Careers & Progression

Careers education at Newman is closely connected to our wider commitment to Preparation for Adulthood.

We recognise that successful adulthood will look different for every young person. For some pupils, future pathways may include further education, training, supported internships or employment. For others, preparation for the future may place greater emphasis on independence, communication, community participation and developing meaningful life skills.

Our aim is to combine aspiration with individualised support, helping every pupil work towards a positive and appropriate destination.

This complements the three curriculum drivers that underpin learning at Newman:

Communication

Developing the confidence and skills to communicate choices, interests, aspirations and needs.

Independence

Building practical skills, decision-making and confidence to participate as independently as possible in adult life.

Resilience

Developing the confidence to experience new situations, respond to challenges and adapt to change.

Meaningful Careers Experiences
Learning beyond the classroom

We believe pupils benefit from opportunities to experience and understand the world beyond school.

Our careers provision aims to provide meaningful encounters and experiences which may include:

• meeting employers and employees;
• experiencing different workplaces;
• careers fairs and events;
• visits to colleges and education providers;
• work-related and enterprise activities;
• work experience where appropriate;
• developing CV and application skills;
• practising interview skills;
• accessing careers and labour-market information;
• developing independent travel and life skills; and
• receiving personalised careers advice and guidance.

The opportunities provided will reflect pupils’ individual ages, needs and pathways.

The Gatsby Benchmarks

Our approach to careers education is informed by the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Careers Guidance.

These provide a framework for high-quality careers provision covering:

• A stable careers programme
• Learning from careers and labour-market information
• Addressing the needs of each pupil
• Linking curriculum learning to careers
• Encounters with employers and employees
• Experiences of workplaces
• Encounters with further and higher education
• Personal guidance

Key Stage 2

Introducing the world of work

At Key Stage 2, pupils begin to explore the idea of careers and the world of work in accessible and age-appropriate ways.

Learning helps pupils recognise different jobs and roles, begin to identify their own interests and skills and understand that the learning they undertake in school can connect to life beyond the classroom.

Activities within Newman’s historic careers programme include curriculum-based careers learning and opportunities to encounter people from different occupations and employment sectors.

Key Stage 3

Exploring skills and opportunities

As pupils progress into Key Stage 3, careers education develops their understanding of different occupations, workplaces and future pathways.

Pupils are encouraged to recognise their own interests, strengths and developing skills while beginning to explore the opportunities that could be available to them.

Learning may include encounters with employers, careers activities, information about the labour market and opportunities to understand how curriculum subjects connect with different occupations and industries.

Key Stage 4

Experiencing and preparing

At Key Stage 4, the emphasis increasingly moves towards practical experience and preparation for pupils’ next steps.

Depending upon individual needs and aspirations, pupils may participate in workplace experiences, meet employers, explore further education and training opportunities and develop practical employability skills.

Newman’s previous careers programme included activities such as work experience, mock interviews, CV preparation, application forms, careers fairs, college visits and encounters with employers.

These experiences help pupils develop a clearer understanding of their options and begin preparing for transition beyond compulsory education.

Key Stage 5

Moving towards the future

Careers and transition planning become increasingly personalised as pupils approach the end of their time at Newman.

Pupils are supported to explore appropriate future destinations and develop the skills and experiences they need for their next stage.

This can include further education and college opportunities, employment-related experiences, developing independent travel and other Preparation for Adulthood skills, alongside personalised support with transition.

Our pupils have different interests, strengths, support needs and aspirations. Careers education and guidance must therefore be responsive to the individual young person.

Pupils are supported to understand the opportunities available to them and consider what their own future might look like.

Where appropriate, this includes working with families, education and training providers, employers and other professionals to support informed decision-making and successful transition.

Independent and impartial careers guidance forms an important part of this process for pupils as they progress through their secondary education. The former Trust careers framework also establishes that pupils with an EHCP should receive appropriate careers support and personalised transition planning.

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting young people as they consider their future.

We aim to involve families throughout careers and transition planning, helping them understand the different opportunities and pathways available to their child.

This may include careers discussions through annual and pupil-centred reviews, individual meetings, careers events and access to information about colleges, training providers and other future destinations.