Careers and PSHE (Development and Destinations)

Group of adults standing side by side wearing different professional uniforms, representing a range of careers including emergency services, healthcare, construction, education and delivery roles

Statement of Intent

At Swanmore College, Careers and PSHE work together to support pupils’ personal development, wellbeing and future destinations.

We are committed to ensuring that all pupils receive high-quality, impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). This enables young people to understand their strengths and interests, explore a wide range of opportunities, and make informed decisions at key transition points.

Our Careers programme is delivered through the curriculum, PSHE, careers education, employer and provider encounters, enrichment activities and personalised guidance. It is structured in line with national frameworks, including the Gatsby Benchmarks and the Careers Development Institute (CDI) framework, to ensure progression and consistency across Years 7–11.

We aim to prepare pupils for further education, training and employment, including academic, technical and vocational pathways. Parents and carers are valued as key partners and are supported with clear information and trusted signposting to help young people progress confidently into their next steps.

Careers Education at Swanmore

Careers education at Swanmore supports pupils to:

Understand their interests, strengths and skills
Explore a wide range of future pathways
See how learning connects to careers and opportunities
Make informed choices at key transition points

Careers learning is delivered through:

Curriculum subjects
PSHE lessons
Careers events and assemblies
Employer encounters and experiences
One-to-one careers guidance
Online platforms and trusted external resources

Diagram showing the word ‘career’ in the centre, surrounded by labelled elements including skills, education, values, goals and vision

Our Careers Framework (Gatsby Benchmarks)

Our Careers programme is structured around the Gatsby Benchmarks, a nationally recognised framework for high-quality careers guidance.

The Gatsby Benchmarks ensure pupils:

Experience a planned and stable careers programme
Access up-to-date careers and labour market information
Learn about careers through subjects and employer encounters
Receive personalised careers guidance

Our Careers programme is also informed by nationally recognised guidance from the Careers Development Institute (CDI), which supports progression in career learning from Years 7–11.

🔗 View Swanmore’s Careers Education (CDI) framework:
https://www.swanmore-school.co.uk/pupils/careers-and-work-related-learning/careers-education-cdi-spiral-curriculum

Gatsby Benchmarks: what are they?

Horizontal colour gradient banner used to highlight the Gatsby Benchmarks section

Red circular icon with the number one in the centre 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.

Orange circular icon with the number two in the centre Learning from career and labour market information

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.

Addressing the needs of each pupil

Pupils have different career guidance needs. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each pupil. A school’s programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.

Yellow circular icon with the number four in the centre Linking curriculum learning to careers

All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers, even if they are not subject teachers. This includes providing a range of examples of how the subject relates to future career paths.

Yellow circular icon with the number four in the centre 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 activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.

Green circular icon with the number six in the centre Experiences 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.

Green circular icon with the number seven in the centre Encounters with further and higher education

All pupils should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.

Dark green circular icon with the number eight in the centre Personal guidance

Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career 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. All pupils should have individual needs addressed.

Horizontal colour gradient banner used to highlight the Gatsby Benchmarks section

UniFrog – Exploring Futures

UniFrog logo

UniFrog is Swanmore College’s online careers and destinations platform.

About UniFrog:

🔗https://www.unifrog.org

All pupils use UniFrog to:

Explore careers and pathways
Research post-16 and post-18 options
Reflect on interests, skills and achievements
Prepare for key decisions such as options, work experience and applications

Parents and carers also receive their own login to support discussions at home.

🔗 UniFrog at Swanmore:
https://www.swanmore-school.co.uk/parents/unifrog

🔗 UniFrog pupil help:
https://www.unifrog.org/contact-students

The Pupil Journey (Years 7–11)

Careers learning develops progressively as pupils move through the school:

Illustrated journey graphic showing progression from exploration to career choices, work experience and future pathways using icons and coloured arrows

Years 7–8: Exploring interests, strengths and the world of work
Year 9: Linking subjects to careers and making informed option choices
Year 10: Employer encounters and preparation for work experience
Year 11: Post-16 pathways, applications and transition support

Post-16 Choices: College, Sixth Form & Training

Pupils are supported to explore a wide range of post-16 pathways, including:

Sixth form and college courses
Vocational and technical qualifications
Training routes

Most research, planning and application support is accessed through UniFrog, alongside careers lessons and guidance in school.

🔗 Example personal statements:
https://www.swanmore-school.co.uk/pupils/careers-and-work-related-learning/example-personal-statements-for-college-applications

🔗 Year 11: Next steps:
https://www.swanmore-school.co.uk/pupils/careers-and-work-related-learning/youre-leaving-year-11

T Levels

T Levels are technical qualifications designed for pupils who want a practical, industry-focused route after GCSEs.

They combine:

Classroom learning
A substantial industry placement (at least 45 days)

T Levels are available in selected subject areas and are equivalent to three A Levels. They can lead to:

Skilled employment
Higher and degree apprenticeships
Further or higher education

Information about T Levels and other post-16 options is explored in school and through UniFrog, alongside guidance and support from staff.

🔗 Further information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-t-levels/introduction-of-t-levels

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer a high-quality pathway that combines:

Paid employment
Practical, job-specific training
Formal study, leading to nationally recognised qualifications.

As an apprentice, pupils are employed, earn a wage, and complete at least 20% off-the-job training as part of their programme.

Construction workers wearing high-visibility vests reviewing building plans together at a construction site

Apprenticeships are available at a range of levels, including:

Foundation and Intermediate Apprenticeships
Advanced Apprenticeships
Higher and Degree Apprenticeships

They are offered across a wide range of industries and can provide progression into skilled employment, higher education or professional careers.

Pupils are supported to explore apprenticeship pathways through UniFrog, careers lessons, assemblies and individual guidance.

Swanmore School - What Are the Different Types of Apprenticeships?

🔗 Find and apply for apprenticeships (GOV.UK):
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

🔗 Complete Apprenticeship Guide:
https://completeapprenticeshipguide.com

Support for Parents & Carers

Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting young people’s decisions. The following trusted resources may be helpful:

Choices Magazine (Amazing Apprenticeships)

A free digital magazine for parents and carers focusing on apprenticeships and technical education.

🔗 Subscribe: https://amapps.uk/choices

🔗 Past editions: https://amapps.uk/parent-magazine

🔗 Pupil information: https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/zones/student/

Parents’ Guide to University 2025 (UniTasterDays)

A free downloadable guide produced in collaboration with HELOA, supporting families with higher education decisions.

🔗 Download guide:
https://files.unitasterdays.com/downloads/UniTasterDays_Parents_Guide_to_University_2025_accessible.pdf

Careers Guidance & Support

Pupils can access careers guidance:

Through their tutor
Through careers lessons and activities
By requesting individual careers support

Parents and carers are welcome to contact the school at careers-help@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk for further advice or support.

Pupil Destinations

Most Swanmore pupils progress to sixth form, college, apprenticeships or further training after leaving school.

Note : Destination information is reviewed annually and shared with relevant stakeholders.

Wooden signpost with multiple arrows pointing in different directions, each labelled ‘Career’, set against a sky background

Key Careers Dates

College and Sixth Form Open Evenings – Autumn and Spring terms
Work Experience Week – July
Post-16 Applications Support – December to January

Policies & Statutory Information

The following statutory policies outline how careers guidance is delivered at Swanmore College and how education and training providers can access the school:

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) Policy 2025
https://www.swanmore-school.co.uk/pupils/careers-and-work-related-learning/careers-education-information-advice-and-guidance-policy-2025
Provider Access Policy 2025
https://www.swanmore-school.co.uk/pupils/careers-and-work-related-learning/provider-access-policy-2025

Accessibility & Support ♿

If you require this information in an alternative format, or would like additional support (including for SEND pupils and families) with transitions and post-16 planning, please contact the school and we will be happy to help.