Our careers programme

Our careers programme is designed to enable our young people to make informed decisions and manage their transitions as both learners and workers. It is vital that all pupils who attend Newbury Manor School have the opportunity to develop the building blocks of the knowledge and skills they will need in later life.

We are committed to offering a whole-school careers programme for all our pupils. In line with the Gatsby Benchmarks (revised November 2024) our aim is that “every year, in every subject, every pupil should have opportunities to learn how the knowledge and skills developed in that subject helps people to gain entry to, and be more effective within, a wide range of careers.” (“Good Career Guidance; The Next 10 Years”, 2024).

Our careers programme aims to assist pupils to develop a positive self-image, increase self-confidence, challenge stereotypes and to raise personal aspirations and provide opportunities for:

  • Pupils to receive appropriate careers advice and guidance
  • Pupils to gain up to date labour-market information
  • Supporting pupils’ development at key points throughout their education

In line with current guidance, the careers education curriculum at Newbury Manor School is primarily embedded into the PSHE programme of study, reflecting the varying levels of ability within the school and is tailored to meet the needs and ability of each student. In addition, all teachers ensure that careers-related learning is embedded in their subject curriculum and:

  • Highlight the progression routes for their subject
  • Highlight the relevance of the knowledge and skills developed in their subject for a wide range of careers pathways

Our careers programme aims to prepare all our young people for the ever-changing opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life and equip them with the skills to manage the choices, changes and transitions ahead of them. Our careers programme is offered to pupils from primary age upwards, in line with the DfE guidance revised in May 2025.

For pupils of primary age this includes:

  • Discussing careers and how people help us
  • Sharing what parents do for jobs and the type of work/jobs children would like to do when they grow up
  • Exposure to different professions through time spent in the community – doctors, nurses, shop assistants, people working on the roads, construction sites visible on car journeys, lifeguards (swimming), staff jobs across school
  • Embedding knowledge and understanding of the world in which we live, how education can support children with the jobs they want to do when they are adults
  • Career aspirations for the future and linking to outside school where they may have family members or family friends who do that job

For pupils Year 7 upwards, in addition to developing the areas started in primary, this includes:

  • Events and careers-related talks promoting careers, supported internships and apprenticeships for awareness events such as National Careers Week & National Apprenticeship Week
  • Small group opportunities
  • Attending lessons in subject areas all of which have careers embedded in their curriculums
  • Assemblies
  • 1-1 support with college applications and interviews
  • Opportunities for meetings with a L6 qualified careers adviser
  • Opportunities to attend careers fairs and college visits
  • Work experience and/or work shadowing opportunities
  • Employer encounters

Parents and carers are key partners in our careers work with pupils. We strive to engage with them through:

  • Our annual survey which aims to collect feedback on our careers programme
  • Our termly careers bulletin which is emailed to all parents/carers with news, resources and articles
  • Our annual “Next Steps” transitions event for parents/carers of pupils in Year 7 and upwards