Careers

The Department for Education's updated statutory guidance reinforces the importance of high-quality careers education, underpinned by the Gatsby Benchmarks, to support all young people to make informed decisions and successful transitions into learning and work. The guidance from September 2026 places increased focus on the importance of careers education and experiences. The statutory guidance also underlines the importance of parental engagement.

Charles Darwin School is committed to:

• All students have dedicated careers lessons built into the PSHE/Personal development programme of lessons. Each year, year 7 have 4 careers lessons, years 8, 9 and 10 have 6 lessons and year 11 have 4 lessons. A specific programme of tutorials and seminars operates over years 12 and 13
• We work with the Education Development Trust and Careers Hub to provide us with independent careers advice and training, along with Local Market Information (LMI) regarding careers for students in the local area. 
• Students use www.unifrog.org careers programme to support learning about careers and post-16 destinations.
• The school is committed to working to the principles of Modern Work Experience (MWEX) where students have a range work related experiences of 5 days in key stage 3 and work placements in key stage 4 for 5 days.
• All students are taught how to construct a high quality CV and covering letter in year 10 in which they then apply for a range of mock jobs and have a mock job interview with local business leaders.
• encouraging all students to consider their career options from Year 7 through school and beyond, through well-structured tutor programmes
• ensuring that all students are knowledgeable about, and effective at, using the resources available to them in the careers library, on the school website and on-line, as well as providing up to date information about courses and events that are taking place locally and nationally
• encouraging all students  to develop decision making skills
• providing experience of the world of work through activities such as Mock Interviews, enrichment days and cross-curricular Work Relating Learning opportunities
• developing a careers programme which meets the needs of undecided students
• equipping all students for independent learning and lifelong learning
• providing students with impartial and independent careers advice and guidance careers@cdarwin.com
• taking part in events such as Skills London to provide our students with the information they need to build a personal career plan
• preparing students for university and the world of work by providing interview practice and support with writing personal statements and CVs.

All students will have a dedicated 1-to-1 careers interview with an independent level 6 accredited careers adviser. Students are then emailed an action plan and next steps. This largely takes place in key stage 4, with students on free school meals (pupil premium) and SEND students being prioritised and having more than one careers interview, where possible from year 9.

For further careers information please contact R Jones at: rjones@cds.lumero.org or 01959 574 043 ext: 1038

Next Review Date: July 2027