Careers Information and Guidance

At New Rush Hall School (NRHS), we are committed to equipping our pupils with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to navigate life beyond school. As a specialist provision, we recognise the importance of a structured and aspirational Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG) programme that prepares our pupils for further education, employment, and independent living.

Our careers programme is embedded throughout the curriculum and tailored to the needs of our pupils from Years 1 to 11. In Years 1 to 5, careers learning is integrated into lessons, helping pupils explore the concepts of jobs, careers, and aspirations in a way that is engaging and age-appropriate. As pupils progress through the school, they benefit from personalised careers advice, targeted interventions, real-world experiences, and exposure to a wide range of post-16 pathways.

At NRHS, we firmly believe that high-quality careers education is a key driver of social mobility, helping to raise aspirations and broaden opportunities for our pupils. Through meaningful employer encounters, vocational experiences and tailored support, we ensure that every pupil is empowered to make informed choices about their future.

Throughout Year 1 – 5 pupils will have the opportunity to:

• Explore the terms “job” and “career”.
• Discuss different types of careers.
• Take part in role-play to explore different careers and what each career entails.
• Explore what careers the people around them have.
• Meet professionals, including Police, Nurses and Firefighters.

Throughout Year 6, 7, 8 and 9, all pupils will have had the opportunity to:

• Be introduced to career resources to help them understand their preferences and the options open to them.
• Develop their self-awareness.
• Hear from or talk to representatives from the world of work.
• Receive support to make the right KS4/GCSE, BTEC or Vocational course choices, including assemblies, parent’s events, meetings with senior staff and personalised careers meeting.

Throughout Year 10 – 11 all pupils will have had the opportunity to:

• Prepare CVs, application forms.
• Develop interview techniques in preparation for mock business interviews.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of Post-16 options.
• Have access to after-school support sessions with access to technology.
• Support to write a personal statement for Post-16 applications.
• Increase aspirations through a range of university visits, open days and guest speakers.

Career Guidance Meetings
Pupils are entitled to appropriate guidance to meet their individual needs. All pupils at school can request an appointment with the Careers Lead, although Year 10 & 11 will have scheduled termly appointments. Pupils are identified for careers meetings based on need and through self-referral.

Career information
Career information is available through the Careers Hub, through relevant displays and through assemblies. The Careers Hub includes a range of career guides, apprenticeship and employer information, as well as guides on job-search activities.

External providers
Ranges of external providers are invited into school to support the careers programme. These might include local colleges, universities, training providers, apprenticeship organisations, employers, school alumni, or staff from various projects.

Employer links
Links with employers, businesses and other external agencies continue to grow by building on local community connections with a view to offer pupils experience in the world of work.

Careers Education in the Curriculum
PSHE is offered to all pupils in Year 7 – 11 and within this, there is explicit careers guidance and units of work designed to support all pupils in their destinations. Careers, information and guidance will also permeate throughout the wider school curriculum enabling pupils to link their learning to a range of potential future career pathways.

Gatsby Benchmark
The Gatsby Benchmark is a framework which is used by the school to assess the development of our pupils’ employability skills.

Our Careers Team are guided by the 8 benchmarks to provide our pupils with the best careers education, information, advice and guidance.

To view how we apply the benchmarks, click on the link below:

Download Gatsby Benchmark Implementation Document

Download Careers Guidance Policy Statement

Download Baker Clause Policy Statement

For all information regarding Careers Education and the school Careers Programme please contact:

Mr Kori Simmons – CEIAG Co-ordinator