Careers

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance at Hellesdon High School

At Hellesdon High School, we are committed to providing all students with a high-quality, comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme that supports them to make informed choices and successfully navigate their future learning and career pathways.

All students are entitled to a planned and progressive careers education programme from Year 7 through to Year 13. The programme is designed to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and values needed for lifelong learning, career development and personal success in a rapidly changing world.

Careers education is delivered through a wide range of learning experiences, including PSHRE lessons, the tutor programme, house assemblies and conferences, employer encounters, workplace experiences, and additional workshops and educational opportunities. This varied approach ensures that careers learning is meaningful, inclusive and relevant to all students.

A Strategic and Measured Approach

Our careers provision is underpinned by the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, which form the foundation of our Careers Strategy. The effectiveness of our programme is regularly evaluated using the Compass Careers Benchmark Tool, audited by the Careers and Enterprise Company. This process enables us to analyse our provision, identify areas for development and ensure continuous improvement in line with national best practice.

Hellesdon High School is also a proud member of the Norfolk and Suffolk Careers Hub, which provides additional support, guidance and collaboration opportunities to further strengthen our careers offer and ensure it meets the needs of our students within the local context.

An Inclusive and Aspirational Careers Programme

We are extremely proud of the Careers education and guidance that our students receive. At Hellesdon High School, there is no tension between academic achievement and personal development. We recognise the importance of educating students not only to achieve their potential academically, but also to develop the character traits, values and employability skills that will benefit them throughout their working lives.

While many students progress from Year 7 through to Year 13 and on to higher education, we place equal value on all post-16 and post-18 pathways. Through carefully planned careers delivery at key transition points—particularly in Years 11, 12 and 13—students are fully informed about the wide range of options available to them. These include further education, apprenticeships, training with independent providers, and direct entry into employment.

The CEIAG Curriculum

The CEIAG curriculum at Hellesdon High School is comprehensive and fully aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks. In Years 7 and 8, careers learning is embedded within PSHE lessons. In Years 9, 10 and 11, students receive dedicated careers lessons that support option choices, raise aspirations and promote access to all career pathways. In the Sixth Form, careers education is delivered through our Conference programme, and via targeted guidance in Years 12 and 13, preparing students for successful transitions to higher education, apprenticeships or employment.

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance is a core entitlement for every student at Hellesdon High School. Through a wide range of learning experiences and meaningful employer encounters, we help students understand how their curriculum learning connects to future career opportunities and empower them to make confident, well-informed decisions at key points in their lives.

We are passionate about working with employers, training providers and the wider community to enhance our careers provision. If you are able to support our programme or provide opportunities that could inspire and raise aspirations, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Our Careers Programme

Year 12

All Year 12 students receive an introduction to Unifrog, a digital platform designed to help students make more informed study and career choices at key moments of choice and transition.

Through our Conference programme, we engage with higher education providers who visit school to speak to students about university life, how to make the most of Year 12 and how to select the right course for them. That said, not all of our students wish to apply to university and we are active in introducing students to the many options available Post-18, whether that be apprenticeships or the world of work.

In addition, all students are given the opportunity to attend the Norfolk Higher Education Exhibition, organised by UCAS, to explore a wide range of academic and career opportunities in June of Year 12. Students will also attend a bespoke day for Hellesdon Sixth Form students at the University of East Anglia (UEA), and the Future Careers Expo, which aims to connect students with local employers.

As a member of the Higher Aspirations Scheme, Year 12 students also have the opportunity to attend visit days/workshops provided by a range of universities and employers, most recently Anglia Ruskin University, Queen Mary University of London, and Sizewell B.

Year 13

Year 13 Students are offered a wealth of support from their form tutor, Head of Year, and the Director of Sixth Form. Our twice-weekly form periods are a vital part of this, with form tutors offering individual support with Personal Statement writing and Post-18 decisions. Those choosing not to apply to university are given individual support and guidance by the Sixth Form team, and students are provided with a range of additional apprenticeship and work opportunities via the Google Classroom. Students who decide not to apply to university will also attend the Future Careers Expo, which aims to connect students with local employers. All students are encouraged to meet with our Careers Advisor.

The Sixth Form Team are also on hand both on and after A-Level Results Day to provide additional support for students to ensure the successful transition from Hellesdon Sixth Form to their Post-18 pathway.

Our Careers Team

Mrs Victoria English
Careers Leader
As Careers Leader, Mrs English holds strategic oversight of Careers across the curriculum, Careers Guidance, Higher Education Advice and Work Experience across the school.

Mrs Rosie Warnock
Mrs Warnock's role is to provide impartial information, advice and guidance, supporting our students to make appropriate choices about their education, training and work. She is qualified to Level 6 in Careers Guidance.

One to One Guidance

All students are entitled to one to one guidance during their time at Hellesdon High School. You can get help and advice about your future at any time while you are in school. Whether this be for help with your choices after GCSE/ 6^th Form, work experience or advice during the options process. Parents are also able to access support for their son/daughter using the same processes.

Mrs Warnock is in school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during term time and can be contacted by emailing her on: rwarnock9nr2@nsix.org.uk or students may ask their tutor to make an appointment on their behalf.

Post-18 Pathways

There are five main pathways that students might consider once they have completed their A-level/BTEC studies:

Higher Education – University
Apprenticeships (including Degree Apprenticeships)
Employment
GAP Year
Further Education – College

Please see the booklet below for further guidance:

post 18 options booklet

T-Levels and Apprenticeship Guides

T-Levels - Parent/Carers Guide	What are the T-Levels?
End Point Assessment Explained	What is an Apprenticeship?
Foundation Apprenticeships	Apprenticeship Levels Explained
What is a degree apprenticeship?	GCSE Grades Explained
How do I write a CV?	How to write a covering letter

Management of provider access requests

A provider wishing to request access should contact Mrs Victoria English
Tel: 01603 424711 / Email: venglish9brq@nsix.org.uk

We have Careers assemblies for individual year groups to facilitate students’ knowledge of available pathways. If a provider would like more information on this please contact the careers leader.

Norfolk Labour Market

Do you wonder what work will be like as you get older and the types of jobs on offer?

Researching the labour market can help you to plan your future career.

When people use the term ‘labour market’ they’re usually talking about job opportunities and the people available for work. Labour Market Information (LMI) can tell you the number of people working in different jobs, how much they earn, what’s likely to happen to those jobs over the next few years, and more.

In Norfolk, we can expect these sectors to grow: