Careers education and work experience
At The Henry Cort Community College, we aim to ensure that every student is self-confident, skilled and career-informed. Through a comprehensive programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) and Work-Related Learning (WRL), we support students in making informed decisions about their future education, training and employment pathways.
Our careers programme is built around the nationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks and is designed to prepare students for successful transitions throughout their education and beyond.
Student Entitlement
All students are entitled to:
- Learn about the full range of education, training and employment pathways available to them, including technical education and apprenticeships.
- Hear from a variety of employers, further education providers and apprenticeship organisations through assemblies, careers events and employer encounters.
- Understand how to apply for academic, vocational and technical courses at key transition points.
- Participate in the required provider encounters outlined within the Provider Access Legislation.
- Receive impartial careers guidance and support throughout their time at the college.
How You Can Support at Home
Parents and carers play a vital role in helping young people explore their future aspirations.
We encourage families to:
- Discuss subjects your young person enjoys and how these may relate to future careers.
- Explore the different pathways available at Key Stage 4, Post-16 and Post-18.
- Challenge common misconceptions about careers, apprenticeships and employment sectors.
- Encourage curiosity about the world of work and future opportunities.
Useful resources include:
Both Careers Companion and Spark help students explore their strengths, develop employability skills and investigate future study and career options.
Key Contacts
Careers Leader
Mrs S Warner
Careers Operational Lead
Mrs S Hills
Email: careers@henrycort.org
Students can request additional careers guidance appointments at any time and should contact Mrs Hills in the first instance.
Accessing Careers Information
We believe that preparing students for their future is a shared responsibility between school, home and the wider community.
Students
Students can access careers information through:
- Careers lessons
- Tutor activities
- Assemblies
- Enrichment events
- Individual careers guidance appointments
- Careers Companion
- Spark
Parents and Carers
Parents and carers can access careers information through:
- The college website
- Information evenings
- College newsletters
- Direct contact with the Careers Operational Lead
Teachers and Staff
Staff work collaboratively with the Careers Leader to embed careers learning throughout the curriculum. Careers education is supported through subject teaching, enrichment activities and links with employers and education providers.
Employers and Training Providers
Employers, universities, apprenticeship providers and further education providers wishing to support our careers programme should contact the Careers Team using the details above.
Careers Education Programme
Careers education and work-related learning form an important part of our wider curriculum. The programme is delivered through careers lessons, tutor sessions, assemblies, enrichment days, employer encounters and external visits.
Year 7
Students begin exploring the world of work and develop an understanding of employability skills through:
- What is Work? (Gatsby Benchmark 2)
- Spark Careers
- Exploring career sectors
- Employability skills
- Encounters with Higher and Further Education (Gatsby Benchmark 7)
- Careers lessons
- Tutor sessions
- External visits
CDI Focus: Exploring the World of Work
Year 8
Students develop self-awareness and decision-making skills through:
- Self-management and effective decision-making
- Employability skills
- Spark Careers
- Encounters with Higher and Further Education (Gatsby Benchmark 7)
- Careers lessons
- Tutor sessions
- Assemblies
- External visits
CDI Focus: Commence the Journey - Who Am I?
Year 9
Students begin exploring future career opportunities in greater depth through:
- Meet the Employer activities (Gatsby Benchmark 5)
- Employability skills
- START Personal Profiling
- Encounters with Higher and Further Education (Gatsby Benchmark 7)
- Careers lessons
- Tutor sessions
- Assemblies
CDI Focus: Building Aspirations and Exploring Career Opportunities
Year 10
Students prepare for work experience and future qualifications through:
- Work Experience Preparation (Gatsby Benchmark 6)
- Employability skills
- Encounters with Higher and Further Education (Gatsby Benchmark 7)
- Careers lessons
- Enrichment Day
- Tutor sessions
- Assemblies
CDI Focus: Identifying Choices and Qualifications, Self-Presentation and What Employers Want
Year 11
Students receive guidance to support post-16 applications through:
- Interview preparation (Gatsby Benchmark 5)
- CV writing and interview skills
- Encounters with Further Education, Higher Education and Apprenticeship Providers (Gatsby Benchmark 7)
- Careers lessons
- Assemblies
- Tutor sessions
- Enrichment Day
CDI Focus: Seeking Help, Making Plans and Applications
Employer Connections
We are grateful to the many organisations that support our careers programme and provide valuable opportunities for our students.
Recent employer partners include:
- BAE Systems
- BOC Gases
- bmJV
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA)
- INEOS Team UK
and many others.
Provider Access Requests
The Henry Cort Community College welcomes opportunities for employers, apprenticeship providers, further education colleges, universities and training providers to engage with our students.
Any provider wishing to request access should contact:
Mrs S Hills
Careers Operational Lead
01329 843127
or complete the college's Employer Connections Form.
Our Provider Access Statement and Careers Policy are available in the Policies section of the website.
Careers Programme Development
We believe that every student should be prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. Careers education is an important and distinctive element of our curriculum, equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and experiences they need to make informed decisions about their futures.
We continually review and develop our careers provision in line with national guidance and remain committed to achieving all eight Gatsby Benchmarks and working towards the Quality in Careers Standard.
Evaluating Impact
The impact of our Careers Programme is reviewed regularly using:
- Compass+ benchmarking against the Gatsby Benchmarks
- Student feedback
- Participation in careers activities
- Destination data following Year 11
- Employer and provider feedback
- Internal quality assurance processes
This helps ensure our programme continues to meet the needs of students and prepares them effectively for their next steps in education, training and employment.
Work Experience
As part of our careers programme, all Year 10 students participate in a work experience placement.
Work experience is widely recognised as one of the most valuable elements of careers education, providing students with first-hand experience of the workplace and helping them develop important employability skills.
Students receive extensive support with sourcing placements and preparing for the experience. However, we encourage students to take ownership of the process as an important step towards independence and future employment.
Parents and carers can support by encouraging students to engage positively with the process and helping them identify suitable placement opportunities.
For further information or support regarding work experience, please contact Mrs Hills via sac@henrycort.org.
Review Information
Last reviewed: September 2026
Next review due: September 2027
This page should be read alongside the college's Careers Policy and Provider Access Statement, available in the Policies section of the website.