Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance

At Highfields School, we are fully committed to doing all we can to ensure that all of our students are fully aware of the possibilities open to them in every sector of employment, and the huge variety of careers on offer to them. As well as providing students with the academic foundations to succeed, we pride ourselves on the wide range of opportunities we provide, from Year 7 through to Year 13, for students to explore future pathways and receive quality advice and guidance so that they are able to make the right choices, whether that be Further Education, Higher Education, an apprenticeship or employment. 

CEIAG at Highfields is tailored to meet the needs of all. Students have the opportunity to visit universities to gain experience of life in Higher Education, whilst our links with business, including apprenticeship providers, local industries and the uniformed services, provide opportunities for students to explore the world of employment. Highfields School regularly welcomes a number of special guest speakers and business people to inspire students with their own success stories and raise aspirations. Former Highfields student and soul superstar, Beverley Knight, is one of many ex-students who have visited the school to inspire students. Work Experience takes place in Year 11 and Sixth Form, and we are constantly looking to develop further links with local business. 

Trips and activities are organised by individual departments to give our students a better insight into particular careers. These include: 

  • Mock interviews carried out by Microsoft employees for all Year 12 students 

  • Guess My Job - introducing students to employers

  • STEM Club - encourages students to get involved in Science, Technology and Maths extra-curricular activities 

  • Performing Arts - trips to the theatre and visits from musicians to inspire students 

  • Catering and Hospitality - strong links with local businesses, including Marstons

  • University Campus visits for Year 10 students

  • Film making workshops and a visit from a TV and Film Director. 

  • Construction workshop and talk from an alumni construction site manager

  • Speakers 4 Schools - inspiring talks with specific year groups and subjects

In line with the new Provider Access Policy, we ensure that providers of approved technical education and apprenticeships have: 

  • At least two encounters for students during the ‘first key phase (Year 8 or 9)  

  • At least two encounters for students during the ‘second key phase’ (Year 10 or 11)  

  • At least two encounters for students during the ‘third key phase’ (Year 12 or 13) 

The whole school focuses on CEIAG every January, with special events scheduled across the academic year, including the annual Highfields School Careers Fair.   The 2024 Careers Fair was the biggest Careers Fair to date and was an exciting opportunity for all students to meet and talk with local businesses, apprenticeship providers, and representatives from Further and Higher Education institutions.  The 2025 Careers Fair aims to be even bigger.  

 
 

Helping Students Make The Right Choices

Throughout the year we organise special CEIAG events specific to year groups to focus students on subject options, work experience, CV and interview skills and to support them in making informed decisions. These events include:

  • Year 8 mini options - Foundations for the Future

  • Year 9 Moving Forward and Course Choice Evening

  • Year 10 Work Experience

  • Year 11 Staying in Learning day

  • Sixth Form Higher Education convention

  • Student access to Unifrog CEIAG platform

 

CEIAG Evaluation and Review

Progress towards achieving the Gatsby Benchmarks is evaluated using the online tool Compass Plus. This is carried out on an termly basis by the Careers Leader supported by our Careers Enterprise Co-Ordinator. The CEIAG development plan is based upon the outcomes of the Compass evaluation.

All CEIAG events are evaluated by students and staff.  Feedback is collected though questionnaires, student voice and interviews after each event.  Results also feed into the CEIAG development plan.

The effectiveness of careers guidance is reflected in students destinations such as apprenticeships, sixth form and further education colleges, universities or employment. Destination data is used to assess how successfully students make the transition into the next stage of education or training, or into employment and to inform future CEIAG provision.

Teacher resources for CEIAG are available for staff and cover all areas of the curriculum.

A link governor has responsibility for overseeing the quality of careers guidance. The Careers Leader reports to the link governor and the Governing body on a termly basis.

The CEIAG policy is reviewed annually by the Careers Leader, and ratified by Governors.

The information on the careers pages of the school website are reviewed and updated annually. The next review will be May 2025