Careers

There has never been a time when careers guidance has been as important for young people as it is today. The landscape of education, training and employment opportunities that students need to navigate is more complex and more challenging than that faced by previous generations.

We support students in making well-informed decisions by providing access to differentiated, impartial and independent information and guidance about the range of options (including academic, vocational, apprenticeships) that are most likely to help them to achieve their ambitions.  By helping students with decisions at crucial stages, informing them of all their options and introducing them to the world of work, we aim to prepare them for the world of work whichever pathway they choose.

Aims of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) at Penwortham Priory Academy:

  • to raise students’ aspirations and to broaden their horizons
  • to inspire and to empower students to make informed realistic decisions at key transition points in learning and work
  • to provide good quality independent and impartial careers advice to students which inspires them and motivates them to fulfil their potential
  • to provide advice and guidance which is in the best interests of the student
  • to provide opportunities to work in partnership with employers, training providers, local colleges and others to provide opportunities to inspire students through real-life contact with the world of work
  • to develop enterprise and employability skills including skills for self-employment
  • to support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity

The Academy Careers Plan sets out how the academy provides a fit for purpose careers programme which provides our students with the knowledge and inspiration to succeed in their chosen careers paths.  The Academy Careers Plan is based on the DfE Careers Guidance and access for education and training providers (July 2021), DfE White Paper document Skills for jobs: Lifelong learning for opportunity and growth (January 2021), House of Commons Careers guidance in schools, colleges and universities Briefing Paper (January 2020), CDI Framework for careers, employability and enterprise education (January 2020) and "High quality careers education and guidance in schools is critical to young people’s futures” DfE Careers Guidance and Access for Education and Training Providers (July 2021). 

Our Independent Careers Adviser can help pupils to identify ambitious education, training and career options, and progression routes and enabling them to reach an informed career decision an empowering them to move forward.

The careers programme is reviewed and updated each July on an annual basis. 

Penwortham Priory Academy actively welcomes external providers into school on a regular basis.  The policy statement below sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. 

Provider Access Policy

CEIAG Development Plan

At Penwortham Priory Academy, we have a whole academy approach to careers with all staff supporting the delivery of CEIAG through the pastoral system and within curriculum areas. In addition, we have a designated CEIAG team who co-ordinate and monitor the delivery of the Academy Careers Plan:

  • Mr N Gee (Assistant Principal/Careers Leader)
  • Ms T Smith (L6 Careers Leader, L6 Careers Adviser, Careers Curriculum, Careers Experiences)
  • Mrs V Eastham (Work Experience)
  • Mr M Russel (Link Trustee)

Contact Details

 

Mr N Gee, Assistant Principal / Careers Leader

n.gee@priory.lancs.sch.uk 

Ms T Smith Lead Practitioner for Personal Development / Careers Leader

t.smith@priory.lancs.sch.uk

01772 320250

Here at Priory we do have a number of vehicles for delivering Careers and Futures provision. This programme of events is not pre-planned with exact dates, but is scheduled dependent on the availability of our guests and any calendar they adhere to. These activities include:

  • A taught programme of study in Period 6, mainly a feature of the Autumn Term
  • Assemblies and activities in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week and National Careers Week.
  • A Careers Fair and Year 9 Making Languages Work 'speed dating'
  • Careers Days with collaborative companies such as National Grid and Pell Frischmann
  • Work Experience Week in Year 10
  • Talks from Alumni and other stakeholders on their careers, with specific individual pupils with interest participating
  • Whole class talks from individuals and UCLAN departments on specific subjects
  • Assemblies from colleges, training providers and universities
  • Trips out to colleges, training providers and other workplaces
  • Drop-in visits at lunchtime, in school to employers such as the MOD and National Grid
  • Year 10 Learning for Life Day

A list of our more recent events is detailed below.

The Careers Curriculum Programme

Our programme in school is delivered through taught sessions in Pperiod 6 of the autumn term. 

Year 7

  • Wheel of Life
  • Opportunities, Achievement, Goal setting, Aspiration

Year 8

  • Introduction to jobs, careers and employment sections.
  • Future of jobs and LMI (Local Market Information)
  • Soft and Hard Skills - How to evidence these - Skills Builder links

Year 9

  • Further Education courses and providers
  • Apprenticeships
  • University

Year 10

  • Future Planning
  • Aspects around work
  • Work Experience Preparation
  • Job application processes

Year 11

  • College and training application processes
  • University 

This curriculum programme is emailed to all parents in the spring term alongside information on LMI, signposting to information on the website and a request for parental feedback. Staff and pupils receive the relevant information for the year in September. This information is made available to anyone on request via Ms Smith t.smith@priory.lancs.sch.uk

This year we saw the release of the ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025’  which details ‘Largest growing and declining jobs by 2030’. The link to this document was also emailed to parents and can be found here: Future of Jobs Report 2025: 78 Million New Job Opportunities by 2030 but Urgent Upskilling Needed to Prepare Workforces > Press releases | World Economic Forum

The programme and curriculum is reviewed annually in July in readiness for the following academic year.

Measuring the impact of our careers programme

As with any area of school provision, measuring and assessing impact is key to ensure the provision provided serves all stakeholders well. In the case of Careers, it is important to ensure we look at this in terms of pupils, parents, staff, local employer links, local education and training providers.

Our main measures of impact are:

  • The Gatsby Benchmark Evaluations
  • DfE Destination Data - NEET Figures for previous cohorts (Not in Education, Employment or Training)

Details regarding Gatsby Benchmarks and NEET figures are detailed below.

The Academy’s progress towards achieving the Gatsby Benchmarks is evaluated using the online Compass tool. This is carried out on a termly basis by the Careers Leader.  The CEIAG development plan is based upon the outcomes of the Compass audit. 

Destination data (DfE) is used to assess how successfully pupils make the transition into the next stage of education or training, or into employment and to inform future CEIAG provision.  This is analysed by the Careers Leader with key trends and actions fed back to the senior leadership team and governors. 

Penwortham Priory Academy prides itself on its High Gatsby Benchmark achievement figure and its low NEET figure.

Other sources of information the school uses to assess impact include:

  • Pupils obtaining voluntary opportunities
  • Pupils obtaining part time employment
  • Feedback from colleges and training providers regarding abilities in interviews
  • Feedback from college and training providers regarding successful applications
  • Feedback from employers, colleges and training providers following interactions at Career Programme Events
  • Feedback from employers from mock interviews and work experience
  • Feedback from parents by email and social media regarding our Careers Programme Events and Curriculum
  • Feedback from Inspira our Careers and Enterprise link on our Careers Programme Events and Curriculum and on completion of our Gatsby Benchmark Evaluation
  • Knowledge our young people demonstrate in their one-to-one interviews with our independent Careers Advisor
  • Pupil engagement in the Priory Plus Award and the 'Bright Futures' strand of this.
  • Pupil engagement in; the PiXL Edge Award, iDEA Award, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Sports Leader Accreditation, ASDAN Peer Mentor Programme, all of which develop employability skills and leadership.
  • Pupils seeking opportunities to develop skills and leadership through; initiating fundraising events, standing for Year Council and School Council, initiating new strategies and initiatives, applying for Prefect and Senior Prefect Roles, involvement in ECO Commitee and Culture Week.

The impact of provision is reviewed in July of each academic year and informs the Careers Plan which evolves in this month, in readiness for September.

  • Gatsby Benchmarks are reviewed at the end of every term with Inspira
  • NEET figures are released in November. Pupil tracing follows. Full analysis in December. Rereviewed in February following the January NEET data release.
  • Work Experience Impact is reviewed in March following the February deployment.
  • Other activities are reviewed following specific events to evaluate impact.

The CEIAG policy is reviewed on an annual basis by the Careers Leader.  This is ratified by governors.

Destination Data

The Gatsby Benchmarks

Penwortham Priory Academy careers plan supports the achievement of the eight Gatsby benchmarks:

Benchmark 1: A Stable Careers Programme

  • Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.

Benchmark 2: Learning from Career and Labour Market Information

  • Every student and their parents should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of available information

Benchmark 3: Addressing the Needs of Each Student

  • Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.

Benchmark 4: Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers

  • All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of careers paths.

Benchmark 5: Encounters with Employers and Employees

  • Every student should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.

Benchmark 6: Experiences of Workplaces

  • Every student should have first-hand experience of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing, and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.

Benchmark 7: Encounters with Further and Higher Education

  • All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.

Benchmark 8: Personal Guidance

  • Every student should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all students but should be timed to meet their individual needs.

Employer Links

To support our delivery of careers, the academy has strong partnerships with a wide range of educational institutions, training providers and employers who contribute to our careers programme through:

  • raising aspirations and increasing motivation – helping young people identify educational and occupational goals
  • demonstrating the relevance of the knowledge and skills learnt in subjects to future opportunities in learning and working
  • demonstrating the links between living, learning and earning
  • providing work enrichment opportunities including work experience, workplace visits, guest speakers, curriculum support.

Useful resources for students and parents:

Books on various careers is made available to pupils in the library. The school has been given £300 worth of books from How2Become who are seen as one of the leading publishers of careers advice in schools. Further resources and be found at www.How2Become.com.

  • The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help students make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. The service offers confidential and impartial advice and is supported by qualified careers advisers.  You can chat with an adviser using webchat (8am to 10pm, 7 days a week).  Or you can call 0800 100 900 to speak to an adviser (8am to 10pm, 7 days a week).  Calls are free from landlines and most mobile numbers.
    icould provides career inspiration and information for young people through free access to over 1000 personal video stories, detailed job information, plus practical tips, insight and advice.
  • The National Apprenticeship Service website offers guidance on how to apply for an apprenticeship as well as listing current local apprenticeship opportunities.  More information on apprenticeships can be found at http://amazingapprenticeships.com.
  • CareersBox is a free online library of careers related videos, news and information.
    Careers Advice for Parents aims to give parents an easy-to-read overview of all the essential facts on finding jobs and apprenticeships or choosing further and higher education courses which could make a real difference to their child's future career prospects.
  • CASCAID Parents Guide to Careers Guidance
  • Labour Market Information (LMI) - this website provides up to date LMI for the north west region including labour market profiles and vacancy data.
  • Parental Guidance offers advice and information on all aspects of the process of career choice for young people aged 13 to 25
  • Labour market North West – https://www.lancashireskillshub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Preston-Chorley-and-South-Ribble-Factsheet.pdf

  • Nomis – Official Labour Market Information 

Penwortham Priory Academy prides itself on its work experience programme. All pupils in Year 10 take part in a one week work experience programme which typically takes place in February.

Pupils are expected to arrange their own placements and past experience tells us that those who sort their placements out early in Year 10 will tend to get the best placements. Mrs Eastham will be explaining the process for arranging placements in an assembly in October.

Work Experience gives a wide variety of benefits to our pupils that include:

  • Improved motivation
  • Greater confidence and maturity
  • Increased employability skills
  • Better communication skills
  • Improved team working skills
  • Raised aspirations and greater insight into job opportunities and the qualifications needed Better appreciation of their own strengths and weaknesses
  • An enhanced CV

If you have any questions regarding the work experience programme please contact Mrs Eastham.

Participating organisations:

  • 19 Twentys Ltd T/A Vanikas
  • 3M Scott Safety
  • Ainscough Training Services
  • Amazon
  • Ashbridge Independent School
  • Ashleigh Nursery School
  • Atkinson Theatre Southport
  • Austin Watson
  • Barbers
  • Barlows Trailers
  • Berry Lane Dental Surgery
  • Bread & Butter
  • Broad Oak Primary School
  • CAA Stellar
  • Canine Therapies
  • Carey Child Care Centre
  • Cop Lane Primary School
  • Cragg & Roberts
  • Design Solutions AP Ltd
  • Display Wizard
  • Dobbies Garden Centre
  • Dovehaven Lodge Carehome
  • Dowry House Nursery
  • DTW Flooring & Tiling
  • Equitas Solicitors
  • Farleys Solicitors LLP
  • Flaybrick Homes
  • FWP Ltd
  • Goosnargh Oliverson's CE Primary
  • Head Kandy Hair Salon
  • Heskin Pemberton's CofE Primary School
  • Highfield Tree Care Ltd
  • Holiday Inn Preston
  • IBM
  • Iceburg
  • iLiv (SMD Textiles)
  • Imperial Fairway Ltd
  • Integrate (Preston & Chorley) Ltd
  • J & J Stevenson
  • Jemma Oliver Physiotherapy
  • John Robson Metals Ltd
  • Jonesco Preston Ltd
  • JP Slater electrical
  • Kingsfold Library
  • KM Grocers
  • Lancashire School of Boxing
  • Lancashire Teaching Hositals
  • Lenehan Scaffolding
  • Leyland St James Primary School
  • Leyland Trucks
  • Longridge Vets
  • Lostock Hall Library
  • Maharani Restaurant & Caterers
  • Manor Road Primary School
  • Marie Holmes Estates
  • Maxy at Ashbridge
  • Middleforth CofE Primary School
  • Mitchells & Butlers
  • Morrisons - Riversway
  • Napthens Solicitors
  • National Grid
  • Nissan - Chorley Group
  • Nufield Health
  • Penwortham Pharmacy
  • Penwortham Primary School
  • Pets at Home
  • PFG Services
  • Porsche Centre Oreston
  • Preston City Council
  • Preston North End Community & Education Trust
  • Preston Sushi Ltd (At Asda Fulwood)
  • Priargate Forge
  • Puccini's
  • Rachel Mounsey Hairdresser
  • Rallytech 3D Engineering Ltd
  • Relics In Rock
  • Retreat Adlington
  • RSPCA
  • Smokies Grill & Hut
  • Sound and Vision Automated
  • South Ribble Leisure Centre
  • St Andrews CE Primary School
  • St Stephens
  • Swim Odyssey
  • Tesco
  • The Entertainer
  • The Fresh Chicken Co Ltd
  • Tile Quarry
  • Tinkerbells Nursery
  • Tom Dolan Golf Ltd @ Penwortham Golf Club
  • Transpennine Trains Ltd
  • University of Central Lancashire
  • Ventbrook
  • Westinghouse - Springfield Fuels Ltd
  • Westwood Primary School
  • Whitefield Primary School
  • Wilson Mason
  • Yesss Electrical

Annually, Penwortham Priory host a STEAM careers event (Science Technology Engineering Art and Maths).

Held in the Sports Hall, classes from all year groups attended to chat with employers, colleges and universities with the aim to inspire and educate pupils about careers in the STEAM sectors.

Ever year it is a pleasure to have so many former Priory pupils return to support the event too. Many other local and national businesses, education and training providers join us to provide a valuable opportunity to explore pupil options for the world of work.

At Priory we are passionate about ensuring our pupils are well informed about career options so they can make open minded choices about their future. Our pupils were are always a credit to us at these events, asking great questions, interacting with the activities and collating lots of information. Some are always nervous about the prospect of talking to people they didn't know about careers but respond well to the challenge and experience.

Event organiser - Mrs Massey - c.massey@priory.lancs.sch.uk

Participating organisations:

  • South Ribble Council
  • Business Engagement office (South Ribble)
  • Job Centre Plus 
  • Department for Work and Pensions
  • Lancashire Teaching Hospitals
  • Pathology
  • Ambulance Service
  • Lancashire Fire and Rescue 
  • Lancashire Police – Forensics / Police cadets
  • Army 
  • RAF
  • National Grid
  • Jemma Oliver Physio
  • WSP Engineering
  • Pell Frischmann Engineering
  • BAE Systems
  • Leyland Trucks 
  • Bentley Motors
  • Linguist / Translation
  • Institute of Engineering & Technology
  • Myerscough College
  • Preston College
  • Runshaw College
  • Lancaster University School of Maths
  • University of Central Lancashire
  • Woodspean Training
  • Aspire Training Provider

'Make Languages Work’ has been held at Priory for a number of years now. Year 9 pupils learned about careers where a foreign language is vital.

The day is split into two parts with the aim to show how languages can be used in a range of careers. The day starts with an assembly where Mrs Scully (Lead Teacher for MFL) talks about languages and links to different careers.

One half of the day includes presentations from visitors such as Confucius Institute at UCLan- Chinese, and Médecins Sans Frontières.

The second part is a career speed-dating session which is very popular. The hall is filled with tables and the Year 9 pupils moved around to engage with each of the visiting organisations.  There was a huge range of people available to chat to about their jobs and the importance of different languages to their roles. 

Some of the activities available over the years:

  • Sarah Cutts Translation, who specialises in Spanish and French to English translation of legal, academic and commercial documents. 
  • A magician talked about how he had to speak four different languages for his shows while Mrs Bailey held a drink tasting session where pupils could question her in languages about the drinks, using authentic phrases.
  • Mr and Mrs Taylor are involved with food and wine from Europe and they chatted about the importance of languages for their business among others.
  • Lee Deaville who produces video footage and had created some for Liverpool Football Club.  He talked about how they had to get a translator in to help them because of the language barriers with some players. Some of the pupils were hooked by that!
  • Primark employee discussing travelling Europe, and she said being fluent in Spanish was vital for her to do her job so I think it made some of the pupils aware of how valuable learning a language can be.
  • TESOL from UCLAN (teaching English as a second language),
  • Arabic with Nadja L’Bakkari,
  • A representative from the Army

“The pupils are so engaged, they really do buy into it, asking a lot of questions and the relevance of languages to different jobs. There are a varied range of jobs to show the Year 9s. There is something to grab everyone’s attention. We also have good feedback saying how engaged the children were and how well-behaved they are”. Mrs Scully

Participants 2024

  • UCLAN World wise languages
  • UCLAN Confucius institute - Chinese
  • British Sign Language
  • Médecins Sans Frontières speaker – Marsha Matis
  • Pane e Vino Restaurateurs
  • Rebecca Benson – Lead teacher for MFL
  • Legal Translator Sarah Cutts
  • Teacher of Arabic
  • Lucy Booth, Translator NHS
  • Mr and Mrs Taylor Food and wine Connoisseurs

Make Languages Work Day 2024

Make Languages Work Day 2023

Post 16 Pathways and Progression 

All young people in England must continue in education or training until 18 years of age.  Young people have the following choices at the end of Year 11:

  • Full time study at a college, sixth form or training provider
  • Full time work or volunteering combined with part time education of training
  • An apprenticeship
  • A traineeship

As part of our careers programme, Year 11 students are provided with a one to one guidance interview with a qualified careers adviser. Parents are welcome to attend these meetings.

Students and parents of students in Year 7-11 can request a careers guidance interview by e-mailing t.smith@priory.lancs.sch.uk

Post-16 Education

Labour Market Information

Labour market information informs you about the local and/or national demand there is for different skills and from different industries. Labour market information can tell you:

  • Which jobs are likely to be easiest or hardest to find in your area
  • Which are the big employers in different areas and which ones have jobs on offer
  • What skills employers are looking for and which are in short supply
  • How much you can expect to be paid in specific jobs
  • What working conditions are like?
  • What qualifications will be most helpful if you want a certain career?
  • What the jobs of the future might look like and which jobs might disappear?

The Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub has developed and created a range of evidence-based reports and resources. The links to these can be found here:

2020 (Pre COVID-19) Lancashire Labour Market Intelligence Toolkit

The toolkit consists of seven reports based on defined geographical areas, just click to open the LMI report or LMI presentation you would like to know more of below:

LMI Reports

LMI Presentations

At Penwortham Priory Academy we have our own in-house independent Careers Adviser, Ms Smith. Ms Smith is Level 6 qualified to provide our pupils with the best advice, based on knowledge of individuals' character, attendance, academic progress and predictions. She is also able to access current academic data and attendance on all our systems, use our communications platforms to provide access to information for pupils and parents in a timely fashion.

Ms Smith holds one-to-one interviews with every pupil in readiness for KS4 to KS5 transition to discuss options and to plan for all eventualities. These interviews take place in the summer term of Year 10 through to January of Year 11 to ensure all Year 11 pupils are ready to apply for education or training. These interviews are documented and shared with the pupils via Teams Chat and with consent shared with parents by email and stored on internal systems to be accessed by relevant Priory staff where required. This storage allows us to retrieve the information for pupils and their parents, should the information be lost.

Pupils across the school and their parents can request advice and support at any time in their Priory journey by Teams Chat, email, telephone message or in person. Email contact can be made via t.smith@priory.lancs.sch.uk. As Ms Smith is based in school every day, this allows pupils to receive support in a timely manner rather than waiting for one specific day of the week.

Ms Smith is also our Level 6 qualified Careers Leader. Any information or any opportunities which come into school are advertised on a number of platforms. These include messaging individual pupils and parents, Teams year group posts, notices in assembly and via tutors, posts in the Priory Post newsletter.

In addition to the support detailed above, we also have a Careers Hub located in the Nucleus providing a range of printed resources including prospectuses and reference books. Prospectuses and College Open Event posters/flyers can also be located in the Year 10 and 11 Bistro. Each subject area has either a Careers Booklet Notice and/or a Careers Notice Board detailing future opportunities, the booklets can also be located in the 'Curriculum' areas of this website.

Ms Smith can provide invaluable guidance and support in pathways and career planning and development.

Pupils may arrange an appointment to discuss any of the following:

  • Career Guidance: Ms Smith can offer an insight into various career paths, industries, and job markets. She can help you identify your skills, interests, and values, and align them with suitable career options.
  • Exploration of Options: Ms Smith can introduce you to options you may not have considered. She can provide information on different career paths, and educational requirements.
  • Goal Setting and Planning: Ms Smith can assist you in setting realistic career goals and creating a strategic plan to achieve them. She can help you map out steps such as further education, skill development, networking, and job searching.
  • Application, CV and Interview Preparation: Ms Smith can offer guidance on crafting effective applications, CVs and cover letters tailored to specific job opportunities. She can also provide tips and practice for job interviews, helping you present yourself confidently to potential employers.
  • Networking Opportunities: Ms Smith has connections with employers, alumni networks, and industry professionals. She can facilitate networking opportunities that may assist with applications.
  • Personalised Support: Pupils each have individual and unique career aspirations and challenges. Ms Smith can provide personalised support, taking into account your individual circumstances, strengths, and areas for development.

Linking a future career to pupil interests is key to ensure pupils choose a career path they will enjoy and will lead to long-lasting fulfilment. 

Individual subject departmental plans for careers are detailed on the documents below.

CEIAG Departmental Plans

The documents below will help students and parents/guardians to decide which subjects to study in Year 10 and 11, as well as providing information about the curriculum as a whole.

Each subject is explained in greater detail in the Options booklet. Information should be read carefully and any questions can be directed accordingly to the subject teacher named on each page.

The decisions made at this point are important as they may affect the courses pupils wish to study once they have left Priory and may also influence future career aspirations.

The National Curriculum

All students study the following subjects in line with statutory guidance:

  • English Language
  • English Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Trilogy Science

Other Compulsory Courses

As part of the education of the whole student, as well as in preparation for life beyond school, all students follow non-exam courses in:

  • Physical Education and Games
  • RE
  • Personal, Social and Health Education
  • Citizenship
  • Careers Education and Work Experience

Our reference documents can be found here>> Year 9 Options

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