Careers Education at Options Higford
At Options Higford, careers education is an integral part of our wider Learning for Life curriculum. Our approach recognises that preparation for adulthood looks different for every learner and that careers development must be meaningful, realistic and personalised.
Careers Leaders:
Stacey Bratt and Jamie Perry
Together, they lead and oversee the planning, delivery and review of careers education across the school.
Our Careers Approach
We support students’ careers development through a carefully planned and progressive offer which includes:
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Embedding careers education throughout the Learning for Life curriculum
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Providing clear Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) for learners, families and staff
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Displaying learner-friendly and staff guidance materials across school
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Maintaining links with external IAG providers and advisory services
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Actively seeking and responding to learner voice
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Working towards Level 6 Careers Leader qualification
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Offering realistic internal and external work experience opportunities, where appropriate
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Delivering discrete sessions exploring key areas such as:
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Getting Myself Ready for Work (including basic workplace health and safety)
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Exploring the World of Work
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Delivering Level 6 careers advice workshops through the Learning for Life curriculum
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Providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for key staff
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Using feedback from learners and parents/carers to inform the annual review of our careers offer
For further detail, please see our Careers Curriculum document below.
You can also find more information about the Outcomes First Group Careers Guidance Team here:
Bespoke Careers Pathways – Find Out More – Outcomes First Group
Careers Education by Key Stage
Key Stage 1
Years 1–2
At this stage, careers learning focuses on early exploration and understanding of the world around us.
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Role-play of work-related activities
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“People who help us” learning activities
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Story time linked to different jobs and workplaces
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Exploration of equipment used in different roles
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Dressing-up and imaginative play
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Off-site visits including gymnastics, horse riding and swimming
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Participation in Options Higford Careers Week
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Individual classroom job roles
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Inspirational visitors and employer engagement activities
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Involvement in fundraising and enterprise activities
Key Stage 2
Years 3–6
Learners begin to explore aspirations, skills and future possibilities in more structured ways.
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Role-play of work-related activities
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Opportunities to observe older learners during vocational activities
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Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) transition reviews
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Working with learners and families to identify aspirations and long-term goals
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Inspirational visitors and employer engagement activities
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Participation in fundraising and enterprise activities
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On-site work experience opportunities
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1:1 and group sessions with the OFG Futures Advisor and Local Enterprise Advisors
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Off-site visits including gymnastics, horse riding and swimming
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Weekly community visits linked to the curriculum
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Participation in Options Higford Careers Week
Key Stage 3
Years 7–9
Careers education becomes more explicit, with structured learning and practical experiences.
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Classroom lessons incorporating the CDI Framework and AQA Unit Award Scheme
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Role-play of work-related activities
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EHCP transition reviews
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Ongoing collaboration with learners and families to identify aspirations and goals
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Inspirational visitors and employer engagement
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Enterprise activities
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Off-site visits to local businesses
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On-site work experience opportunities
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Weekly community visits linked to the curriculum
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Off-site visits including gymnastics and swimming
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1:1 and group sessions with the OFG Futures Advisor
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Participation in Options Higford Careers Week
Key Stage 4
Years 10–11
The focus shifts towards preparation for adulthood, employability skills and next steps.
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Classroom lessons incorporating the CDI Framework and AQA Unit Award Scheme, where appropriate
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Functional Skills lessons exploring work, money and budgeting concepts
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Lessons focused on CV writing, job applications, interview practice and workplace behaviour
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Mock and real interviews
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On-site work-related learning, including roles such as:
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Teaching Assistant support
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Gardening
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Running the Snack Shack
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Exploration of first off-site work experience placements in local businesses or charities
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1:1 and group sessions with the OFG Futures Advisor to create a Moving On Plan
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EHCP transition reviews
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Support with transition to college, where appropriate
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Participation in Options Higford Careers Week
Key Stage 5
Years 12–14
Learners focus on independence, employability and successful transition beyond school.
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Classroom lessons incorporating the CDI Framework and AQA Unit Award Scheme, where appropriate
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Increased on-site and off-site work-related learning
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Lessons developing skills for job searching, applications, CVs and interviews
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Mock and real interviews
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Visits to skills and employment fairs, where appropriate
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1:1 and group sessions with the OFG Futures Advisor for impartial reviews or moving-on planning
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Visits to colleges and further education providers
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Off-site visits to local businesses
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Participation in Options Higford Careers Week
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Life Skills curriculum linked to AQA Unit Award accreditation
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Vocational profiling in partnership with learners and families
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Support with transition into further education or appropriate next steps
External Partners and Supporting Agencies
To support high-quality careers education, Options Higford works with a range of external organisations, including:
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St Andrews Church
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Timpsons
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Tesco
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Care First (Outcomes First Group)
On-Site Work-Related Learning Opportunities
We provide a range of practical, meaningful work-related activities within school, including:
Snack Shack
Learners take on roles such as waiting, cleaning, food preparation and customer service.
On-Site Shop
Roles include stock taking, serving customers, handling money and cleaning.
Horticulture and Gardening
Learners help maintain our horticulture garden, growing plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables throughout the year.
Litter Picking
Learners help keep the school grounds clean and learn responsibility for shared spaces.
Jobs Around School
Learners support with display preparation, cleaning tasks and general maintenance activities.
Contact
Careers Leaders:
Stacey Bratt and Jamie Perry
Telephone:
01952 630600