Careers

Careers Lead: Mrs R Robinson – rrobinson@cornwallisacademy.com

Careers Advisor: Ms T McIntyre – tmcintyre@cornwallisacademy.com

As a school we pride ourselves on having a whole school approach to the provision of careers and in ensuring that we meet the needs of every student, throughout their time with us. Below is a table outlining how we meet the 8 key Gatsby Benchmarks. We regularly assess and evaluate how we meet the each of these key benchmarks through ‘Compass Plus’ tool, which tracks the provisions we put in place for all of our students.

Gatsby Benchmark

Gatsby Benchmark

Guidelines

What we do at Cornwallis Academy

A stable careers programme

Every school should have an embedded programme of careers education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents and carers, staff, governors, employers and other agencies

Extensive careers curriculum mapped through each curriculum area and PSHE lessons.
Specific assemblies in place throughout the academic year to raise aspirations and explore the world of work Information on the school website for both students and parents/guardians.
Careers advise in place for students to utilise including 1:1 guidance in year 11 and sixth form. Specific sessions on CV writing, supporting with university applications and interview support.

Year 7 PSHE:
Identify personal dreams and goals
Skills for the 21^st Century workplace
Steps to achievement
Managing set- backs
Responsible choices

Year 8 PSHE:
Short-, medium- and long-term goals
Resilience
Employability skills
Career Choices
My online ‘footprint’ and impact on future
Budgeting

Pear 9 PSHE:
Personal strengths and weaknesses
SMART planning
Skills for change and adapting to change
Self-reflection and evaluation

Year 10 PSHE:
Dreams for myself and the world
Jobs- legislation around work for young people
Managing setbacks/resilience building
Planning for success
Equality in the workplace

Year 11 PSHE:
Entering the adult world
Legislation affecting 16- year olds
Dreams and goals including financial, jobs, relationships
Resilience Contingency planning

How to complete and navigate next steps through Kent Choices

Learning from career and labour market information

All pupils, parents and carers, teachers and staff who support pupils should have access to good-quality, up-to-date information about future pathways, study options and labour market opportunities. Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers may require different or additional information. All pupils will need the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of available information.

Careers advisor available.
Dedicated section of school website to support both students and parents/guardians.
Development of careers section in school library with information available.
Students have access to the Morrisby Careers Service.
Support post-16 with university application and apprenticeships.

Biennial Careers Fair for whole school and taster day including various pathways for year 11.

Addressing the needs of each young person

Pupils have different careers guidance needs at different stages. Careers programmes should help pupils navigate their concerns about any barriers to career progression. In addition, opportunities should be tailored to the needs of each pupil, including any additional needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils, young people with SEND and those who are absent.

Even though careers 1:1 meeting for year 11 and sixth form, any student can request an additional one to ensure tailored advice and support can be given.
Specific careers assembly to focus on diversity.
Students have access to the Morrisby platform. Year 13 students have dedicated for tutors to support preparation for next steps.

Linking curriculum learning to careers

As part of the school’s programme of careers education, all teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. Subject teachers should highlight the progression routes for their subject and the relevance of the knowledge and skills developed in their subject for a wide range of career pathways.

Careers section of the school website to include information on a wide range of careers linked to each subject.
This information will also be held in the school library.
Careers information boards to be found in each curriculum area.
Development of SoW to include guest speakers from industry as well as a ‘day in the life of…’ for all year groups.

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 opportunities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes, and could include pupils’ own part-time employment where it exists.

Careers fair for all year groups 28th January 2026 for students to explore a wide range of possible career paths and options.
Department specific guest speakers.

Experiences of workplaces

Every learner should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks.

Work experience in Year 10 and Year 12.

Encounters with further and higher education

All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them, including academic, technical and vocational routes. This should incorporate learning in schools, colleges, independent training providers (ITPs), universities and in the workplace.

Support pupils with finding placements and also to include visits to further educational establishments and broaden horizons through whole year group day trips and workshops, Representatives present at Careers Fair as well as local colleges and independent training providers. Subject specific events at universities.

Personal guidance

Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance meetings with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These meetings should be available for all pupils whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be scheduled to meet their individual needs. The careers leader should work closely with the careers adviser, SEND coordinator and other key staff to ensure personal guidance is effective and embedded in the careers programme.

1:1 Careers interview in year 11 and sixth form with a qualified adiser to advise and support with this process and to identify those students who may also need additional guidance.

Information about 1:1 guidance meetings is shared with staff and parents/carers by email, letters and parent bulletins/newsletters.

Date of review: September 2026