
Careers Team & Programme
Our school has a critical role to play in preparing our young people for the next stage of their education or training and beyond.
Our expectations are high, so every pupil is challenged appropriately and acquires the skills, knowledge and attitude for lifelong learning and that employer’s value.
Introduction to our Careers Programme
Our school has a critical role to play in preparing our young people for the next stage of their education or training and beyond. Our expectations are high, so every student is challenged appropriately and acquires the skills, knowledge and attitude that employer’s value.
We recognise that an effective careers programme contributes to raising aspirations, improving motivation and overcoming barriers to success. Our careers programme is designed to help every young person to realise their potential and enhance their employability. They will learn the skills necessary to navigate and manage their own careers and contribute to the well-being of themselves, their families and the wider community. Pupils will have raised aspirations, have gained experience of meeting employers and workplace environments, be more adaptable and resilient and therefore be able to make more well-informed decisions about their transition pathways.
Our Careers Team can be contacted by calling the school on 01793 332400 or via email:-
Ben Vickery - Careers Lead - bvickery@crowdyshill.swindon.sch.uk
Lisa Baptiste - Head of Sixth Form - lbaptiste@crwdyshill.swindon.sch.uk
Mick Poole - Chair of Governors - chair@crowdyshill.swindon.sch.uk
Jo Brierley - Assistant Head - jbrierley@crowdyshil.swindon.sch.uk
Careers Education
Work Experience Programme
Career Related Activities
Our school has a critical role to play in preparing our young people for the next stage of their education or training and beyond. Our expectations are high, so every pupil is challenged appropriately and acquires the skills, knowledge and attitude that employer’s value.
We recognise that an effective careers programme contributes to raising aspirations, improving motivation and overcoming barriers to success. Our careers programme is designed to help every young person to realise their potential and enhance their employability. They will learn the skills necessary to navigate and manage their own careers and contribute to the well-being of themselves, their families and the wider community. Pupils will have raised aspirations, have gained experience of meeting employers and workplace environments, be more adaptable and resilient and therefore be able to make more well-informed decisions about their transition pathways.
Primary
Elements of Careers education is imbedded into all Primary teaching. Pupils have an introduction to the work of work through introductions of key factors including:
• Self-awareness
• How a school works
• Helping around the home
• Modern jobs and jobs in the past
• Being safe in school and in a workplace
• Decisions
• Work clothes and uniforms
• Money
Secondary
Pupils have a timetabled weekly Careers lesson where they focus is on developing their own individual employability skills and how they can transfer these to work towards their chosen pathway. The curriculum focuses on developing our pupils’ independence with a focus on employment. Pupils are taught that Careers is not just about employment but a lifelong pathway. Through our extensive curriculum, they will learn the skills needed to navigate this journey.
Pupils are given the opportunities to attend careers talks, fairs, college open days and taster days with employers. We help make pupils ‘work-fit’ by assisting with CV and cover letter writing, interview skills and job search techniques.
Pupils in Year 11 are offered the opportunity to carry out work experience. This is based within the school and we also arrange workplace visits and host guest speakers.
Sixth Form
Our World of Work curriculum in Sixth Form focusing on employability. Pupils are encouraged to assess personal strengths with a focus on transferable skills. They are encouraged to investigate local job opportunities, different jobs and careers and what they mean in terms of lifestyle, budgeting and a good work/life balance and develop economic awareness.
Pupils are given the opportunities to attend careers talks, fairs, college open days and taster days with employers. We help make pupils ‘work-fit’ by assisting with CV and cover letter writing, interview skills and job search techniques.
Sixth Form pupils are offered tailored work placements, either within the school or with local businesses, where the pupil attends the placement for half or one whole day a week for a period of 6-8 weeks. For pupils who require additional support, we arrange accompanied workplace visits.text to edit it.
Information for Parents/Carers
Parent/carer involvement and support is essential for successful careers education, positive outcomes and transitions. Parent/carers are kept informed about Careers event through direct communication, email and text, and discussions with tutors or the Careers Lead.
Events may include work experience placements, Career 1:1 interviews, Careers events, information evenings and the annual review (EHCP) process.
We also encourage feedback from parents and carers regarding our Careers programme.
Information for Employers
The majority of our pupils aspire to achieve paid (or voluntary) employment when they finish education. Some are also interested in gaining (inclusive) Apprentices and/or Traineeships.
Crowdys Hill school welcomes partnerships with local employers for career and work-related opportunities including work experience, workplace visits, mentoring, Careers Fairs and Careers talks.
If you feel you might be able to support or provide any of these careers related activities, including work experience, please contact: Ben Vickery, Careers Lead - email bvickery@crowdyshill.swindon.sch.uk.
The Gatsby Benchmarks
Our careers programme is underpinned by the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks.
These benchmarks are a framework of 8 guidelines that schools work towards to provide the best career provision for its students as possible:
Benchmark 1: |
A stable careers programme |
---|---|
Benchmark 2: |
Learning from career and Labour Market Information |
Benchmark 3: |
Addressing the needs of each student |
Benchmark 4: |
Linking the curriculum learning to careers |
Benchmark 5: |
Encounters with employers and employees |
Benchmark 6: |
Experiences of the workplace |
Benchmark 7: |
Encounters with further and higher education |
Benchmark 8: |
Personal guidance |
We regularly review our careers programme through the Compass evaluation tool against the Benchmarks and this data is then used to feed into our career’s development plan and drive future improvements.
Useful Links:
Further Education Providers:
Policy

If you have any questions about the above, please don't hesitate to contact us.