Careers Education

Quick Links: Year 11 Careers Plan 2025-2026 | Provider Access Statement

The Careers’ program at Education Links is a highly effective and motivating program in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks outlined in the Government’s 2017 Careers Strategy, that prepares our students to be able to access a university course or a professional career. Our definition of ‘professional’ encompasses all careers requiring a serious, professional attitude supported by commitment to achieving academic or specialist qualifications.

These 8 Benchmarks of good careers guidance are:

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. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal Guidance

At Education Links, our learners are delivered Careers lessons throughout their time with us. Students are presented with a series of opportunities and challenges intended to broaden their outlook. Students’ experiences are tailored to meet the needs of broader career pathways. A mix of lesson activities, workshops, presentations, university and workplace visits, work experience and careers fairs, alongside personalised academic mentoring ensures that all students are focused on career pathways. The curriculum prepares students for adult life and equips them to access the opportunities it offers. As well as building knowledge and skills, our careers curriculum, through its design and implementation, develops the personal values and competencies, which we believe to be the cornerstone of a successful professional career.

All students at Education Links have opportunities to learn about access to alternative routes to employment, including vocational qualification and apprenticeship, as required by the Baker Clause.

If you require any further details, please contact our Careers lead

Email: office@education-links.org

Tel: 020 8555 0850

Our Provider Access Statement and Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance Programme policy can be found from the links below and is also available to download from our Key Policies and Information page:

Education Links School - Year 11 Careers Plan (2025 - 2026)

Rationale

Education Links School serves students who may face barriers to mainstream education and who often require additional guidance to make successful transitions into post-16 education, employment, or training. As part of our statutory duty under the DfE Careers Guidance (January 2023 update) and in line with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF), this careers plan aims to ensure that every Year 11 student leaves school with a clear, supported, and aspirational pathway that prevents them from becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).

This plan is also mapped against the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring a structured and high-quality careers provision that meets national expectations.

Purpose

To equip every Year 11 student with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed post-16 choices.
To ensure that all students have at least three viable post-16 applications (college, sixth form, apprenticeship, or training provider).
To provide individualised support, recognising the unique needs of Education Links School students, including those with SEND or those at risk of disengagement.
To involve parents and carers as active partners in the careers decision-making process.
To provide aftercare support, maintaining contact with students once they have left to reduce the likelihood of NEET outcomes.

Intended Outcomes

100% of Year 11 students will have at least three confirmed post-16 applications by December 2025.
Every student will secure a suitable offer of education, employment, or training by March 2026.
All students will attend a transition activity (college visit, apprenticeship provider meeting, or interview preparation) before leaving Education Links.
Follow-up support will ensure that 95%+ of leavers remain in sustained education, training, or employment beyond September 2026.

Careers Lead Actions

Step	Date	Description	Linked Frameworks
1	September 2025 – October 2025	Getting to know the students: One-to-one career guidance meetings to explore aspirations, skills, and challenges. Student profiles updated using assessment data, career interest tools, and discussions with teaching/pastoral staff.	Ofsted EIF: Personal Development DfE: Individual tailored guidance Gatsby Benchmark 3
2	November 2025 – December 2025	Explaining pathways: Deliver targeted workshops and assemblies on A-Levels, T-Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and supported employment. Students complete three post-16 applications with staff support. Parent/Carer meetings arranged to discuss options and provide additional guidance.	Ofsted EIF: Quality of Education, Personal Development DfE: Parental involvement Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 7, 8
3	January 2026 – March 2026	Securing offers: Monitor applications and liaise with providers to ensure every student has confirmed placement. Additional interventions provided for students at risk of NEET.	Ofsted EIF: Behaviour and Attitudes, Leadership and Management DfE: Duty to secure access to providers Gatsby Benchmarks 2, 3, 7
4	March 2026 – June 2026	Transition support: Arrange college visits, mock interviews, and employer engagement sessions. SEND students supported with EHCP transition reviews and meetings with providers.	Ofsted EIF: SEND provision, Personal Development DfE: Transition planning Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5, 6, 7

Aftercare Support (Post Year 11 Leavers)

Three structured follow-up calls to students and families (September, December, and March).
Contact with post-16 providers to confirm attendance and engagement.
Where students disengage, they are invited back into school for targeted re-engagement and guidance.
This ensures Education Links meets its duty to reduce NEETs and provides continuity of care.

Careers Administration Support

Step	Date	Description	Role
1	October 2025	Welfare Check 1: Contact students and families to confirm progress with initial applications. Provide early intervention if required.	Admin logs contact, escalates concerns to Careers Lead.
2	February 2026	Welfare Check 2: Confirm interviews, offers, and provider communications. Identify gaps and alert Careers Lead.	Admin updates central database, ensures accurate records for reporting.
3	June 2026	Welfare Check 3: Confirm final post-16 destinations with students, families, and providers. Prepare statutory September Guarantee returns.	Admin ensures compliance with DfE reporting.

How This Plan Meets Key Requirements

Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF)

Quality of Education: Careers guidance embedded into curriculum delivery and tailored to student needs.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Supports aspirations, motivation, and resilience through structured planning.
Personal Development: Provides students with skills, cultural capital, and knowledge to succeed in life.
Leadership and Management: Demonstrates a strategic careers programme aligned with national guidance and statutory duties.

DfE Careers Guidance (January 2023 Update)

Provides independent and impartial careers advice tailored to individual students.
Meets the Baker Clause, ensuring access to a range of providers.
Ensures every student receives support with post-16 applications and transition planning.
Includes parent/carer engagement as recommended by statutory guidance.

Gatsby Benchmarks Alignment

1: Stable careers programme (this plan provides clear structure).
2: Learning from labour market information (pathways sessions use up-to-date LMI).
3: Addressing individual needs (personalised one-to-ones and SEND support).
4–6: Linking curriculum to careers, employer encounters, workplace experiences.
7–8: Encounters with further/higher education, personal guidance.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Destination tracking (September Guarantee and annual leavers’ survey).
Termly reviews of careers provision with SLT (and governors annually).
Student voice surveys to measure impact and confidence in career planning.
Evaluation against Gatsby Benchmarks.