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Careers
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)
Preparing Our Students for a Successful Future
At Meadow Park, we are committed to providing high-quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) for every student. Our careers programme is designed to inspire ambition, raise aspirations and equip young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to make informed decisions about their future.
We believe that excellent careers guidance is essential in helping students understand their strengths, explore pathways, and achieve their personal goals — whether that’s further study, apprenticeships, or entering the world of work.
Future employees are going to have to be innovative in their approach to solving problems; they will have to be people who can take the initiative, who can cope with uncertainty and change. They are going to have to be able to communicate well and work well in teams. They will have to be flexible and prepared to reinvent themselves to continue to be employed. Therefore, we have a planned programme of activities to enable students to gain the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes, and attributes required not only to make informed choices about their 14 -19 pathways but to enable them to manage their careers and sustain employment throughout their lives.
Our CEIAG policy can be viewed here
Our Careers Vision
We aim to ensure that every student:
- Understands the full range of career pathways available
- Develops the skills and attributes needed for employment
- Has meaningful encounters with employers, training providers, and further-education institutions
- Receives personalised, impartial guidance
- Leaves school fully prepared for their next steps
Our programme follows the Gatsby Benchmarks for good careers guidance and is reviewed regularly to ensure it meets the needs of all learners.
What Students Can Expect
1. Careers Education in the Curriculum
Careers learning is integrated across subjects and delivered through dedicated PSHE lessons covering:
- Career exploration and labour-market information
- Skills for work (communication, teamwork, resilience)
- CV writing, applications and interview skills
- Decision-making for GCSE, post-16 and post-18 choices
2. One-to-One Guidance
All students have access to impartial careers guidance from our qualified Careers Adviser, Mrs Evans. Appointments can be made via the pastoral team. In Year 11, all students meet with Mrs Evans for a one-to-one appointment and receive a comprehensive career action plan after their interview.
3. Encounters With Employers
We provide opportunities for students to meet and learn from professionals through:
- Careers fairs
- Employer talks and workshops
- Industry visits
- Mentoring programmes
4. Work Experience
Students in Year 10 and 12 take part in a structured work-experience week, giving them first-hand insight into the workplace and helping them develop essential employability skills.
5. Post-16 & Post-18 Pathways
We support students in planning their next steps, including:
- A-levels and sixth-form options
- Apprenticeships and T Levels
- Further education colleges
- University and higher education routes
Support for Parents & Carers
We recognise the valuable role families play in guiding young people. Our careers team provides:
- Parent information evenings
- Guidance for post-16 and post-18 applications
- Access to online careers resources
- Regular updates through newsletters and the school website
- Invitation to the school careers fair
- Access to our careers support at options evenings and progress evenings.
Our Careers Team
Senior Leader for Professional Development: Mr Perris
Careers Advisor: Mrs Evans
Email: c.evans@meadowparkschool.com
Phone: 024 7630 2580
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
The Careers Advisor oversees the careers programme and is the main point of contact for students, parents, teachers, employers and education providers.
We hope you will find the information on this Careers page useful, and if you have any further queries, please contact c.evans@meadowparkschool or telephone 024 7630 2580.
Click on one of the tabs below to find out more about our careers programme at Meadow Park School, including advice and resources available.
Careers Programme
Our careers programme is designed to support all students to make informed, ambitious, and realistic decisions about their future education, training, and employment. It provides a structured, progressive approach to careers education, information, advice, and guidance (CEIAG), ensuring that students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in the next stage of their lives.
The programme has been developed to meet the expectations outlined in the Gatsby Benchmarks (See here: https://www.gatsbybenchmarks.org.uk/):
1 . A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each young person
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experience in workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance
Careers activities take place during subject lessons, assemblies and after school with virtual sessions, external visits and speakers. Students, parents and staff may access this information on the school website, newsletters and the school’s social media platforms.
Our careers programme is reviewed annually, and its effectiveness is considered to ensure continuous improvement and relevance to labour market needs.
| Year Group | Careers Provision | Time Allocated |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Each Year 7 student will have the opportunity to learn about different careers during their PSHE lessons, including an introduction to Uni Frog and understanding the different transition points in their life. Year 7s will be helped with the transition from primary to secondary school during tutor time, PSHE lessons and transition workshops. Exercises include skills analysis, self-reflection, achievements, strengths and interests, which are recorded in a Transition Booklet to help teachers, career staff and students gain a broader understanding of each other and to relate this to career guidance and information. Experience Warwick University Outreach Programme. They will also have off-timetable events where businesses will be invited in to offer an overview of how businesses work and be given general information about certain roles. |
Tutor time throughout the year Warwick University visit Term 2 PSHE lessons Term 4 and Term 5 Careers Month March Off-timetable days to fit needs. |
| 8 | Each Year 8 student will have the opportunity to learn about different careers during their PSHE lessons, including employability and enterprise skills, aspirations and accessing Uni Frog. Experience Warwick University Outreach Programme. They will also have off-timetable events and visits where businesses and enterprises will be invited in to offer talks/workshops on skills in the workplace, which will be tailored effectively to ensure that all pupils see the value of different activities within school and the link between that and business. |
PSHE lessons Term 1 and Term 4 Warwick University visit Term 4 Careers Month March Off-timetable days to fit needs. |
| 9 | Each Year 9 student will have the opportunity to learn about different careers during their PSHE lessons, including being given up-to-date local and national labour market information (LMI) and accessing Uni Frog. Experience Warwick University Outreach Programme. Information evening organised specifically for Year 9 students and parents/carers to look at options for KS4. LMI presentation and separate ‘Options’ assembly delivered by careers advisor Each student will also be given the opportunity to undergo an interview with our careers adviser prior to making their option choices, should they choose to have one. They will have the opportunity to visit the school’s Careers Fair. |
Careers Fair and Pathways Evening Term 3 PSHE lessons Term 4 Careers Month March Warwick University visit Term 6 Off-timetable days to fit needs. |
| 10 | Each Year 10 student will have the opportunity to learn about different careers during their PSHE lessons including preparing for work experience and accessing Uni Frog. They will have off-timetable events and visits with a clear focus on career paths and apprenticeships, including CV workshops, employer, careers and apprenticeship fairs and shows, online work experience events and employer visits to school as well as attending the school’s Careers Fair. Each student will also have access to an appointment with the careers adviser, should they choose to have one. Experience Warwick University Outreach Programme. Year 10 students begin the process of finding Work Experience in April, to complete the placement in July. The onus is on the students to make the placement so that it is tailored as much as possible to what they want to do in the future. Students are issued a work experience diary and feedback forms to record their experiences. |
Careers Fair and Warwick University Visit Term 3 Careers Month May PSHE lessons Term 5 5-day Work Experience placement Term 6 Off-timetable events with a Careers focus as appropriate |
| 11 | Post-16 assembly delivered by careers advisor at the beginning of the year to re-inform them of the options available to them. Each Year 11 student will have a one-to-one appointment with the careers adviser and be issued with a mutually agreed career action plan, which includes important information about career pathways, entry requirements, predicted grades, hobbies, interest and work experience. Each student will have the opportunity to learn about different careers during their PSHE lessons including accessing Uni Frog. Careers Fair for Year 11 inviting external organisations to be present from industry, the public sector, including the armed forces, higher and further education and local training providers to talk about the options that they have in front of them. Experience Warwick University Outreach Programme. |
30 minute careers appointments Warwick University visit Term 2 Careers Fair Term 3 PSHE lessons term 4 Careers Month March Off-timetable events |
| Sixth Form | Sixth Form tutor time focuses on introducing higher education options and degree apprenticeships, plus the wider working environment to ensure that all students are fully aware of what opportunities are available to them. PSHE lessons focus on university applications, registration with UCAS and the journey this entails. Year 12 students begin the process of finding Work Experience, April onwards to complete the placement in June. The students source their own placement to encourage them to develop business acumen and build networks for the future. The careers advisor delivers a presentation on UCAS and each student has access to a personal guidance appointment and help with personal statements. Careers Fair for Year 12 offers students the opportunity to gain information on a variety of different options that they have moving forward and the qualifications they will need to enter different careers. They have off-timetable events and visits to higher education providers and external speakers from different industries, businesses and enterprises. Students are encouraged to sign up for volunteering or continue with the DofE awards. They are also encouraged to attend national careers fairs, apprenticeship shows and university open days. |
Daily tutor time 5-day Work Experience placement 30-minute careers appointments. Off-timetable events |
Gatsby Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Statement | Further Guidance | What MPS Currently Provides | Plans for the Future | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A STABLE CAREERS PROGRAMME |
Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers and employers. | – Every school should have a stable, structured careers programme that has the explicit backing of the senior management team, and has an identified and appropriately trained person responsible for it. – The careers programme should be published on the school’s website in a way that enables pupils, parents, teachers and employers to access and understand it. – The programme should be regularly evaluated with feedback from pupils, parents, teachers and employers as part of the evaluation process. |
The Careers programme part of the CEIAG policy approved by the Headteacher and LGB. It enables students to have a wide understanding of the full range of opportunities available to them and suits the needs of our students. The school employs an experienced level 6 careers advisor who oversees the careers programme and is the main point of contact for students, parents, teachers, employers and education providers. We have days off timetable, and lessons focused on careers as part of the PSHE provision providing a variety of opportunities to meet with employers, training providers, higher and further education providers. March is our ‘Careers Month’ with careers content in lessons and the whole of PSHE given over to careers. Our career plan is fully endorsed by The Careers & Enterprise Company with whom we have strong links and whom reviews our plan and evaluates our work through Compass and tracker tools. |
Continue to increase our engagement with parents via the website, newsletter, face to face events and social media platforms and provide information on events, LMI, policies, and opportunities. Grow the programme offering to deliver activities for each year group every term. |
| 2 | LEARNING FROM CAREER AND LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION |
Every pupil and their parents should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of available information. | – By the age of 14, all pupils should have accessed and used information about career paths and the labour market to inform their own decisions on study options. – Parents should be encouraged to access and use information about labour markets and future study options to inform their support for their children. |
Our PSHE lessons provide a platform for tailored lessons on careers and LMI both locally and nationally. Students use UniFrog to build their research skills to learn more about careers and options available to them and investigate how to get into these. A dedicated careers advisor provides impartial information, advice and guidance through one-to-one appointments, assemblies and workshops. An Options Pathway information evening for students and parents/carers helps students to decide on the best option choices for their career pathways. Career and LMI information is published on our website. |
Enhanced local information to be published on the website as well as information on the destination of school leavers |
| 3 | ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF EACH PUPIL |
Pupils have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each pupil. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout. | – A school’s careers programme should actively seek to challenge stereotypical thinking and raise aspirations. – Schools should keep systematic records of the individual advice given to each pupil, and subsequent agreed decisions. – All pupils should have access to these records to support their career development. – Schools should collect and maintain accurate data for each pupil on their education, training or employment destinations for at least three years after they leave the school. |
Careers education is embedded within PSHE lessons which are continually being updated to ensure that information is up to date and students have access to the most relevant detail they need to allow them greater access to the working environment. Students use UniFrog to research and investigate careers they are interested in pursuing, alongside teachers and the careers team who record student career interventions and track students’ individual accounts. All students receive a comprehensive career action plan after their one-to-one interview with our careers advisor. |
Broaden the client base of businesses and enterprises who will be willing to cooperate in the provision of careers education. Increase the number of opportunities to visit career and employer fairs and invite training providers and local colleges into school. |
| 4 | LINKING CURRICULUM LEARNING TO CAREERS |
All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. For example, STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of career pathways. | By the age of 14, every pupil should have had the opportunity to learn how the different STEM subjects help people to gain entry to, and be more effective workers within, a wide range of careers. | Careers forms part of CPD for our teaching staff to ensure that the school is careers focussed and it is embedded into the curriculum. Each subject has a careers week in the school calendar. Students across all year groups participate in a variety of STEM events involving employers and professional bodies both in person and on-line. From interactive workshops and interventions to nationwide competitions, students are actively encouraged to be aware of the benefits of STEM subjects with regard to the workplace to broaden their horizons and future aspirations. All curriculum areas have a careers week where LMI, career pathways and relevant information is explicitly included in lessons. |
Further interaction with businesses and enterprises with a STEM focus to ensure that the opportunities we provide cater for all our pupils. |
| 5 | ENCOUNTERS WITH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES |
Every pupil should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment opportunities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes. | – Every year, from the age of 11, pupils should participate in at least one meaningful encounter* with an employer. *A ‘meaningful encounter’ is one in which the student has an opportunity to learn about what work is like or what it takes to be successful in the workplace. |
Students learn about different careers and have various opportunities to expand their understanding in PSHE lessons. Students participate in workshops run by external groups linked to business and enterprise. Provider Access Policy Statement in place. |
Broaden the client base of employers who will be willing to cooperate in the provision of careers education. Increase the number of employers invited into school. |
| 6 | EXPERIENCE OF WORKPLACES |
Every pupil should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks. | – By the age of 16, every pupil should have had at least one experience of a workplace, additional to any part time jobs they may have. – By the age of 18, every pupil should have had one further such experience, additional to any part-time jobs they may have. |
Students complete Work Experience in Year 10 and Year 12 | Grow the Work Experience provisions currently on offer. |
| 7 | ENCOUNTERS WITH FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION |
All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace. | – By the age of 16, every pupil should have had a meaningful encounter* with providers of the full range of learning opportunities, including sixth forms, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers. This should include the opportunity to meet both staff and pupils. – By the age of 18, all pupils who are considering applying for university should have had at least two visits to universities to meet staff and pupils. *A ‘meaningful encounter’ is one in which the student has an opportunity to explore what it is like to learn in that environment. |
During PSHE lessons students are made aware of all the opportunities available to them post-16 and post-18. The school has strong links with Warwick and Coventry universities and participates in their outreach programmes. Further and higher education providers attend the school careers fair and representatives attend Year 11 ‘Option’ Evenings, assemblies and deliver application workshops. The school attends external University Fairs Post-16 students are encouraged to attend university open days. Provider Access Policy Statement in place. |
Broaden the number of further and higher education establishments invited into school |
| 8 | PERSONAL GUIDANCE |
Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a Careers Adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs. | Every pupil should have at least one such interview by the age of 16, and the opportunity for a further interview by the age of 18. | A level 6 qualified careers adviser is employed by the school to offer impartial careers information, advice and guidance. Priority at present is with KS4 and KS5, with more access for Year 9 before their option choices. All Year 11 and Year 12 students have the opportunity to have a one-to-one interview/meeting with the careers advisor. |
Expand the provision that is in place, to run alongside a wider programme offering more support to pupils who may require it. |
Independant Careers Advice
Mrs Evans is our Careers Advisor. She provides impartial careers information, advice and guidance to our students through one-to-one interviews, workshops and events for consultation regarding subject choices and career aspirations.
Mrs Evans is a qualified, level 6 career advisor and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) with a wealth of experience in mentoring and helping young people to develop and access a wide range of career information and pathways to fulfil their potential. She has worked in both the public and private sector working with apprentices, graduates and undergraduates to deliver the best professional development and the mentoring of young people.
Her work in delivering careers has spanned many years, working in universities and schools as a career consultant and advisor; she was involved in setting up Coventry City Council’s apprenticeship programme and has worked on numerous employment projects within local authorities, universities and the NHS. Mrs Evans spent five years working in the oil and gas sector, looking after the professional development of company graduates.
Mrs Evans meets all our Year 11 and Year 12 students for at least one individual careers interview during the year to help them consolidate their career ideas, and she also offers support to students applying for college courses and apprenticeships.
Mrs Evans can be contacted via email at careers@meadowparkschool.com
Employers and Providers
We welcome partnerships with local and national employers, apprenticeship providers, colleges, and universities. If you would like to support our programme through talks, workshops, work placements, or events, please contact our Careers Advisor by emailing c.evans@meadowparkschool.com or telephoning 024 7630 2580.
We follow the Department of Education, July 2021: “Baker Clause”: supporting students to understand the full range of education and training options, and the Provider Access Legislation, January 2023, to ensure all students have access to information about technical education and apprenticeship opportunities.
Our Provider Access Policy Statement can be viewed here.
Useful Careers Resources
If you are looking for extra career advice, check out these organisations and websites using the links below:
Thinking about an Apprenticeship?
National Apprenticeship Service
Thinking about University?
Advice for Parents and Carers
Apprenticeships
What Is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job that allows you to earn a salary while gaining a recognised qualification and valuable work experience. Apprentices split their time between working for an employer and studying with a training provider, learning the skills and knowledge needed for a specific career.
Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of industries, including business, engineering, construction, health, digital, education, creative industries, and many more.
Key Features of an Apprenticeship
- Earn while you learn – apprentices are paid a wage
- Gain qualifications – from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) up to Level 7 (degree and master’s level)
- Real work experience – develop practical, job-ready skills
- No tuition fees – training costs are funded by the government and the employer
- Career progression – many apprentices move into full-time employment or higher-level study
How Apprenticeships Work
- Apprentices work at least 30 hours per week (including training)
- A minimum of 20% of time is spent in off-the-job training (e.g. college, online learning, workshops)
- Apprentices are employed on a contract and have the same rights as other employees
- Programmes typically last 1 to 5 years, depending on the level
Who Can Apply?
Apprenticeships are available to:
- Young people aged 16 and over
- School leavers, college students, and adults looking to retrain
- Students with different levels of qualifications, depending on the apprenticeship level
Apprenticeship Levels
Different apprenticeships are available all over the country, at large and small organisations, in a wide range of industries. There are hundreds of apprenticeships to choose from and different apprenticeship levels equate to different qualification levels:
- Intermediate (Level 2) – GCSE level
- Advanced (Level 3) – A-level equivalent
- Higher (Levels 4–5) – Foundation degree level
- Degree (Levels 6–7) – Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
Is an Apprenticeship Right for You?
An apprenticeship may be a good option if you:
- Prefer practical, hands-on learning
- Want to start earning straight away
- Are motivated, organised, and ready for the workplace
- Want to progress in a specific career sector
Finding an Apprenticeship
All accredited apprenticeship vacancies can be found on Gov.uk
Download these useful guides: A guide to apprenticeship applications and A guide to apprenticeship interviews
Useful websites include:
Labour Market Information (LMI)
Labour Market Information (LMI) provides data and trends about jobs, employment, skills demand, salaries, and future opportunities, helping individuals with career decisions and employers with workforce planning. LMI looks at trends in the labour market in terms of which sectors and industries are in demand, which are in decline, and which are expected to grow in the future.
The information guides below give an overview of LMI for Coventry and Warwickshire.
LMI Information Parent and Student Guide – Coventry and Warwickshire
LMI Information Poster – Coventry and Warwickshire
Below is a list of data sources and information that can be used to inform career advice and decision-making:
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides UK-wide employment data.
The National Careers Service website has extensive LMI on thousands of jobs. You can find out more information on Careers, including average salary, what qualifications you will need, apprenticeships offered, and current job opportunities.
The Unit for Future Skills’ Local Skills Dashboard provides statistics on local employment and skills in England to support local skills planning and delivery (including local skills improvement plans).
Skills for Careers provides a single front door to information about skills training options and careers. The website guides you through the government’s skills offer.
Careerometer
The Careerometer provides access to key information about different jobs, including average pay, working hours, and projected workforce changes. Just type in any job title to find out more! You can also click on “Display the UK Average” to see how your selected job compares to the UK average.
Key Contacts
Mr T Perris
