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Careers Programme 2024-2025

Our Aims:

Personal guidance and individual student tracking

Our Personal Development Programme uses software from Unifrog. Starting in Year 7 and lasting until Year 11, pupils are guided through careers choices and have personal experiences at attending job fairs. They are exposed to possible outcomes to their career choices.

As pupils progress through Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), they are guided on how to search for career interests, learn to write letters of application and develop their CVs. In Key Stage 4, Years 10 and 11, pupils are exposed to the skills of analysis needed to explore their career choices and the qualifications associated with particular careers.

The Gatsby Benchmark

In 2018, the Department for Education issued Statutory careers Guidance which included meeting the Gatsby benchmarks. These benchmarks set out what all students should receive in terms of helping them with their career pathways after school. The benchmarks are:

  1. A stable Careers programme
  2. Learning from career and labour market information
  3. Addressing the needs of each student
  4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
  5. Encounters with employers and employees
  6. Experience of workplaces
  7. Encounters with further and higher education
  8. Personal Guidance

At Royal Alexandra and Albert, we have a strong record of meeting all 8 benchmarks but we are always looking for partners to help us enhance this lifechanging aspect of the curriculum.

We would like to hear from parents, employers, Higher Education or Further Education Colleges or any other potential partners who would be interested in supporting us. Please email Alistair Tickett, Head of Careers at alistairtickett@gatton-park.org.uk.

Year Group Programme

Year 7

Autumn Term

Introduction to Careers at RAAS assembly delivered by Mr Tickett (Head of Careers), students will be introduced to the careers provision at RAAS and the key skills that underpin our careers programme

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Spring Term 

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Personal Development Programme Lessons – a series of 6 bespoke 50-minute lessons where students will be introduced to Unifrog. Unifrog supports students through every step of their careers journey, from exploring their interests, to recording their skills, to finding and comparing apprenticeship and university courses, to submitting applications. In year 7, students will create a personal account, record their interests and begin exploring potential careers based on their personal preferences.

Apprenticeship Week Activities – students will be introduced to apprenticeships and hear from apprentices through tutor time activities during this week.

Careers Week Curriculum Activities – Students will be introduced to potential future careers in all of the subjects they study during National Careers Week.

Careers Week Assembly – Assembly on the Careers Week theme.

Summer Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Careers Fair – The school hosts a careers fair in the summer term with a range of employers attending.  This gives students to chance to interact with representatives from a range of sectors, ask questions and gain information relating to their areas of interest.

Year 8

Autumn Term

Careers at RAAS assembly – delivered by Mr Tickett (Head of Careers), students will be reminded of the careers provision at RAAS and the key skills that underpin our careers programme.

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Spring Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Personal Development Programme Lessons – a series of 6 bespoke 50-minute lessons where students will continue their work on Unifrog. Students will begin to log activities and competencies that evidence the skills they are learning that are preparing them for the world of work.

Apprenticeship Week Activities – students will learn more about apprenticeships and hear from more apprentices through tutor time activities during this week.

Careers Week Curriculum Activities – Students will be introduced to potential future careers in all of the subjects they study during National Careers Week.

Careers Week Assembly – Assembly on the Careers Week theme.

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Summer Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Careers Fair – The school hosts a careers fair in the summer term with a range of employers attending.  This gives students to chance to interact with representatives from a range of sectors, ask questions and gain information relating to their areas of interest.

Year 9

Autumn Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Options Parents Evening – A night where pupils and parents/guardians can discuss the career paths by looking at the options in depth with our option subject teachers.

Careers at RAAS assembly – delivered by Mr Tickett (Head of Careers),  students will be reminded of the careers provision at RAAS and the key skills that underpin our careers programme.

Optional Careers Advice Appointment for Students – Mrs Legg (Request only) – Students can arrange an appointment for personalised careers guidance and support with options choices. Mrs Legg will also be available at the Options Parents’ Evening.

Options Workshops – All of year 9 are off timetable to engage in a presentation by each option subject lead, followed by a question and answer session. This is over multiple sessions.

Options Booklets – with extensive explanations of each Option and helpful websites to answer most queries are shared with students.

Spring Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Optional Careers Advice Appointment for Students – Mrs Legg (Request only) – Students can arrange an appointment for personalised careers guidance and support with options choices. Mrs Legg will also be available at the Options Parents’ Evening.

Personal Development Programme Lessons – a series of 6 bespoke 50-minute lessons where students will continue their work on Unifrog, this time focusing on careers related to the subjects they have chosen for their options.

Apprenticeship Week Activities – students will learn more about apprenticeships and hear from more apprentices through tutor time activities during this week.

Careers Week Curriculum Activities – Students will be introduced to potential future careers in all of the subjects they study during National Careers Week.

Careers Week Assembly – Assembly on the Careers Week theme.

Summer Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – fortnightly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Careers Fair – The school hosts a careers fair in the summer term with a range of employers attending.  This gives students to chance to interact with representatives from a range of sectors, ask questions and gain information relating to their areas of interest.

Year 10

Autumn Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – weekly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Careers at RAAS assembly – delivered by Mr Tickett (Head of Careers), students will be reminded of the careers provision at RAAS and the key skills that underpin our careers programme. Work experience is introduced at this point.

Spring Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – weekly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Apprenticeship Week Activities – students will learn more about apprenticeships and hear from more apprentices through tutor time activities during this week.

Apprenticeships Assembly delivered by external agency Amazing Apprenticeships as part of their ASK programme

Vocational Pathway Assembly delivered by East Surrey College.

Careers Week Curriculum Activities – Students will be introduced to potential future careers in all of the subjects they study during National Careers Week.

Careers Week Assembly – Assembly on the Careers Week theme.

Careers Advice Appointment for Students – Mrs Legg – All students will have an appointment for personalised careers guidance and support with Post-16 choices.

Summer Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – weekly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Work Experience – All year 10 students will complete a one-week work placement in the week after May half team.

T-Level and Vocational Course Taster Sessions – interested students will have the opportunity to attend taster sessions at East Surrey College

Careers Advice Appointment for Students – Mrs Legg – All students will have an appointment for personalised careers guidance and support with Post-16 choices.

Future Skills Questionnaire – student will complete a future skills questionnaire to help us shape and evaluate their career programme and make sure they are supported to make informed choices about their next steps after school.

Careers Fair – The school hosts a careers fair in the summer term with a range of employers attending.  This gives students to chance to interact with representatives from a range of sectors, ask questions and gain information relating to their areas of interest.

Year 11

Autumn Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – weekly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Careers at RAAS assembly – delivered by Mr Tickett (Head of Careers),  students will be reminded of the careers provision at RAAS and the key skills that underpin our careers programme. Planning for post-16 is introduced here.

Prefects in PD lessons – students will have a presentation from current prefects in their Personal Development lessons about Sixth Form Life, choices, expectations and opportunities.

Sixth Form Opening Evening – featuring a talk from the Headteacher, the Director of 6th Form and Lead prefects, as well as an opportunity to meet subject staff and discuss courses. Independent careers advice from our Careers Advisor, Heidi Legg, will be available.

Sixth Form Interviews – all year 11 students are interviewed by a member of the 6th Form Team to discuss Post-16 pathways

Follow Up Careers Advice Appointments for Students – Mrs Legg – All students will have the opportunity to make a further appointment for personalised careers guidance and support with Post-16 choices.

Spring Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – weekly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Apprenticeship Week Activities – students will learn more about apprenticeships and hear from more apprentices through tutor time activities during this week.

Apprenticeship workshops –  to support students to register and apply will be held at school

Careers Week Curriculum Activities – students will be introduced to potential future careers in all of the subjects they study during National Careers Week.

Careers Week Assembly – Assembly on the Careers Week theme

Follow Up Careers Advice Appointments for Students – Mrs Legg – All students will have the opportunity to make a further appointment for personalised careers guidance and support with Post-16 choices.

Summer Term

Tutor Time Careers Activities – weekly, bite-size tutor time lessons focusing on the skills required for work, based largely on Unifrog resources. These lessons will also introduce students to different jobs in a wide range of industries.

Follow Up Careers Advice Appointments for Students – Mrs Legg – All students will have the opportunity to make a further appointment for personalised careers guidance and support with Post-16 choices.

Sixth Form

In Years 12 and 13, students follow a comprehensive programme of study that provides information and activities on the following topics:

  • Introduction to A Level Study
  • Preparation for Post 18 Study
  • Alternatives to Study
  • Your Professional Future
  • Work Experience
  • Your Financial Future
  • Your Wellbeing
  • Your Post Graduate Options
  • PSHE, RSE
  • Assessing your Learning – Reflections of Progress

The Lecture Programme 

Sixth Form students attend a lecture every week. The Lecture Programme covers a wide range of topics, to prepare pupils for life after Sixth Form. The Programme includes:

  • Lecture for Year 12s from an apprenticeship advisor
  • Seminar led by an apprenticeship advisor for Year 12 and Year 13 pupils who are interested in this route
  • Lecture about Unifrog
  • A range of lectures from different universities on admissions, student finance, and university life
  • Lecture about how to apply to UCAS and how to apply for the world of work
  • Lecture about the professional workplace, includes information about taxes, money management, and the cost of further education options
  • Lecture from the Head of Year about making informed choices
  • Lectures from outside speakers about the world of work. These have included speakers from Nestle and the government apprenticeship scheme
  • Lectures on being a post-graduate student

Pupils also receive the following support:

  • Regular 1-2-1 meetings with tutors to discuss progress and future plans
  • Access to Unifrog to support informed choices across universities and apprenticeships
  • Students are encouraged to deliver presentations about apprenticeships and the apprenticeship process during their tutor time in the first term
  • 1-2-1 support with UCAS applications. This involves individual meetings with a member of the Sixth Form team to discuss applications.
  • A bespoke Oxbridge and Medical application programme is in place that offers support on entrance exams, interview preparation, wider issues discussion, and support with personal statements.

In addition, all Year 12 students participate in a 4-day work placement during Explore Week in July.

Additional Information

Advice for Parents

The world of work and education is constantly moving and often, it can be a challenge for parents to keep up with it and know how to support their child’s next steps.  These resources might be of use in understanding the current geography of this sphere.

Post-16 Pathways

What are your options at the end of Year 11?

All students must stay in education until they are 18. There are three main options at the end of Year 11 to enable this to happen. Students can:

  • Remain in full time education – Sixth Form or College
  • Apply for apprenticeships and traineeships
  • Take on part-time training with a job, self-employment or voluntary work

Full time Education

If you decide to remain in full time education you can study at a Sixth Form, College, University Technical College or a Training provider.

There are many academic or job-related courses to suit ALL ability levels, such as A Levels, T Levels, NVQS, and BTEC (soon to stop running).

Apprenticeships 

An apprenticeship is a skilled job with training. Every apprentice is guaranteed a minimum wage linked to their age. They are available at all academic levels – whether you are leaving school without GCSEs or completing your A Levels. There are apprenticeships in industries like engineering, health and accountancy – plus a host of careers you would never think of. Entry requirements for apprenticeships vary.  Find out more about Apprenticeships HERE.

A Parents’ Guide to Apprenticeships

Traineeships

Traineeships are designed to give learners aged 16-23 who are unemployed the requisite numeracy and literacy skills, alongside work preparation and on-the-job training, to progress either to an apprenticeship or into employment. Designed to last no longer than 6 months, Traineeships offer young learners the opportunity to gain basic employability skills and knowledge whilst deciding which progression route they are most suited to.

Jobs with training

You can work or volunteer full time after Year 11 but you must also train or study at the same time for a minimum of 280 tutor led learning hours a year.  Training may be one day a week over a year, through evening or distance learning.

What are the options after Year 11?

Post-18 Pathways

At the end of Year 13 students will either go to university, take a gap year, go onto apprenticeships or enter full time employment.

We use Unifrog as a platform to help students with university applications.  All students at Royal Alexandra and Albert have a login to use once they are in the secondary phase of their education.  The UCAS website is also an excellent place to find out about different courses.  Students are encouraged to give careful consideration to the financial aspect of university to ensure they have made adequate provision.

Find out more about Apprenticeships HERE.

For gap years, there are companies that help to organise them or students may make their own plans.  Many students will have a plan for attending university in place as it can be hard to apply and secure the support you need when travelling.

What are the Options after Sixth Form?

Careers and SEND Students

At the Royal Alexandra and Albert, we work hard to ensure that students of all abilities and needs have access to careers support in order to help them reach their potential.

The Surrey Local Offer website has a wealth of useful information on and a helpful careers section HERE.

Careers Appointments

We provide independent careers advice to pupils through our dedicated Independent Careers Adviser, Heidi Legg RCDP. In Year 10, all pupils are invited to an individual careers interview, which sets up the discussions for their formal interview in Year 11. In some cases, these discussions with the Careers Advisor start in Year 9. In Year 11, students have dedicated sessions to discuss their next steps after secondary school. Time is given to discuss, explore and develop career ideas. Students in Years 12 and 13 also have access to individual careers interviews.

Pupils are kept informed of apprenticeship and higher-level apprenticeship opportunities by our Careers Lead. For pupils in Years 12-13, pupils are emailed this information directly. Further information about apprenticeship routes is available on the Careers Notice Board. In addition, during their one-to-one appointments with our Independent Careers Adviser, pupils are made aware of options which are available to them regarding further education, higher education, and vocational options. The School also participates in the ASK Programme, which offers apprenticeship support for pupils in Years 10-13 and works closely with East Surrey College to ensure students are fully informed about T-Levels and other vocational courses.

A Careers virtual noticeboard is found HERE and is accessible to parents and students with lots of opportunities as they arise.

The Provider Access Legislation (The Baker Clause)

The Provider Access Legislation (updated in January 2023) specifies schools must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education for all their students:

  • Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (Year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
  • Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (Year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
  • Two encounters for pupils during the ‘third key phase’ (Year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the school to put on but optional for pupils to attend

At Royal Alexandra and Albert, we meet this requirement in these contact points:

  • Year 8 & 9 – Visit from ALPS Partnership
  • Year 8 & 9 – Focus on College and T Levels and alternative courses – Visit from East Surrey College
  • Year 10 & 11 – Visit from ALPS Partnership
  • Year 10 & 11 – Focus on Apprenticeships, training, life and T Levels – Visit from East Surrey College
  • Year 12 & 13 – KS5 lecture from KS5 Destinations Coordinator on degree apprenticeships, including a personal account from an ex-RAAS student who has completed a degree apprenticeship.
  • Year 12 & 13 – KS5 lecture from the owner of a gym: politics graduate, to primary school teacher to CrossFit gym owner. The unexpected journey of making your passion your career.
Evaluation and Monitoring of the Programme

We measure our progress in delivering an effective Careers programme by using the Compass+ Evaluation Tool.  This helps us track how well we are meeting the Gatsby benchmarks and compares us to other schools nationally.

The table below shows our latest evaluation (June 2024).

Gatsby Benchmark RAAS % schools fully achieving this Benchmark nationally
1 – A stable careers programme 100% 69.6%
2 – Learning from careers and labour information 100% 83.8%
3 – Addressing the needs of each pupil 90% 59.7%
4 – Linking curriculum learning to careers 100% 79.9%
5 – Encounters with employers and employees 100% 85.3%
6 – Experiences of workplaces 100% 72.3%
7 – Encounters with further and higher education 100% 57.7%
8 – Personal guidance 100% 77.7%

We do a termly evaluation of our progress and developments and obtain feedback from students so we can see how they are interacting with the careers programme.  Feedback is also given to us from staff, our Independent Careers Adviser, parents, colleges, employers and our Enterprise Co-ordinator.

This year, we are focusing on a closer integration between Compass+ and Unifrog (a platform we use to support careers plan development as well as for University applications).  We are also launching our own Careers Fair in July which will allow all students to explore a variety of career options with employers and Educational providers attending.

Useful Links

These websites are a useful place to begin to find out what different careers want and offer:

You can find the School’s Careers Policy here.

Contact

For further information about our careers programme, please contact:

Mr Alistair Tickett (Head of Careers)
alistairtickett@gatton-park.org.uk
Telephone: 01737 649000

Information regarding Careers will be reviewed in November 2025.

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