Careers Education, Information and Guidance (CEIAG) Provision Statement

At Thornhill Academy, we believe that all young people should be equipped with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. We are committed to ensuring that every student is prepared to make informed decisions about their future and develop into confident, active citizens. 

The world of work continues to evolve rapidly. Many of the careers our students will enter in the future may not yet exist, making it essential that they develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, resilience and problem-solving. Our careers programme helps students build these skills while raising aspirations and broadening horizons. 

Our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme provides students with access to high-quality careers education, meaningful encounters with employers and education providers, and impartial careers guidance. The programme supports students in understanding the full range of pathways available, including further education, higher education, apprenticeships, technical qualifications and employment opportunities. 

Careers education is delivered to all students from Year 7 onwards through a planned programme of learning and enrichment activities: 

• Year 7: Introduction to Careers - Who Am I Now? 
• Year 8: Exploring Careers - Who Could I Be? 
• Year 9: Developing My Skills 
• Year 10: Becoming Employable 
• Year 11: Preparing for My Future 

The programme is delivered through: 

• Tutor and Personal Development sessions 
• Curriculum learning across subject areas 
• Employer encounters and workplace experiences 
• Careers fairs and networking events 
• College, university and apprenticeship provider engagement 
• Work experience opportunities 
• Visits, workshops and guest speakers 
• Projects and programmes delivered by external partners 

The impact of our careers programme is monitored through a range of quality assurance measures, including: 

• Student voice and feedback 
• Future Skills questionnaires 
• Careers participation and encounter tracking 
• Gatsby Benchmark monitoring 
• Destination data analysis 
• Employer and partner feedback 

To support the delivery of our careers programme, we work closely with a range of local, regional and national partners, including: 

• Regional Colleges and Sixth forms 
• Regional and National University outreach programmes 
• Regional Employers and apprenticeship providers such as Nissan and Sunderland BIC 
• National Employers and apprenticeship providers such KPMG, DHL, Network Rail, NHS and The Royal Navy 
• Work experience providers such as DUCTU, Futures for all and Springpod 
• North East Combined Authority Careers Hub 

Our careers provision is reviewed annually to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our students, reflects labour market opportunities and aligns with national guidance and best practice. Regular evaluation enables us to respond effectively to emerging student needs and ensure that all young people are supported to achieve their ambitions.

At Thornhill Academy, we are committed to delivering a high-quality careers programme that meets the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance. These nationally recognised benchmarks provide a framework for ensuring all students receive effective careers education, information, advice and guidance. 

Our careers programme is designed to support students in making informed decisions about their future and preparing successfully for education, training and employment. 

The eight Gatsby Benchmarks 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 

We evaluate our careers provision regularly using the Compass+ self-assessment tool. Our latest progress against the Gatsby Benchmarks can be viewed in our Compass Careers Benchmark Report. 

Year 7: "Who Am I Now?" 

In Year 7, students are introduced to the world of careers through the theme "Who Am I Now?" 

During tutor time, students explore their skills, strengths and personal qualities, while considering how these can be developed. They learn about the difference between a job and a career and begin to explore a range of occupations that may match their interests and abilities. 

Through their Personal Development and Guidance programme, students are introduced to the basics of financial literacy. They learn about budgeting, different methods of payment, and how to manage money safely and responsibly. 

Year 8: "Who Could I Be?" 

In Year 8, students explore the wide range of careers available across different sectors and organisations through the theme "Who Could I Be?" 

Through tutor time and careers learning, students investigate different job roles, career pathways and the skills required for success in the workplace. They begin to consider how their interests, strengths and aspirations may influence their future choices. 

As part of their Guidance programme, all students take part in the Step into the NHS Competition. This national initiative helps students discover the vast range of careers available within the NHS, while developing creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills. 

Year 9: Developing My Skills 

In Year 9, students focus on developing the enterprise, employability and transferable skills that will support them in future education, training and employment. 

All Year 9 students take part in an Enterprise Challenge, working in teams to develop business strategies. This experience helps students build skills in teamwork, communication, creativity and problem-solving. 

Students also complete activities through the Barclays LifeSkills Programme, which helps them develop essential workplace skills, explore career pathways and gain a better understanding of employability, financial capability and the world of work. 

As students begin to consider their future pathways, they are encouraged to explore their post-16 options along side their GCSE pathways, including sixth form, college, apprenticeships and technical education.  

Year 10: Becoming Employable 

In Year 10, students prepare for the next stage of their education and future careers through a range of employability and workplace experiences. 

All Year 10 students prepare for and participate in Work Experience as part of our annual World of Work Week. This valuable opportunity allows students to gain first-hand experience of the workplace, develop their employability skills and explore potential career interests. 

To prepare for their placements, students work with tutors, careers staff and external partners to develop the skills employers value most. Preparation activities include: 

• CV writing and personal statement development 
• Mock interviews 
• Professional communication skills 
• Telephone and email etiquette 
• Workplace expectations and conduct 
• Health and safety awareness 

Year 10 students also have opportunities to visit universities, colleges and training providers, helping them to explore the wide range of pathways available after Year 11. These experiences encourage students to begin thinking about their future aspirations and make informed decisions about their post-16 options. 

Year 11: Preparing for My Future 

Year 11 is an important year as students make decisions about their next steps after school. Throughout the year, we support students in exploring their post-16 options and making informed choices about their future education, training and career pathways. 

All students receive a personal careers guidance interview with a qualified Progress Careers Adviser and are provided with an individual action plan to support their progression. Students also receive guidance on refining their CVs, completing application forms and preparing for interviews.