Careers Information, Advice and Guidance
At Barking Abbey School we aim to ensure that all our students have excellent advice on career opportunities, as well as a careers programme that enriches their understanding of the world around them and the different career pathways available to them. We want all students to progress onto courses or employment that fulfil their aspirations when they leave our school or sixth form. These opportunities are intended to prepare students for the next stage of their development, and to enable them to take the next step in their career journey.
We support all students in making good decisions by providing access to information and guidance about the range of careers options that are most likely to help students to achieve their goals. We believe that giving students the best careers education and guidance is key to helping them to achieve and be successful in life beyond school.
All students are entitled to a Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme that:
- Provides good quality careers advice
- Provides personal advice and guidance which is in the best interests of all students
- Motivates students to achieve good grades and consider all the careers options available to them
- Provide opportunities to work with employers, local colleges and others
- Provides opportunities to have real-life contact with the world of work
- Develops employability skills including skills for self-employment
- Supports equality and inclusion
- Helps students to see career development as a life-long process
- Develop students’ skills and knowledge of careers including career management skills and knowledge of the local labour market (LMI)
- Ensures students are aware of the full range of routes available at each stage in their lives
- Provides opportunities for contact with employees, employers, colleges and universities and experience of workplaces
- Is contained within all subjects across the curriculum
There are eight Gatsby benchmarks that are a nationally recognised framework of 8 guidelines which outline what makes the best careers provision in schools of Good Career Guidance. These benchmarks are:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
We use the Gatsby benchmarks when designing and evaluating our careers programme.
The Careers Department
The Careers Department is staffed by two professionally trained Careers Guidance Advisers who job-share the role of Careers Coordinator/Adviser: Mrs N Jarvis and Mrs L Glendinning.
If a student needs careers advice or support, they can contact jarvisn@barkingabbeyschool.co.uk or glendinningl@barkingabbeschool.co.uk, who can provide students with a careers interview, and offer them the guidance and support needed to make considered choices for the next stage of their development.
The Designated SLT Line Manager to Careers is Stephen Madigan, Director of Aspiration with the responsibility of careers: madigans@barkingabbeyschool.co.uk
0203 967 8201
Careers policy
The Barking Abbey School careers policy can be found in the key policies section of the school website, which can be found by clicking here.
Unifrog
The school is currently in the process of introducing Unifrog to year 12 students, with the intention of giving all students from years 7 through to year 13 access to the careers platform. There will be a phased rollout of this platform, starting with year 12, and working backwards with each year group at time.
Unifrog is a complete destinations platform, that helps students compare every career opportunity, then apply successfully. They also aim empower teachers and counsellors to manage the progression process effectively. More information can be found here: https://www.unifrog.org/
Useful Resources
The Sixth Formers' Guide to Degree Apprenticeships 2024-2025
UCAS – Further Education – Sixth form, college and apprenticeships
Find an Apprenticeship – Government website for apprenticeships in England
Informed Choices (Russell Group) – Use Informed Choices to help you understand which subjects open up different degrees, particularly at Russell Group universities.
National Careers Website Speak to an adviser by calling 0800 100 900
