Our Careers Education Approach
At Islip Manor High School, we are committed to providing a high-quality careers education programme that supports all pupils to make informed choices about their future learning, training and employment.
Our CEIAG provision aims to:
- Raise aspirations and broaden horizons
- Enable pupils to understand the full range of post-16 and post-18 pathways
- Develop employability skills and positive attitudes to learning and work
- Support equality of opportunity and social mobility
Our careers programme is student-centred, inclusive and ambitious, ensuring that all pupils — regardless of background — are supported to progress successfully into further education, training, apprenticeships or employment.
The programme is delivered in line with:
- The Department for Education Careers Statutory Guidance
- The Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance
- The Baker Clause (provider access legislation)
Careers Programme Structure
Careers education at Islip Manor High School is delivered through a planned, progressive curriculum from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, supported by employer engagement, encounters with further and higher education providers, and access to impartial careers guidance.
Provision includes:
- Discrete careers lessons
- Embedded careers learning across subject areas
- Employer encounters and workplace experiences
- Individual guidance interviews
- Assemblies, workshops and careers events
- Access to UNIFROG for further guidance on careers and personal development.
Careers Curriculum by Key Stage
Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9): Careers Awareness and Exploration
In Key Stage 3, pupils are introduced to the world of work and begin to explore how learning links to future careers.
Pupils will:
- Learn about different job sectors and roles
- Understand how subjects studied in school link to careers
- Begin to identify personal strengths, interests and skills
- Develop employability skills such as teamwork, communication and resilience
- Access our careers fair.
Careers learning is delivered through:
- PSHE lessons
- Subject curriculum links
- Assemblies and employer talks
- Careers research activities and our careers fair.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11): Careers Planning and Decision-Making
In Key Stage 4, the focus shifts to career pathways, post-16 choices and preparation for next steps.
Pupils will:
- Explore post-16 options including A Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships and training through both school resources and external Connexions service.
- Understand labour market information (LMI) and local employment opportunities
- Prepare for applications, interviews and workplace expectations
- Take part in employer encounters and workplace experiences
Provision includes:
- Timetabled careers education
- Employer talks and careers events
- Work experience or work-related learning
- Access to impartial careers guidance interviews
- Support with post-16 applications
Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13): Transition to Employment, Apprenticeships or Higher Education
At Key Stage 5, careers education supports pupils to make successful post-18 transitions.
Students will:
- Explore higher education, degree apprenticeships, employment and training routes
- Receive guidance on UCAS, apprenticeships and job applications
- Develop advanced employability and life skills
- Engage with universities, employers and training providers
Opportunities include:
- Careers workshops and assemblies
- Work experience programme in year 10.
- University visits and employer encounters
- Mock interviews and CV support
- Individual careers guidance interviews
- Targeted support for students at risk of becoming NEET
Personalised Careers Guidance
All pupils have access to impartial, independent careers guidance delivered by a qualified careers adviser through Connexions. Priority is given to pupils who require additional support, including:
- Disadvantaged pupils
- Pupils with SEND
- Pupils at risk of becoming NEET
Careers guidance is tailored to individual needs and reviewed regularly.
Employer and Provider Engagement
Islip Manor High School works closely with:
- Local and national employers
- Further education colleges
- Apprenticeship providers
- Universities and training organisations
This ensures pupils receive first-hand experience and up-to-date information about a wide range of opportunities.
In line with the Baker Clause, pupils have opportunities to meet approved technical education and apprenticeship providers throughout Years 8–13.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Our careers programme is:
- Reviewed annually
- Informed by pupil, parent and employer feedback
- Monitored against the Gatsby Benchmarks
- Used to inform continuous improvement
We are committed to ensuring our CEIAG provision remains high-quality, relevant and responsive to the needs of our pupils and the local labour market
Careers Leadership at Islip Manor High
The Careers team at Islip Manor High is headed by:
- Mr Haydn Beacham - Careers Lead hbeacham@islipmanorhigh.org.uk
As a school, all staff including Teachers, Tutors, Support Staff, Heads of Year, Heads of Department and the Senior Leadership Team are committed to supporting the Careers programme.
The contact person for Careers & Work Experience is:
- Mr Andy Price (Assistant Head Teacher and Head of Careers): aprice@islipmanorhigh.org.uk
You can reach him by telephone on 020 8864 8544.
Supporting our Careers Programme at Islip Manor High School:
If you or a family member or friend are a business or employer, education or training provider and could support Islip Manor High School with our Careers programme (including Work Experience placements, lunchtime careers talks, networking opportunities, etc), please do contact us as we are always looking to expand our network of employers and education providers.
Careers Guidance in schools - Statutory Frameworks:
In December 2017, the Department for Education (DfE) published a new Careers Strategy for secondary schools followed by statutory guidance in January 2018. Schools must have an appointed Careers Leader and a Careers Information, Advice & Guidance (CIAG) Programme for each academic year. By September 2020 schools should be meeting the Eight Gatsby Benchmarks (outlined below):
The Gatsby Benchmarks:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career 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
The Baker Clause:
In January 2018, the DfE also introduced ‘The Baker Clause’ as an amendment to the Technical and Further Education Act 2017. 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.
Islip Manor High - CEIAG Policy 2023
Careers Education, Information Advice, Guidance and Employability Policy 2023
This policy will be renewed in September 2025.
Quality Assurance within our Careers provision:
In order to regularly evaluate our Careers provision, we complete a compass evaluation (arranged by The Careers & Enterprise Company) once per year, which provides information about how we are performing against the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Our most recent Compass evaluation in February 2023 showed that we are making excellent progress with meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks:
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23% | 41% | 76% | 76% | 70% | 100% |
| 2 | 80% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 3 | 72% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 81% |
| 4 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 81% | 100% |
| 5 | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 100% |
| 6 | 62% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 62% | 100% |
| 7 | 37% | 75% | 70% | 41% | 75% | 70% |
| 8 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
We are confident that our Careers provision is wide ranging, inclusive and diverse. Within our Pastoral Programme, Wider learning offer, Curriculum and additional Careers provisions, we feel that we are giving students the right support, knowledge and skills to be successful in their future at Islip Manor and beyond. As always, we are open to receiving feedback & suggestions for further ways to continue to develop & refine our Careers programme.
Our school website contains regular updates about our Careers programme including events, opportunities, talks and newsletters. You can view more of our newsletters below.