months of rejection, thank you so much again!

Rutvi Patel

Hey Sami, wanted to say that you're having a big impact in the apprenticeship space and helping loads of people with their apprenticeships application (including me when I was applying to them!). Also congrats with the Vanguards Society.

Farrukh Ahmad

I just want to say that Vanguards Society is one of the most outstanding communities in the apprentice world. I highly recommend as many people join, because the depth of guidance and information that is being provided, is one that is nothing short of exemplary.

Cenk Mustafa

I approached Sami seeking some additional advice for one of my clients preparing for KPMG's stage 3 video Assessment. His response was well tailored and not ordinary, instead he broke down what to expect bit by bit without giving too much away, kept a friendly tone and gave his insights on answering market-related questions. Using Sami's guidance, my client was able to pass the application stage successfully thanks to Sami's clear and thorough explanation which made a significant difference in the preparation.

LinkedIn Member

Thank you man. Recently I was in an assessment center and one of the current apprentices actually mentioned you by name directing us to your informative posts. Keep up the great work bro.

Adil Shahed

Hi Sami, I know you're probably swamped in these types of messages at the moment, but I've just received an apprenticeship offer from Kennedys, and I just need to thank you for playing a pretty big part in that. Your advice on applications and assessment centers and everything else has been such a life saver, so thank you very much.

Connor yu

What Parents Need to Know

Your child's debt-free path to elite early careers

Your Complete Guide to Our Degree Apprenticeships Coaching Programs

Testimonials from Parents

What Your School Gets

Turn your students into successful apprenticeship applicants - with zero extra workload for your staff.

University vs. Degree Apprenticeship

The Traditional University Route vs. The Degree Apprentice Advantage

Traditional Uni Path

Degree Apprentice Path

FAQs

What if I’ve already been rejected?

That’s exactly who this is for. We’ve helped students get into KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and PwC after 10–20+ rejections. The issue is usually strategy, not ability.

Fine. We show you how to join online programs, create mini-projects, and use outreach to get real experience. Many got offers without an in-person internship.

No. We help you explore finance, law, tech, consulting, and media, then match you to roles that fit your strengths and interests.

Many see results in 2–4 weeks. Some land interviews after the first CV sprint, others take a few months.

Yes. This works alongside UCAS so you have both options.

What if I’ve already been rejected?

That’s exactly who this is for. We’ve helped students get into KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and PwC after 10–20+ rejections. The issue is usually strategy, not ability.

Fine. We show you how to join online programs, create mini-projects, and use outreach to get real experience. Many got offers without an in-person internship.

No. We help you explore finance, law, tech, consulting, and media, then match you to roles that fit your strengths and interests.

Many see results in 2–4 weeks. Some land interviews after the first CV sprint, others take a few months.

Yes. This works alongside UCAS so you have both options.

Guarantee

Guarantee

7-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Try the full system risk-free. If you're not confident after 7 days, we'll refund you – no questions asked.

Guarantee

7-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Try the full system risk-free. If you're not confident after 7 days, we'll refund you – no questions asked.

Guarantee

7-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Try the full system risk-free. If you're not confident after 7 days, we'll refund you – no questions asked.

About Vanguards Academy

We’re led by Sami Paul, a Big 4 degree apprentice who secured his offer at 18 and has since helped hundreds of students secure apprenticeships at firms like KPMG, JP Morgan, BBC, Google, Schroders, and PwC.
Vanguards Academy is the UK’s leading apprenticeship readiness platform — built specifically to help schools guide their Year 12 and 13 students into elite degree apprenticeships without adding to teacher workload.

Why Schools Choose Vanguards

Unlike generic careers resources or time-consuming 1:1 guidance, Vanguards provides schools with a complete, automated system that delivers expert apprenticeship support at scale:

For Your Students:

For Your School:

Whether your students are high achievers looking beyond university or those needing alternative pathways, our platform ensures every student gets the guidance they deserve — while respecting your team’s limited time and resources.

About Our Founder

Sami Paul understands the apprenticeship journey firsthand. After securing his Big 4 degree apprenticeship at 18, he recognised that most students fail not due to lack of ability, but lack of proper guidance. His mission is to democratise access to elite apprenticeships by providing every school with the tools and expertise previously available only to the privileged few.
Today, Vanguards Academy is trusted by the UK to transform their apprenticeship provision having already impacted 4 million+ students and parents across social medias, helping hundreds land offers – from comprehensives to grammar schools in the UK.

Privacy Policy

Vanguards Academy Ltd (“we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect personal information when you use our website, platform, and associated services.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal information:

1.1 From Schools and Teachers

  • Name, role, school email address, and contact number
  • School name and demographic data

1.2 From Students

  • First name, last name, school email address, year group
  • Progress data (e.g., lesson completions, quiz scores, uploaded documents)
  • Platform engagement (e.g., logins, timestamps, tool usage)

1.3 From Parents or Guardians

  • Voluntarily submitted contact information (e.g., email)

1.4 Automatically Collected

  • IP address, browser type, device type, usage logs
  • Cookies and analytics data for performance monitoring

2. How We Use This Information

We use your data for the following purposes:

  • To provide access to our platform and services
  • To monitor and improve student progress
  • To issue usage reports for teachers and school leaders
  • To support safeguarding and user safety
  • To deliver support and customer service
  • To inform updates and improvements to our platform

We do not use personal data for advertising or sell it to third parties.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data based on:

  • Performance of a contract (e.g. service agreement with schools)
  • Legitimate interests (e.g. service improvement, educational analytics)
  • Consent (where required, e.g. parent emails or testimonials)
  • Legal obligations (e.g. safeguarding, data protection compliance)

4. Data Sharing & Third Parties

We may share data with trusted third parties to provide functionality and support, including:

  • Learning management tools (e.g. analytics, AI assistance)
  • Email delivery tools (for onboarding and updates)
  • Hosting providers and secure storage services

All vendors are GDPR-compliant and bound by strict confidentiality and security terms.

We never share student data with advertisers or unrelated third parties.

5. Data Retention

  • Student and teacher data is retained for the duration of the service agreement and up to 12 months after contract termination, unless earlier deletion is requested.
  • Aggregated, anonymised data may be retained for statistical analysis.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures, including:

  • SSL encryption
  • Secure data hosting on UK or EU-based servers
  • Role-based access control
  • Routine audits and monitoring

7. Your Rights (Under UK GDPR)

You have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal data
  • Correct or update inaccurate data
  • Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”)
  • Object to processing or request restriction
  • Lodge a complaint with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office)

8. Children’s Data

Our services are designed for schools and students aged 13+. All student data is collected and managed in partnership with schools. We do not knowingly collect personal data directly from children without institutional or parental involvement.

9. Contact

For any data protection or privacy questions, contact our Data Protection Lead:

Sami Paul

Email: support@vanguardsacademy.com

Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of Vanguards Academy’s platform and services. By accessing our site or using our services, you agree to these Terms.

1. Use of Our Services

1.1 Eligibility

Our services are intended for use by UK secondary schools, educators, parents, and students aged 13+.

1.2 School Responsibility

By purchasing a license or accessing our platform, the school agrees to manage student access appropriately, ensure safeguarding measures are in place, and maintain accurate records.

1.3 Account Management

Schools and users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of login credentials and ensuring accounts are not shared or misused.

2. Intellectual Property

All platform content — including lessons, videos, templates, and tools — is the intellectual property of Vanguards Academy Ltd. You may not copy, distribute, or modify our materials without express written permission.

Licensed schools may use materials internally for the duration of their subscription.

3. Payment & Access

3.1 Subscription Fees

Access to the full platform is granted upon payment of the agreed annual license fee. All fees are non-refundable unless otherwise stated.

3.2 Renewal & Termination

Subscriptions automatically expire at the end of the agreed period unless renewed. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for misuse or breach of these Terms.

4. Acceptable Use

Users must not:

  • Share platform access with unauthorised users
  • Upload harmful, illegal, or offensive content
  • Attempt to bypass security or misuse platform functionality

5. Limitation of Liability

Vanguards Academy provides educational support and tools but does not guarantee specific outcomes, such as job offers. While we take every measure to ensure accuracy and reliability, we are not liable for decisions made based on platform use.

6. Amendments

We may update these Terms periodically. Continued use of the platform after updates constitutes acceptance. We will notify account holders of any significant changes.

7. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved under the jurisdiction of UK courts.

8. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

Sami Paul

Email: support@vanguardsacademy.com

 

Teacher Implementation Guide

What We Need From You

1- Student List

2- Main Contact Teacher

What Happens Next

Within 24 hours:

Two Ways to Deliver: Choose What Works

1- Independent Learning (Recommended)

Self-paced with light supervision

Setup (One-time):

Monitoring (5 mins weekly):

Teacher Role: Encourage participation and celebrate wins

2- Careers Lesson Delivery

50-minute sessions, teacher-led, maximum impact

Setup (Week 1 only - 20 minutes):

Weekly Routine (50 minutes):

Teacher Role: Press play, facilitate discussion, promote careers learning

Year-Long Delivery Schedule

Year 12 Journey (Sept-July)

Year 13 Journey (Sept-March)

Module Teacher Delivery Guide

(Aligned to Gatsby Benchmarks + Ofsted)

Apprenticeship Program & Gatsby Benchmarks
Module / Theme Time Gatsby Benchmarks Intended Output Evidence for Ofsted/Gatsby
1. Apprenticeship Foundations 2 × 50 min BM 2, BM 7 LinkedIn profiles + 5 target employers Screenshots of student LinkedIn profiles; employer research sheets
2. Work Experience 3 × 50 min BM 5, BM 6 Work experience applications submitted Application tracker; confirmation emails; reflective logs
3. Finding Apprenticeships 2 × 50 min BM 2, BM 3 20+ apprenticeship opportunities identified Completed opportunity tracker; student presentations
4. Organisation & Tracking 1 × 50 min BM 3 Live application tracker in use Individual trackers with deadlines logged
5. CV Mastery 3 × 50 min BM 4, BM 8 Professional CV tailored to roles Final CVs uploaded; teacher review forms
6. Written Applications 2 × 50 min BM 4, BM 8 Real applications completed & submitted Cover letters; application answers; submission confirmations
7. Interview Skills 3 × 50 min BM 5, BM 8 Students interview-ready Mock interview recordings; peer/teacher feedback forms
8. Online Tests 2 × 50 min BM 3 Confidence in psychometric tests & SJTs Practice test scores; reflection sheets
9. Assessment Centres 2 × 50 min BM 5, BM 8 Preparedness for AC activities Observation checklists; group exercise feedback
10. Offer Decisions 1 × 50 min BM 3, BM 7, BM 8 Clear framework for choosing offers Decision matrix; copies of offer letters

Social Proof & Public Recognition

Why this works for Gatsby/Ofsted

Module Teacher Delivery Guide

(Aligned to Gatsby Benchmarks + Ofsted)

Gatsby Benchmarks Implementation
Theme Benchmarks How Delivered in Elite Apprenticeship Academy
1. Programme Overview 1 Full structured curriculum with tracking, Q&A calls, and pre-mapped modules
2. Labour Market Insight (LMI) 2 Company research tasks, sector breakdowns, salary analysis, application open dates
3. Personalisation & Needs 3, 8 Progress tracking, CV iterations, review notes, mentorship support
4. Curriculum-Linked Skills 4 Subject-linked CVs (e.g. Maths → Finance), reflective tasks that connect learning to work
5. Employer Engagement 5, 6 Guest sessions, employer videos, real-world application tasks, STAR bullet rewrites from real firms
6. Work Experience / Exposure 6 Work experience confirmations, student-submitted experience logs, employer contact logs
7. Apprenticeship Pathways 7 Application walkthroughs, higher/degree apprenticeship comparisons, interview prep
8. Career Guidance 8 Review notes, parent involvement, Q&A sessions, optional 1:1 calls for Signature students
← Swipe to scroll on mobile →

Your 24/7 Support

Monthly Teacher Strategy Calls

Priority Support Channel

Ongoing Resource Updates

Parent Communications Pack

Careers leads can copy and send directly to parents to ensure consistent, Ofsted/Gatsby-compliant communication.

Subject: New Apprenticeship Support for Our Sixth Form Students

Dear Parent/Carer,

We are delighted to share that [School Name] has partnered with Vanguards Academy, the UK’s leading apprenticeship preparation programme for ambitious 16–19 year olds.

This partnership gives your child access to expert resources, live coaching, and proven strategies to help them secure elite degree apprenticeships at top firms such as PwC, KPMG, Rolls-Royce, the BBC, and J.P. Morgan – while earning a salary and a fully-funded degree.

What this means for your child:

  • Full access to the Elite Apprenticeship Academy (12 modules, 68 lessons)
  • CV, cover letter, interview, and assessment centre training
  • Live group coaching with current Big 4 apprentices
  • 24/7 support via the Vanguards AI assistant for instant career guidance
  • Progress tracked and supported by our school careers team

All safeguarding is in line with KCSIE (2024), Prevent Duty, and the school’s safeguarding framework.

You can read the Parent FAQs and Information Sheet here: Parent Pack

We encourage you to review these resources with your child and discuss how they can make the most of this opportunity.

Kind regards,

[Careers Lead Name]

[School Name]

For Parent Letters

Dear Parent/Carer,

We are pleased to inform you that [School Name] has partnered with Vanguards Academy, a leading apprenticeship preparation programme for sixth form students.

Through this partnership, your child will receive structured training, live coaching, and tailored tools to help them secure highly competitive degree apprenticeships with top UK employers.

The programme is fully safeguarding-compliant and complements our existing careers provision, ensuring your child has the very best preparation available.

If you have any questions, please refer to the enclosed Parent Info Sheet or contact our school careers team directly.

Kind regards,

[Careers Lead]

Teacher FAQ’s

Do I need to know about apprenticeships?

NO. The video modules teach everything. You’re simply providing motivation and encouragement.

ZERO. The platform tracks completion, engagement, and submissions automatically. We pride ourselves in a 100% done-for-you apprenticeship service.

We are fully aligned with KCSIE (2024), Prevent Duty, Working Together (2023), Ofsted EIF, and the Provider Access Legislation for sixth forms.

Schools receive a ready-to-send Parent Pack that includes:

Provided by Vanguards Academy Ltd \ Company No. 16455472