Careers

As students prepare for life beyond school, it is important that they, and their families, are aware of the support and opportunities available to them. The Local Offer provides information about education, training, employment, and community services for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged 16 and over.

Please click the link below to explore the Post-16 SEND Local Offer and find out more about the support available in your area.

https://oxfordshire.yourfutures.uk/

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of eight guidelines that define what good careers education looks like in schools and colleges. They help ensure that all young people receive high-quality careers guidance, gain meaningful encounters with employers and workplaces, and are supported to make informed decisions about their future education, training, and employment pathways.

1. A stable careers programme Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers, and employers.
2. Learning from labour market information Every pupil, and their parents, should have access to good-quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed adviser to make best use of available information.
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil Pupils have different career guidance needs at various stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each pupil. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. For example, STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.
5. Encounters with employers and employees Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.
6. Experiences of workplaces Every pupil should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks.
7. Encounters with further and higher education All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.
8. Personal guidance Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career’s adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs.

Labour Market Information (LMI) helps you explore careers and understand the world of work. This interactive tool provides up-to-date information about different jobs, including typical salaries, required qualifications, skills, and future employment opportunities. Use it to research career options, discover growing industries, and make informed decisions about your education, training, and future career pathway.

Parents and carers play an important role in helping young people explore future career pathways and make informed decisions about education, training and employment.

Our school is committed to supporting families with access to impartial careers information, advice and guidance to help students understand the opportunities available to them.

How Parents and Carers Can Support Career Development

You can support your child by:

• Encouraging conversations about interests, strengths and future aspirations.
• Exploring different career pathways together, including sixth form, college, apprenticeships, university and employment.
• Attending school careers events, information evenings and employer engagement opportunities.
• Helping your child research qualifications and understand how subjects link to future careers.
• Encouraging the development of employability skills such as communication, teamwork, resilience and problem-solving.

Useful Careers Information Websites

National Careers Service
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Provides impartial careers advice, skills assessments, job profiles and information on education and training options.

Amazing Apprenticeships
https://amazingapprenticeships.com
Offers guidance on apprenticeships, application advice and resources for families.

UCAS
https://www.ucas.com
Information on university applications, apprenticeships, career ideas and post-16/post-18 pathways.

Careerpilot
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk
A free careers information website helping young people and parents explore choices after school.

Prospects
https://www.prospects.ac.uk
Graduate career information, qualifications guidance and labour market insights.

Skills for Careers – GOV.UK
https://skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk
Government information about training, skills and employment opportunities.

BBC Bitesize

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/careers

Quizzes and videos to explore curiosity of the world of work and future careers.

Talking About Careers at Home

You do not need to have all the answers to support your child. Simple conversations can make a big difference.