Preparing for the Future: Our Careers Programme
At Mayfield, our careers programme is designed to inspire ambition and prepare every student for adult life. It is personalised, practical and curriculum-linked, ensuring young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to move on to further education, training, supported employment or community pathways.
Our Aims
We aim to:
- Encourage pupils to think ambitiously about their future and explore a wide range of options.
- Provide high-quality, personalised information, advice and guidance from Year 7 to Year 14.
- Equip students with the skills required for successful transitions into adulthood.
- Work closely with parents, carers and partners to broaden opportunities and support social mobility.
- Ensure student voice shapes planning and decision-making.
What the Programme Includes
- Work-related learning (from Key Stage 3): hands-on activities that use the world of work to teach practical skills and workplace behaviours.
- Work experience: tailored placements both on site (e.g. café, office, EYFS support) and with local employers, charities or public services. Placements are personalised to each student’s needs and EHCP outcomes.
- Accreditation & pathways: a range of qualifications and units, including Functional Skills (English and Maths), ASDAN and bespoke vocational accreditation to reflect individual goals.
- Employer encounters & events: assemblies, taster sessions, workshops and themed weeks (e.g. National Careers Week, National Apprenticeship Week).
- Transition Passport: every student has a record (from Year 8 onwards) that logs experiences, skills and achievements and supports planning for next steps.
How Students Access Careers Learning
Students receive a mix of classroom teaching, practical tasks and real-world encounters. Typical provision includes:
- At least six meaningful encounters with external providers (colleges, training organisations, apprenticeship and technical providers) where appropriate.
- Curriculum activities that link learning to careers.
- Supported work experience and on-site placements tailored to individual needs.
- One-to-one guidance linked to EHCP goals and transition planning.
How Parents & Carers Can Get Involved
We value family involvement and provide many routes to access careers information:
- Invitations to careers events, taster sessions and information evenings.
- Updates and resources via the school website, EHCP reviews and transition meetings.
- Opportunities to contribute to planning and feedback after work placements.
If families need additional support to access information, staff will work proactively to help.
How Teachers Support the Programme
Teachers embed careers within the curriculum by:
- Linking subject learning to real-life and employment contexts.
- Preparing students for visits, placements and employer encounters.
- Identifying opportunities to develop independence and employability skills.
- Working with the Careers Leader to ensure consistent delivery.
How Employers & Providers Can Engage
We welcome partners who can offer:
- Workplace visits and employer talks
- Skills workshops and demonstrations
- Supported work experience placements
- Participation in mock interviews and careers events
Employers interested in supporting the programme should contact the school office or Careers Leader.
Gatsby Benchmarks & Quality Assurance
Our programme is aligned with the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, providing a framework for a stable, high-quality careers offer. This includes personalised pathways, regular employer engagement, experiences of the workplace and clear links between curriculum learning and careers. The Transition Passport supports monitoring and ensures each student’s pathway is coherent and recorded.