Co-op Academy Priesthorpe CEIAG Programme

2025-2026

Careers Leader : Chris Chapman

Rationale and Vision

Our academy is committed to ensuring all of our students have access to highly impartial careers advice and to a range of employers who can support them in considering their future. To help us do this we align our CEIAG Plan to the revised Gatsby Benchmarks (2025) which have been explicitly referenced throughout the DfE’s Careers Strategy (December 2017) the Statutory Guidance for Careers (May 2025) and aligns to the delivery of independent careers guidance to year 8-13 pupils in accordance with section 42A of the Education Act 1997. We also have a Provide Access Policy that focuses specifically on technician qualifications and apprenticeships that is available in our “policies” section.

 The 8 Gatsby benchmarks are outlined below:

1. A stable careers programme

 2. Learning from career and labour market information

3. Addressing the needs of each student

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

5. Encounters with employers and employees

6. Experience of work places

7. Encounters with further and higher education

8. Personal guidance

The vision for the development of CEIAG across our academy is to provide the very best opportunities to enable  our students to make informed and incisive decisions throughout, and beyond, their school life. By using the Gatsby benchmarks as a framework for best practice we have  a CEIAG programme that meets the needs of our ever changing cohort of students, providers and labour market landscape. Our plan promotes equality of opportunity, celebrates diversity and challenges stereotypes whilst inspiring, raising aspirations and giving our students an optimistic outlook on life and their place in the world of work.  

We are always guided by our Co-op values:

Do what matters most

What matters most is ensuring that our students achieve the best possible outcomes.

Be yourself, always

We bring our best self to work, so that we each contribute a bit of our own unique Co-op difference, and respect others for doing the same.

Show you care

We care about our Co-op, our colleagues, our members, our students, their parents and communities, now and for the future.

Succeed together

Co-operating is what makes us different; we’re better and stronger when we work together and incorporate Co-op values

Intent

Our CEIAG programme is both bespoke and unique to our academy and is reviewed on an annual basis to meet our students needs based on our monitoring and evaluation processes. We are committed to providing a coherently planned and sequenced programme that reflects our academies context and core values. Our programme is designed to give all learners the knowledge, skills, understanding and cultural capital they need to go on to destinations that meet their aspirations and interests. With this in mind we aim:-

• To provide impartial and independent career guidance for all pupils (Gatsby Benchmark 1 - 8)
• To contribute to strategies for raising achievement, especially by increasing motivation, attitude to learning and attendance (Gatsby 3)
• To support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity (Gatsby 3,4)
• To encourage participation in continued learning including higher education, further education and apprenticeships (Gatsby 7,8)
• To develop enterprise and employment skills (Gatsby 2,3)
• To provide relevant information and understanding of the wide range of pathways and qualifications available to ensure students make the right choices regarding their post 16 / 18 options and hence reduce ‘drop out’ from and ‘course switching’ in education and training (Gatsby 3,5,6,7,8)
• To contribute to the economic prosperity of individuals and communities (Gatsby 2,5,7)
• To meet the needs of all our pupils through appropriate differentiation (Gatsby 3)
• To focus students on their future aspirations and opportunities (Gatsby 3,4,8)
• To involve parents and carers (Gatsby 1,2,5,6,7)
• To support the raising of the participation age and assist with positive destinations for all pupils post 16 (Gatsby 1,4,8)

• To meet the needs of our current cohort of students across each year group (Gatsby 1,3)
• To use current LMI to enable students, staff and parents to engage actively with local and national CEIAG information so that they can increase their knowledge and understanding about the world of work. (Gatsby 1,2,3)
• To use student's parents, staff feedback to reflect on our current provision in order to develop our future CEIAG programme (Gatsby 1,2,3)
• To provide additional support to specific vulnerable groups such as SEND and pupil premium (Gatsby 1-8)
• All stakeholders have a clear understanding of CEIAG and rationale and vision (Gatsby 1)
• To quality assure our  current provision in order to ensure there is clear impact evaluation  in line with other curriculum areas  (Gatsby 1)
• To share best practice with other Co-op academies at network events to ensure reflection and development of own programme (Gatsby 1)
• To ensure all students actively engage with a CEIAG tracking platform to support them in making informed choices about their Career development plan (Gatsby 1,2,3)
• To achieve / work towards  a Quality in Careers award in recognition of all that our academy offers (Gatsby 1)

Our CEIAG programme underpins the six learning outcomes that are described in the Career Development Institute (CDI) framework which reflects the knowledge, skills and attitudes we aim to develop in all of our students. When we create our programme we ensure we have considered engagement with all of these learning areas as set out below-

Implementation
Our programme is delivered via bespoke activities, subject curriculum, coaching plus, and a wide range of extracurricular and enrichment activities. Throughout KS3 and KS4 CEIAG is accessed by all at Co-op Academy Priesthorpe. CEIAG is delivered by a wide range of providers such as our independent Careers Advisor, Teaching and Associate staff, FE Colleges, Universities, visiting speakers, employers, employees and training providers. This delivery includes bespoke workshops, assemblies, work visits, work experience, work shadowing and mock interviews through subject curriculum. Our students are supported and encouraged to explore all possible pathways they may take in the future, to ensure they have the very best start to their career journey. Our staff receive regular CPD to support them in embedding employability skills into their subject areas and coaching groups. Our parents can access our academy's website which provides clear links to a range of CEIAG related events and information, from Labour Market Information (LMI), to all things Apprenticeships. Parents are also encouraged to attend academy events such as Meet Your Coach And Teacher (MYCAT) days , which provide access to CEIAG information.

We are occasionally offered additional opportunities for our students from a range of stakeholders. Please see a list of other possible events we may take part in and add to our policy in due course.

• Visits to Universities (Gatsby 1,3,7)
• Visits to FE College  (Gatsby 1,3,7)
• PSHCE CEIAG element of SoL (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
• Enrichment week (Gatsby 1, 2, 3 ,5,7)
• Industry insight days (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
• Aspiration audit (Gatsby 1,3,8)
• FE / HE fairs (Gatsby 1,3,7,8)
• External providers ie Enterprise  / Dragon Den drop down days (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
• Career panels (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
• Career insight visits (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
• Subject related “Do Nows / Starter” during National  Career Week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
• Y9 Career events preparation for options ie Career information evening (Gatsby 1,3,7)
• Y9 internal taster sessions prior to options  (Gatsby 1,3,4)
• Apprenticeship assembly / workshops  (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
• LMI assembly / PSHCE / workshops  (Gatsby 1,2,4)
• Leeds Manufacturing week (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)
• Workplace visits (all years)  (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)
• Employer mentoring (Gatsby 1,3,5)
• Y10 works place visit / experience (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)
• CEIAG enrichment days / weeks (Gatsby 1,2,3,4, 5,6)
• Sixth form open evening (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7)
• Curriculum links to employers (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
• Masterclasses (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5)
• Targeted motivational speakers ie challenging stereotypes / SEND (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5)
• STEM activities (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
• SEND  / vulnerable groups additional support / projects (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
• CV / job application preparation (Gatsby 1,2, 3,4,5)
• Staff LMI  / Apprenticeship CPD (Gatsby 1,2,3)
• CEIAG  subject ambassadors meetings (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
• Curriculum mapping (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)

SEND and other vulnerable groups

All CEIAG opportunities are fully inclusive and are designed to engage with all students. Embedded within our programme are additional events / activities to support our students with SEND such as :

• A series of 1 - 1 interviews , parents invited, support assistant available (Gatsby 1,3)
• Preparing for the world of work workshops  (Gatsby 1,2,3)
• Structured KS4 transition programme in post 16 ie taster sessions / days, mentoring  (Gatsby 1,2,3)
• Focused enterprise activity sessions  (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
• Structured mock interviews (Gatsby 1,2,3, 5,7)
• Supported work experience  (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)
• Access to inspirational role models  (Gatsby 1,3)
• Appropriate KS4 pathways available in curriculum   (Gatsby 1,3,4)
• Work shadowing (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,6)
• Partnerships with employers with a diverse workforce  (Gatsby 1,3, 5)
• Careers Advisor present at EHCP annual review in KS4 (Gatsby 1,3,8)

Staff

• Annual update on LMI (Gatsby 1,3,4,5)
• Annual feedback on Compass (Gatsby 1)
• Directed time to develop CEIAG in the curriculum (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,7)
• PSHCE curriculum review (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
• External CEIAG CPD ie visiting a local subject related business (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
• Unifrog workshops/online sessions inc Work Experience (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,7)
• Work Experience drop in sessions (one to one basis) (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,7)

Impact 

Measuring the impact of our  CEIAG programme  supports us  to develop  it on a termly basis and to know that we are making a positive and empowering difference. We value quantitative and qualitative feedback from all stakeholders and ensure our evaluations lead to amendments in our future planning. We undertake internal and external quality assurance to ensure our intent and implementation  is in-line with our expectations.

We measure impact in the following ways:

• Positive destinations data for all
• Tracking of Compass over time
• Reduced NEET figures over time  (Include your 3 year trend for NEETs)
•  - i.e NEET Figures (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
• Feedback and evaluation for all events, both quantitative and qualitative
• Increase in attendance / reduction in PA over time
• Reduction in behavior incidents including Ftex / P ex over time
• Increase in A2L data
• Increase in progress  / attainment over time
• Progress and achievement data over time with reference to vulnerable groups ie SEND
• Reviewing progression data over time ie take up of Apprenticeships, entry into FE with reference to vulnerable groups ie SEND
• Development of employability skills after key events
• Employer engagement increasing

Destination Data

The table below shows the percentage of students who were classed as being  Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) compared to the local authority and a national level when they left school in year 11.

Sixth Forms & FE College Website Links

Apprenticeships

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship 

https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships-in-the-uk

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/apprenticeships

https://amazingapprenticeships.com/ 

Universities

https://www.ucas.com/discover/create-your-ucas-hub-today (New Hub that has replaced UCAS progress)

 www.russell group.ac.uk  (represents 24 leading universities, source of careers information & advice including ‘informed choices’ a downloadable guide to making post 16 choices)

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance   (Student finance)

https://universitycompare.com/    (comparing different universities)

https://universitycompare.com/rankings/   (University rankings)

https://www.unitasterdays.com/  (A directory of university events for school groups and individual students._

Labour Market Information (LMI)

https://www.lmiforall.org.uk/

https://www.the-lep.com/research-and-publications/research-publications-archive/leeds-city-region-labour-market-information-report-20182019/

Futuregoals.co.uk

Provide career inspiration to help you make those important next steps to reach your FutureGoals. Creative Industries, Digital, Manufacturing and Engineering, Construction, Professional services and Health and Social Care are all key sectors for Leeds City Region. https://futuregoals.co.uk/careerstarters/ Our way of living has changed quite a lot recently. Now, more than ever, it’s really important to keep our brains active and challenged. Without the daily structures that we’re used to, self-motivation is a really vital skill that we need to nurture and develop.

www.futuregoals.co.uk/remote

FutureGoals Remote tests your communication and planning skills, it develops your creative thinking and challenges you to think outside of the box. You will tackle activities that help you to problem solve, become innovative and step into a range of different career sectors. These resources have been designed to help you learn skills that local employers are looking for such as; communication, planning and research, problem solving, creativity, organisation and self-reflection FutureGoals Remote resources - “Create it!” -

Other

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/  (provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work)

https://www.careersbox.co.uk/     (A great source of up to the minute job profile films)

https://icould.com/     (Career videos to find out about a wide range of careers and opportunities)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-of-the-future   (what does the future hold!)

https://successatschool.org/ 

Success at School is the place for young people to explore careers, get the lowdown on top employers, and search for the latest jobs, courses and advice. Get career smart and Register today! Success at school has highlighted some of the different careers that are helping us through the current crisis.

https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/  (opportunities if you decide university is not for you)

https://uk.job-applications.com/   (has useful videos, demonstrating how to complete the online applications for many top companies in the UK, as well as providing detailed information on salaries and interviews. Application forms can be printed off directly from this site.)

http://www.talkingjobs.net/    (An online video player that delivers a series of career case studies)

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/

Everyone needs eight essential skills to succeed - whatever their path in life. Skills builder provides a range of resources for building these skills in a home setting - all underpinned by the Skills Builder Framework. Resources are available for learners aged 4 to 20+.

https://www.thewowshow.org/students/

The WOW Show (World of Work) - The WOW Show is a live online channel creating real-life encounters with the world of work to inspire young people about their futures. Have a look at some of the recordings and find out about any careers you are considering for your future.

https://www.futuresforall.org/

Speakers for schools - virtual work experiences Working with over 50 leading employers across industries, this offers students the chance to apply for interactive, high impact placements, through a safeguarded application portal and platform. During placements, students interact with employers, complete real work projects and work together to gain industry insights and skills.

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Careers in Health Professions – Make a difference with a career in health. Get all the information you need to take the next step in your career. Health professions have been highlighted during the Coronavirus pandemic and demand is expected to increase. There are hundreds of types of careers in health available so it is definitely worth consideration. The NHS employs around 1.5 million people and there are over 350 roles to choose from, not just a doctor or a nurse! You can see a list of the careers available here: stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/careers and you can compare the many varied careers available here: healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/compare-roles

Parents

https://targetcareers.co.uk/parents-and-teachers

https://www.careeralchemy.co.uk/choosing-career-paths.html

https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/zones/parent/