At Rivertree Free School, careers guidance is embedded into our curriculum from primary all the way through to secondary. It’s delivered during our life skills sessions, in spotlight sessions, on non-timetable days and within subject teaching.  

Ocean pupils who can, will participate in a work placement programme. This may involve class visits out in the community or specific work placements for a set period. Students who are not on placement participate in a programme of study to develop skills that build their confidence and prepare them for transition and the world of work. This may include discussions about work experience, encounters with employers and higher education providers, interview techniques, CV writing, personal research in areas of interest, and post-16 opportunities/pathways.

Recent research from SEMLEP (South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership) has shown that if a student has 4 meaningful encounters with an employer, they are 86% less likely to become NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). We will complete an annual development plan detailing how this strategy is delivered to the students. We will gather and analyse feedback from questionnaires completed by students, parents, and external agencies on the Careers provision. This will be carried out at least once every three years. In addition, pupil and parent views are gathered regularly through EHCP meetings and one-to-one meetings to discuss opportunities and courses available to pupils post-16. The success of our careers guidance programme will be judged on how well our pupils can talk about their aspirations, different jobs and roles within career paths, and also on how many pupils continue with their studies and are accepted onto courses that will help them progress towards their chosen career path.