CEIAG Programme Intent
All young people require a structured and progressive programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) to support informed decision-making at key transition points at 14 and 16, and to equip them with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to manage their careers and sustain long-term employability.
At The Heights, Blackburn, we provide impartial CEIAG to support our pupils in progressing to further or higher education, vocational training or employment. Our programme promotes engagement, enjoyment and achievement, and is aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks. It is delivered through a combination of curriculum integration, enrichment activities and meaningful engagement with parents, employers and external providers.
Lower School (KS2, Years 7 & 8) – ‘Venture’
In Lower School, our pupils develop early awareness of the world of work and begin to explore a broad range of careers and pathways. We support them to build ambition, challenge stereotypes, and develop an understanding of diversity in the workplace. Our pupils are supported to identify their strengths and develop key employability skills, including communication, teamwork and problem solving. We introduce them to academic, vocational and technical pathways, alongside early encounters with employers and workplace contexts. A focus on confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing underpins our pupils’ preparation for future education and employment.
Year 9 – ‘Engage’
In Year 9, we support our pupils to make informed and realistic GCSE option choices linked to their interests, strengths and potential career aspirations. Our pupils further develop employability skills and begin to understand how these apply in different workplace contexts. We provide meaningful encounters with employers and post-16 providers through assemblies, workshops and careers events. Our pupils gain a clearer understanding of labour market information and the range of academic, vocational and technical pathways available. Individual guidance supports our pupils in decision-making, ensuring they are well prepared for transition into Key Stage 4 or their next educational setting.
Year 10 – ‘Developing Potential’
In Year 10, we embed careers education across all curriculum areas, ensuring clear links between learning and future career opportunities. Our pupils engage in meaningful encounters with employers and gain first-hand experience of the workplace through a structured work experience placement. This enables them to develop practical skills, build confidence and understand employer expectations. We provide visits to colleges, universities and workplaces, giving our pupils insight into further and higher education pathways. Our pupils continue to develop essential employability skills, including professional communication, time management and adaptability. Ongoing engagement with local employers strengthens our pupils’ understanding of career pathways and supports informed planning for post-16 options.
Year 11 – ‘Achieve’
In Year 11, we focus on securing sustained and appropriate post-16 destinations for all pupils. Our pupils receive targeted support to complete applications for further education, apprenticeships or employment, including developing CVs, personal statements and interview skills. We provide careers events, employer engagement activities and encounters with further and higher education providers to ensure our pupils are fully informed of their options. Opportunities for social action and work-related learning continue to build employability skills and personal development. Each pupil has an individualised progression plan, and we provide additional tailored support for those with specific learning or social needs. Ongoing guidance and intervention, including for pupils who join later in the academic year, ensure that our pupils are well prepared to transition successfully and sustain positive outcomes beyond The Heights.
Inclusion with in our CEIAG Programme
At The Heights, Blackburn, we are committed to ensuring that our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme is fully inclusive and accessible to all pupils. We recognise and value the diverse needs, backgrounds and aspirations of our pupils and aim to provide equitable opportunities for all to engage with, and benefit from, the programme.
Our CEIAG provision is designed to support every pupil, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), social, emotional and mental health needs, and those who may face additional barriers to learning or progression. We ensure that careers education is appropriately differentiated, with tailored support, guidance and interventions provided to meet individual needs and starting points.
All pupils have access to impartial information, meaningful encounters with employers and education providers, and experiences of the workplace. Pupils also have access to an appropriately qualified Level 6 Careers Adviser, who has extensive experience and expertise in supporting young people with additional needs. Where necessary, reasonable adjustments are made to enable full participation, including personalised guidance, adapted resources and additional support during activities such as work experience, visits and interviews.
We work closely with parents, carers, external agencies and providers to ensure that each pupil is supported in identifying realistic and aspirational pathways. Individual progression plans are developed to reflect pupils’ strengths, interests and needs, ensuring successful transition into post-16 education, training or employment.
A key strength of our inclusive approach is the comprehensive support provided during transition. We recognise that transition can be a significant period of change, particularly for pupils with additional needs, and therefore implement a highly personalised transition process. This includes one-to-one support for pupils throughout the transition period, ensuring their individual concerns, aspirations and support needs are fully understood and addressed. We facilitate structured meetings with parents and carers alongside post-16 providers to ensure clear communication, shared understanding and collaborative planning.
In addition, we organise detailed handovers with key staff at receiving provisions, ensuring that essential information is shared effectively. This includes communication between key staff at The Heights and designated staff at the new setting, so that appropriate support strategies, learning needs and pastoral considerations are in place from the outset. Where appropriate, additional visits, familiarisation opportunities and phased transitions are arranged to support pupils in building confidence and readiness for their next step.
Through our inclusive approach, we aim to raise aspirations, remove barriers to participation and ensure that every pupil is equipped to make informed decisions and achieve positive, sustained outcomes.
How we ensure inclusion within CEIAG:
- Differentiated careers education tailored to individual needs, abilities and starting points
- Access to a qualified Level 6 Careers Adviser with expertise in supporting pupils with additional needs
- Personalised one-to-one guidance and individual progression planning
- Adapted resources and flexible delivery methods to support accessibility
- Reasonable adjustments for activities such as work experience, visits and employer encounters
- Targeted interventions for pupils with SEND and additional barriers
- Opportunities for all pupils to access meaningful encounters with employers and education providers
- Close collaboration with parents, carers and external agencies
- Structured transition support, including one-to-one pupil support
- Parent and provider meetings to support informed decision-making and planning
- Detailed handovers and information sharing between key staff at The Heights and receiving provisions
- Additional transition visits, familiarisation and phased transition opportunities where appropriate
- Ongoing monitoring and support to ensure successful post-16 transitions
