Careers
Careers Education at Pattison School
Pattison School offers programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) for all pupils in Years 7–11, designed to raise aspirations, broaden horizons, and support informed decision-making about future education, training, and employment.
Our careers provision reflects the academic, vocational, creative, and technical strengths of our pupils and aligns with statutory guidance, the Gatsby Benchmarks, and the Baker Clause.
1. Our Careers Education Programme
Careers education at Pattison School is delivered through a blended model, combining curriculum delivery, enrichment opportunities, and targeted individual support.
This includes:
- Timetabled PSHE and careers lessons
- Careers learning embedded across subjects, with explicit links to future pathways
- Assemblies and workshops focused on employability, aspiration, and real-world contexts
- Employer, training provider, college, and university encounters
- One-to-one impartial careers guidance, particularly for Year 11 pupils
- Work experience, supported by structured preparation and reflection
Pupils record and reflect on their careers learning through a Careers Passport, which tracks encounters, skills development, and aspirations over time .
Involvement of pupils, parents, and employers
- Pupils engage through lessons, mentoring, workshops, careers events, and work experience
- Parents are supported through guidance discussions, communication at key transition points, and parental meetings
- Employers, colleges, universities, and training providers are invited into school to contribute to assemblies, workshops, and guidance activities
2. Gatsby Benchmarks
Pattison School works towards meeting all eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance, with a clear commitment to meeting or exceeding them by 2026 .
Our programme ensures:
- A stable, well-led careers programme
- Access to up-to-date labour market and pathway information
- Encounters with further and higher education, employers, and training providers
- Personal guidance to support informed choices
- Monitoring through Compass+ and ISAMS to track pupil engagement and impact
Further detail is available in the school’s Careers Policy.
3. Provider Access Policy (Baker Clause)
Pattison School complies fully with the Provider Access Legislation (Baker Clause).
Provider Access Statement
External education and training providers are welcome to request access to pupils in Years 8–11 to inform them about approved education and training routes.
This includes:
- Further Education colleges
- Sixth forms
- Apprenticeship and training providers
- Providers of technical and vocational qualifications
- Employers and industry representatives
Pupils are given opportunities to learn about:
- Apprenticeships
- T Levels
- Technical and vocational education routes
- Academic pathways, including A levels
Requests for access should be made in advance and will be scheduled to support pupils’ learning and wellbeing. All encounters are recorded and reviewed for impact .
4. Careers Leadership and Contacts
Careers Leadership Structure
- Careers Leader (Strategic): Kelly Guthrie (Outcomes First Group)
- Headteacher: Mr Charlie Northcote – overall accountability for careers provision
- Careers Coordinator: Mrs Charlotte Plastow – daily coordination, tracking, and provider liaison
- Careers Adviser: Emma Barton – independent, Level 6 qualified adviser delivering impartial one-to-one guidance
Contact:
This structure ensures clear accountability, statutory compliance, and high-quality provision across the school .
5. Pathways, Transitions, and Destinations
Pattison School supports pupils to progress successfully to their next stage.
Post-16 pathways include:
- Further Education colleges
- Sixth forms
- Vocational and technical courses
- Apprenticeships and training programmes
Transition support includes:
- Individual guidance interviews
- Mentoring and parental meetings
- Work experience preparation and reflection
- Careers Passport tracking and review
Where appropriate, destination data is reviewed to evaluate impact and inform future provision.
Our Commitment
Pattison School is committed to ensuring that:
- Careers guidance is impartial, inclusive, and ambitious
- University is not presented as the only route
- Technical, vocational, creative, and academic pathways are valued equally
- All pupils, including those with SEND, receive appropriate support
