Careers Education (CEIAG)
Helping students explore future pathways and prepare for life beyond school.
Preparing Students for the Future
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) forms an important part of the curriculum at Westside.
Our programme is designed to help students:
Understand the world of work
Understand the world of work
Explore different career pathways
Make informed decisions about their next steps
Build confidence in their future ambitions
From Year 8 onwards, students begin to explore career opportunities and develop the skills they will need as they move towards post-16 education and employment.
Gatsby Benchmarks
Westside School’s careers programme follows the Gatsby Benchmarks, a nationally recognised framework for high-quality careers guidance.
The eight Gatsby Benchmarks ensure that students receive structured and meaningful careers support throughout their time at school.
These benchmarks include:
A Stable Careers Programme
Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
Addressing the Needs of Each Student
Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers
Encounters with Employers and Employees
Experiences of Workplaces
Encounters with Further and Higher Education
Personal Guidance
By following this framework, we ensure students receive the guidance and experiences needed to prepare for their future.
Work Experience and Employer Engagement
Experiencing the workplace helps students understand potential career pathways.
Westside works with employers and organisations to provide opportunities for students to engage with the world of work.
These opportunities may include:
Work experience placements
Employer talks and workshops
Industry visits and events
Networking opportunities with professionals
Through partnerships with organisations such as SPARK Charity and local employers, students gain valuable insight into different industries and career options.
Our Post-16 Pathways
As students approach the end of their time at Westside, we provide dedicated support to help them plan their next steps.
Students receive guidance on a range of post-16 pathways, including:
Further Education Colleges
Sixth Forms
Apprenticeships
Vocational Training Programmes
Our careers team supports students through the application process, helping them identify the options that best match their interests, strengths and ambitions.
Ongoing Support
Westside is committed to supporting students even after they leave the school.
Through the Westside Alumni Programme, former students can continue to receive guidance and support as they transition into further education and training.
This ongoing connection helps ensure students remain supported as they take the next steps in their educational and professional journeys.
Careers Information for Students
Students are encouraged to explore different career pathways and consider the opportunities available to them.
Through careers lessons, guidance sessions and external resources, students can:
Explore different industries and professions
Understand the skills required for different careers
Research education and training pathways
Develop skills for job applications and interviews
Our careers team works closely with students to help them identify their interests and plan their future.
Careers Information for Parents and Carers
Parents and carers play an important role in supporting young people as they make decisions about their future.
The careers section of the website provides resources to help families understand the options available after Year 11 and support their child in exploring potential career pathways.
We encourage families to discuss future ambitions together and make use of the information and resources available.
Provider Access
Westside School complies with the Baker Clause, ensuring that students have access to information from a wide range of education and training providers.
This allows students to learn about different technical qualifications, apprenticeships and training opportunities available after school.
Providers interested in engaging with Westside students can contact the school to discuss opportunities to participate in our careers programme.