Careers and Further Education

At Herne Bay High School, we take Careers Education Information and Guidance very seriously. We understand that a strong and stable careers program is the starting block for each student to be able to aspire to have achievable goals.

Our careers program starts in year 7 and continues through to year 11 and our outstanding sixth form provision. All students have fantastic opportunities and guidance so they can make the right choices to help them achieve their future careers.

To strive for an outstanding career pathway, we our continuously creating new opportunities and adding to our careers program to adapt to the labour markets.

At the end of each academic year our CEIAG team run comprehensive analysis on the impact the careers programme has had on all students. This is done by constant analysis of student pathways taken. Each academic year reports are produced on the destinations and retention of students; these reports are compared to previous years to identify any gaps in groups where further interventions could support for the future. We pride ourselves on making sure no students leave HBHS as a NEET, with all students having a destination that is right to fit their individual needs. Every student is monitored throughout year 11 through various interventions within the school. 

We believe that our successful approach to having a low number of NEETS has been through a strong monitoring and evaluation process with many teams within the school working together to make sure all students have an individual pathway and any students needing extra support can be identified quickly and interventions put in place. As a school we work extremely well with external organisations by attending regular review meetings and working with the local authority to lower NEET rates.

With a new approach from the Government to achieve a strong and stable careers program we grade our excellence on achieving the Gatsby Benchmarks.

Please click below to see how we are currently achieving each of the Gatsby Benchmarks.

Careers leader details: Mr L Hasler l.hasler@hernebayhigh.org Phone: 01227 361221

Baker Clause

Introduced as an amendment to the Technical and Further Education Act 2017 and as set out in Section 42B of the Education Act 1997, the Baker Clause stipulates that schools must allow colleges and training providers access to every student in years 8-13 to discuss non-academic routes that are available to them. It is expected that by doing so this will help address the UK’s productivity challenges and address skills shortages experienced across several sectors of the economy. 

At Herne Bay High school we ensure that our have an opportunity to speak to and hear from these different providers offering routes different from academic ones. 

For students in years 9, 10 and 11, this interaction comes through the careers fair were there are over 60 different businesses and organisations giving information and guidance. This year we had providers from Colleges offering T-levels and a huge range of apprenticeships. 

During the year we also have guest speakers from a range of different background talking to the students about different pathways. Students in year 9,10 and 11 also get this advice and support again in PSHE which allows them to explore the options in more detail. 

We have a very close working relationship with local businesses offering apprenticeships and we also work very closely with local college providers Canterbury College, Broadstairs College, Hadlow College and UCA who are regular attendees in the school. 

For lower school we also understand the importance of understanding the different options and routes, they secure this information through our interactive careers fair that happens in the summer term and through PSHE which happens throughout the year.

Measuring success of our CEIAG program 

We are always striving the improve and move our careers program forward, we use as much data as we can and feedback to improve our CEIAG program. Every year we use the careers fair to talk to students to produce feedback on our schools CEIAG program. We use all data that we receive from the local authority and education people on our NEET figures to make sure they are as low as possible. Every career related activity is always reviewed in the school to make sure it is having the right impact. In the summer term 2022 we will be introducing our first CEIAG driven feedback form to parents and students to move our program forward again for the academic year 22/23.

Benchmark 1 - A Stable Careers Program

‘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’

How We Achieve This Benchmark

Within the school we have dedicated staff that are responsible for the delivery and development of CEIAG. We have a member of staff that is designated to the coordination of CEIAG the careers coordinator is supported and backed on a senior leadership level working as the LIP and reports directly with Mr Boyles. This set up implements and supports CEIAG at each level within the school.

The school’s program is currently explained and clearly set out on the school’s website, this allows access to parents and students.

Each year a school CEIAG plan is written that clearly sets out how CEIAG will be implemented and addressed across the different Gatsby Benchmarks.

There is a clear pathway for students from year 7 to year 13 that have extensive and a wide range of CEIAG activities.

Within HBHS there is now a clear and stable embedded program that has a stable framework to be developed on to be a pioneer for schools in CEIAG.

Every year the progress against the Gatsby Benchmarks is reviewed and assessed by using Compass, a tool provided by the education people.

Sixth Form

All students are fully supported and guided through a process of planning their future from the beginning of Year12.  Information is delivered through PSHEE, Trips, Assemblies, mentor time, individual departments and through newsletters. 

All students should develop a greater understanding of their abilities and the opportunities available to them.  Undertake Work Experience with an understanding of employer expectations, along with local Labour Market Information.  Students should learn how to make decisions about their future,  

We encourage students from the outset of 6th Form to take responsibility for their onward destination, whether this is applying for University Summer Schools or Access programmes offered by universities or seeking a work experience placement in a particular sector. 

In term 3 of Year 12 – we hold a Life after 6th Form Talk where an independent careers adviser speaks to parents/carers and students regarding all Post 16 routes.  We are a partner school of the University of Kent and they also join us for this talk and focus on the university pathway options and student finance. 

This talk is followed by our Post 16 Pathways Conference, where students’ experience speakers from industry, Amazing Apprenticeships, PUSH talks and take part in workshops such as CV writing, employability skills, FE in HE, what can I do with my degree, specialist ARTs and Dance routes. 

In Term 4/5 of Year 12 students can attend, the Apprenticeship Fair, Be an HE student for a day, attend the Ucas HE Exhibition along with many other virtual opportunities that are shared 

In term 6 of Year 12 students decide to join a university or non-university pathway and we split out PSHEE classes accordingly and cater to individual routes.  Students may however change routes at any time.   

In Year 13, the non-university pathway, we have speakers from CXK Ltd, The Education people, Amazing Apprenticeships, the DWP, we undertake Mock Interviews as well as have Industry Guest speakers. 

In Year 13, the university pathway focuses on research and applying to university using appropriate websites such as Ucas, Unifrog, Oscar, Leo Data as well as teacher support and alumni to support.  All students applying to university have a one-to-one meeting with the 6th Form Leaders to discuss their choices and destinations before submission to Ucas. 

Students receive weekly newsletters throughout 6th Form which informs them of a wealth of opportunities ranging from physical to virtual.  Approximately 60% of our students move on to Higher Education and the remaining move on to Apprenticeships/Employments and Gap years.  

All Post 16 Learners have access to an independent careers guide throughout 6th Form.   

Benchmark 2 - Learning from Career and Labour Market

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’

How We Achieve This Benchmark

Key stage 3 students learn about career aspirations through our PSHEE program. The PSHEE program enables students to start to think about career choices and pathways and conduct research into considered career professions and what they would need to get there.

All students within the school have access to a free program called START, this program is a live database that enables students to complete a profile on themselves. Once they have completed a profile it links them to jobs that would be of interest to them, it then importantly links them to the live labour market and shows them opportunities locally and education pathways to achieve that potential job. This software links to career pathways as well as local apprenticeships. New for the academic year starting 2022/23 we have a new piece of software which will be imbedded into all practice within the school is Unifrog. This careers specific software will support students, teachers and parents give information and in bed careers further into our school ethos.

Within year 9, 10 and 11 all students have access to a 1/1 meeting from the school careers advisor (EBP) who give the students the support and assistance they need.

As a school we fully engage with the parents with talks aimed at parents of children in years 9, 10 and 11 that give important information around options, careers guidance and further education support. These talks are normally linked into open days and parents’ evenings.

Sixth Form

Students use Unifrog and the National Careers Service website to learn about industry sector requirements and salary information, along with Local Labour Market Information.

Benchmark 3 - Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil

‘Pupils have different career guidance needs at different 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.’

How We Achieve This Benchmark

As a school we take the needs of each student very seriously. At each major crossroads within a child’s education, we make sure they have the correct advice and guidance to make the correct decisions. We understand the need for this to come from a range of individuals including mentors, college managers, teachers, careers advisors and senior leadership team. All students are taught at Herne Bay High School to be aspirational and to strive for excellence and this is the same for CEIAG.

In 2022/23 through Unifrog we will be moving to a new system that allows us to track every student’s interaction in CEIAG and support them after they finish school. This tracking process will support students, staff and parents in making sure that each child is getting the support they deserve.

Within CEIAG teaching within the school this benchmark is maintained through well planned and delivered PSHEE lessons where students get an opportunity to be independent and to express their own preferences. This is also met with strong support by mentors who closely work with each of their mentees to support with their education pathway and to highlight any concerns or problems students have in regards to CEIAG.

In Key Stage 4 students have the opportunity to meet with a careers advisor who listens to their individual needs to support them make decisions that are specific to them and give them clear goals.

Sixth Form

Students look at earning by qualification. This focuses the importance of qualifications and links to career sector research.

Benchmark 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’

How We Achieve This Benchmark

This can be potentially one of the most challenging benchmarks as it needs an entire school approach and needs all heads of departments and department teachers to buy into the approach. At HBHS we see that linking CEIAG and the curriculum is more than just the STEM subjects, all subjects should engage with CEIAG and make it relevant within their subject areas.

There has been extensive research to what makes students want to achieve in school and what can be imbedded to drive this aspiration and recent studies have shown that if students at a young age have a clear educational pathway that they can see where it starts and where it will end up, they are more willing and ready to achieve. An example of this can be if a student wants to be a doctor and has been shown at Key Stage 3 the importance of science and other core subjects, it will create aspirations and work ethic to achieve in those subjects.

Currently to achieve this benchmark we have started the early foundations in trying to embed CEIAG into the curriculum. Over the past 2 years we have been asking HOD’s to highlight CEIAG links within the curriculum and to highlight this on their curriculum maps. We have asked that within lessons, when possible, teachers use learning objectives that may link to career paths of certain careers. Every department in the school is required to have a dedicated board to careers where information can be showcased around careers possibilities and opportunities in that specific area. To create aspirations, we have asked that in each subject base throughout the year there is opportunities for students to have interactions from external guest speakers linked with jobs available from that subject area. HOD’s and teachers have been given links through our annual careers fair and through the outreach program or their own personal links.

This benchmark will be supported further through the introduction of Unifrog. This will give staff fantastic resources for every subject area to deliver CEIAG in their lessons.

Sixth Form

The DWP deliver employability and transferable skills and demonstrate how these are developed with the curriculum across subjects.
All subjects make use of industry standard information to link to Post 16 subjects.

Benchmark 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.’

How We Achieve This Benchmark

This benchmark heavily overlaps with benchmark 4 as to support with linking CEIAG into the curriculum then industry experts have to be invited into lessons and school to give students guidance advice and to give them aspirations.

It is suggested in Gatsby Benchmarks that ‘Every year, from the age of 11, pupils should participate in at least one meaningful encounter* with an employer.’

There are many ways already that our students have encounters with employers and employees. As discussed and highlighted in Benchmark 4 all departments are recommended to arrange guest speakers and trips for every year group, majority of departments do this and the majority of students have at least 1 meaningful experience with and employer or a workplace.

In years 7,8 students can access the virtual careers fair which is available in the summer term and gives these students an opportunity to listen to and ask questions from specific organisations and career pathways. This was run last academic year during covid and was a massive success.

In years 9, 10 and 11 all students have access to our annual careers fair. This year we had our biggest careers fair to date with over 60 local and national businesses available to students. Each student was able to gain valuable advice and support and even gain opportunities for future jobs and apprenticeships.

Sixth Form

Students have access to the HBHS Careers Fair and Unifrog resources.
We have guest speakers in PSHEE eg Police, Psychologists, Film Directors, Academics to name a few.

Benchmark 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.’

How We Achieve This Benchmark

Last year was our first group going through work experience which was an optional activity. However, in the academic year 22/23 and moving forwards all students will experience work experience. Our plan for 22/23 and moving forward is that all year 10 students will get a work experience placement working with EBP, this will be in the summer term and placements will be found for students on an area that interests them. This is the same for year 12 where all students will be undertaking a week long placement.

Sixth Form

Students may undertake Work Experience at any time but our main week is the 4-8 July and all Year 12 students undertake this.

Benchmark 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.’

How We Achieve This Benchmark

To achieve this benchmark we offer a range of support and experiences to different year groups. In the lower school at Key Stage 3 level students gain their understanding of the academic and vocational pathways through PSHEE. In these lessons they are explained the different options and pathways available to them and they spend some time on the START and Unifrog software looking at these options.

When student arrive in year 9 and 10, they are given a range of assemblies on the different pathways available and what options and decisions they need to be thinking about. In year 11 all local education providers are invited into the school and speak to all year 11 students about the opportunities at different educational providers. This then gives them an opportunity to make informed decision about what path they will to take for Post 16 education.

For year 9, 10 and 11 we also invite the local education providers to the careers fair so students can speak directly to Post 16 providers to look at what options may be available to them.

To make sure that we are giving our students experiences of higher education we have a direct link with KMPF (Kent and Medway Progression Federation) who make available access to higher education for pupils of all ages in our local area. The higher education partnerships we work with are Canterbury Christchurch University, Kent University, Hadlow College and The University of Creative Arts. KMPF work with these higher educational providers to offer a range of activities at schools and at the universities to support students in their studies and school and to support their knowledge in higher education to create aspirations. 

Sixth Form

Students have the opportunity to attend the following: Life after 6th Form Talk, Post 16 Pathways Conference, Apprenticeship Fair, Be a university student for a day, Ucas HE Exhibition.
The Post 16 Conference has workshops involving, Further Education, Apprenticeship Guidance, Art College Guidance, Dance at HE as well as others.

Benchmark 8 - Personal Guidance

‘Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers 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.’

How We Achieve This Benchmark

For the past 6 years we have been linked to East Kent Business Partnership (EBP) who deliver all our independent guidance. It is recommended by Gatsby that ‘Every pupil should have at least one such interview by the age of 16, and the opportunity for a further interview by the age of 18’ We stick to this guideline and try to exceed it when possible.

Within the school students can get advice and guidance from all members of staff and can get more personal advice from their mentors. If any student wants a careers appointment it can be made through the school website or can be requested through their mentor. We have a career advisor in school once a week. We also work very closely with the college managers to identify any students who may need a career appointment as they are in danger of becoming NEET.

Our career advisor works closely with any students with EHCP plans to make sure that they have the support they need to make the right decisions on their career pathway.

Sixth Form

Students are provided with lessons on Post 18 Options and pathways, looking at different types of universities and what are your priorities. Understanding different degree types and ucas tariff. The importance of attending open days and careers routes.

CEIAG Programme Plan 2022-23
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