At Clarion, our careers and guidance programme is embedded in our vision and values. We provide guidance and information on careers to all stakeholders including: students, parents, teachers, governors and employers. 

Our Careers and Guidance programme follows students journey throughout their school life at Clarion beginning in Year 7 until Year 13.

We recognise that students have different career guidance needs at different stages throughout their school journey. We understand that opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student. Our school's careers programme embeds equality and diversity considerations throughout this journey.

We have a Careers Advisor who provides tailored and impartial advice to all learners, providing essential guidance for their next steps.

At Clarion all teachers make connections between the curriculum learning with careers. Departments and Year Team Leaders provide opportunities and coordinate trips which inspire, excite and educate students in a range of fields.

STEM subject teachers highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.

Careers and guidance is also advertised when students select their option choices in Year 8 and Year 9, as well as transitioning from Year 11 to Year 12.

At Clarion every student has first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and work experience to support their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks.

In Year 10 and 12, all students participate in a week long work experience placement. We have forged many valuable partnerships in a range of sectors. We also actively encourage students to take initiative and research and organise their own placements.

Throughout the duration of their work experience, staff follow students progress throughout, in the form of phone calls and workplace visits. We offer support and guidance before, during and after their work experience placements.

At Clarion, all students gain an understanding of the full range of next steps learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes.

By the age of 16, every student will hae had multiple meaningful encounters with providers of the learning opportunities, including sixth forms, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers.

By the age of 18, all students visit multiple universities where they meet staff and students, taking part in various workshops and tours.

We are proud of our Next Steps Assembly Curriculum, where we invite university speakers in regularly to provide information about the diverse range of university courses and degree apprenticeships in all fields.

At Clarion every student has multiple opportunities for one to one guidance interviews with our (Level) trained Careers Advisor.

Our careers advisor attends Progress Evenings for Year 11-13, as well as Results Days. During these events tailored advice and guidance is provided for whenever significant study or career choices are being made.

We provide careers guidance for every student during key stages of transition, including; the selection of Year 8 and Year 9 option choices.

The year 7 careers curriculum focusses on creating a foundation for understanding careers and next steps. It begins through students’ exploration of their interests and skills. 

Students gain an understanding of careers that relate to their interests, and the qualifications, skills and attributes needed to be successful in those career paths.

They also conduct research into a range of careers paths, exploring entrepreneurship, the labour market and gaining insight into pay and having a healthy work life balance. 

They participate in multiple careers and guidance assemblies, university and apprenticeship talks and workshops, enterprise drop down days and various enrichment trips. 

The year 8 careers curriculum focusses on students developing  an understanding of how to be successful through highlighting and drawing their skills together to start building an effective CV and  job applications.

Students continue to gain an understanding of careers that relate to their interests and the sustainability of jobs in the current climate. 

They continue to conduct research into a range of careers paths, exploring entrepreneurship, the labour market and ‘green jobs’. 

They participate in multiple careers and guidance assemblies, university and apprenticeship talks and workshops, enterprise drop down days and various enrichment trips.

Options assemblies and options evening: Year 8 also receive extensive support when choosing their option subjects for the next academic year.

The year 9 careers curriculum focusses on students choices for their next steps and the learning pathways students can take when they leave school. They continue to reflect on and develop their skills. They have multiple opportunities to develop their soft skills which support their success in their future career. 

Students continue to gain an understanding of taking control of their career journey, the labour market, salaries and taking control of their money. 

They participate in multiple careers and guidance assemblies, university and apprenticeship talks and workshops, enterprise drop down days and various enrichment trips.

Options assemblies and options evening: Year 9 also receive extensive support when choosing their option subjects for the next academic year.

The year 10 careers curriculum focusses on students expanding their networks and  preparing for the workplace.

 Year 10 students participate in a week long work experience with employers and organisations. Approaching workplaces, writing cover letters,  CV’s and developing interview skills  is all  part of the preparation needed when commencing their work experience. 

Students continue to reflect on the skills they have developed and assess what they will need to be successful in the workplace. They will explore which career pathway is right for them and research the different ways of working. 

During the placement, students will reflect on their experiences in the form of an employability skills diary and they will also complete a post work experience evaluation which includes feedback and targets from their work experience placement provider.

Students will  participate in multiple careers and guidance assemblies, university and apprenticeship talks and workshops, enterprise drop down days and various enrichment trips.

Students will also access one to one career guidance meetings with our careers advisor.

The year 11 careers curriculum focusses on Post 16 Choices and Pathways, employability skills and application writing. 

KS4-5 Transition: We follow a robust process where students receive tailored support to ensure their transition to their next steps is both smooth and the right decision for them.  Students will develop their understanding of the courses and apprenticeships that are on offer and what is required to complete a high quality application for their next steps. In addition, we focus on interview techniques using the STAR model. 

Workshops on CV writing, personal statements, applications and cover letters are delivered by external professionals. 

All students access at least one tailored, one to one career guidance meetings with our careers advisor. During this session, they receive impartial guidance and advice regarding suitable courses and apprenticeships, destinations and the qualifications needed to be successful. 

Sixth Form Open Evenings and Taster Days: All year 11 students participate in Academic and Vocational subjects ‘taster lessons’ and get a real experience of what it is like to be part of our Sixth Form. They access our Sixth Form facilities and follow our Sixth Form dress code. They then receive application support where they  apply to Whitefield School Sixth Form. They then participate in interviews to determine their suitability for prospective courses. They then gain constructive feedback after their interviews.

NEET Prevention: NEET stands for: Not in Education, Employment, or Training. The Careers  and Guidance Lead tracks student progress  and monitors destination data and works closely with the Director of Sixth Form, Year 11 Year Team Leader, EAL Lead,  SENDco and Careers Advisor to identify students who are at risk of being NEET and provide timely effective interventions. 

Students will  participate in multiple careers and guidance assemblies, university and apprenticeship talks and workshops, enterprise drop down days and various enrichment trips.

The year 12 careers curriculum begins the journey of  successful transition between KS4 and KS5. Students participate in a robust induction process which introduces systems and processes in Clarion Sixth Form as well as participating in How to be successful, How to be independent learners and How to be organised and manage time effectively. 

The careers curriculum then focusses on: Post 18 Choices and Pathways and setting ambitious career goals. Students develop an understanding of  how to be enterprising and further expand their networks. In addition, students participate in workshops on how to research their next steps, write outstanding personal statements, applications, CV’s, cover letters  and  preparing for the workplace. We also focus on balancing work, education, life and wellbeing.. 

Year 12 work experience: students participate in a week long work experience with employers and organisations. Approaching workplaces, writing cover letters,  CV’s and developing interview skills  is all  part of the preparation needed when commencing their work experience. 

Students continue to reflect on the skills they have developed and assess what they will need to be successful in the workplace. They will explore which career pathway is right for them and research the different ways of working. 

During the placement, students will reflect on their experiences in the form of an employability skills diary and they will also complete a post work experience evaluation which includes feedback and targets from their work experience placement provider.

We are proud of our Next Steps Assembly, Form Time and RSHE Curriculum, where we invite university speakers in regularly to provide information about the diverse range of university courses and degree apprenticeships in all fields. We also offer extensive support using the platforms Unifrog and UCAS. We also provide guidance for funding and Student Finance as well as preparing for life after Sixth Form.

We actively encourage students to seek their own work experience encounters throughout the year as well as signpost key events, workshops and taster days for students to participate in during their independent study time. This can be seen on their Google Classroom. 

Students will  participate in multiple careers and guidance assemblies, university and apprenticeship talks and workshops, enterprise drop down days and various enrichment trips.

All students access at least one tailored, one to one career guidance meetings with our careers advisor. During this session, they receive impartial guidance and advice regarding suitable university courses, apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships,  jobs and other  destinations. They also research and discuss the qualifications needed to be successful in these destinations.

The year 13 careers curriculum focusses on Post 18 Choices and Pathways and  application writing. We develop students understanding of creating effective CV’s, Personal Statement and ensure students leave with the essential employability skills needed to be successful.  We also provide extensive support using the platforms Unifrog and UCAS and guidance for funding and Student Finance as well as preparing for life after Sixth Form. Post UCAS, we run drop in sessions with all students to discuss and advice when making their firm and insurance choices.  

KS5 to next steps Transition: Throughout the year, we follow a clear curriculum which ensures students are equipped for their next steps whether it be higher education and further study, apprenticeships or the world of work.  Students will further develop their understanding of the courses,  apprenticeships and jobs that are on offer and what is required to complete a high quality application for their next steps. In addition, we focus on interview techniques using the STAR model.

Workshops on CV writing, personal statements, applications and cover letters are delivered by external professionals. Some students also  participate in preparation workshops for early university applications and entrance exams.

All students access at least one tailored, one to one career guidance meetings with our careers advisor. During this session, they receive impartial guidance and advice regarding suitable university courses, apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships,  jobs and other  destinations. They also research and discuss the qualifications needed to be successful in these destinations.

We are proud of our Next Steps Assembly, Form Time and RSHE Curriculum, where we invite university speakers in regularly to provide information about the diverse range of university courses and degree apprenticeships in all fields. 

We actively encourage students to seek their own work experience encounters throughout the year as well as signpost key events, workshops and taster days for students to participate in during their independent study time. This can be seen on their Google Classroom. 

Students will  participate in multiple careers and guidance assemblies, university and apprenticeship talks and workshops, enterprise drop down days and various enrichment trips.