Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)
At the City of London Academy Highbury Grove our goal is to provide our students with an academic experience that will provide them with the core behaviours and skills that will allow them to flourish in a rapidly changing world.
The Academy believes it is essential that young people have access to high quality and reliable careers information, advice and guidance and regular exposure to professionals from a wide range of industries.
We are committed to providing opportunities that can lead to employment for our young people by understanding their goals and supporting them to develop the skills they require.
The COLAHG Careers Department is working towards the Quality in Careers Award and implementing the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks of good careers practice:
- 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
- Experience of work places
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
The COLAHG Careers policy on CEIAG recognises and conforms to the statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education in October 2018.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Academy Careers Leader, Ms James (Associate Assistant Principal), can be contacted by email at ejames@highburygrove.cola.org.uk or by phone on 020 7288 8900 (Extension 277).
Mr Jones is the Lead for Careers Education within the PSHCE Curriculum.
Ms Kither is Head of Sixth Form and has oversight of all aspects of post-16 CEIAG, particularly the preparation of students for higher education or further training and employment post-18.
Staff attached to tutor groups support their students at times of transition such as support with GCSE option choices, sixth form applications and UCAS references.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend both the Year 9 and Year 11 Options Choices Evenings and assist students with this important decision-making process. We also encourage all parents and guardians of Sixth Form students to attend both the Introductory and the Sixth Form Progression Parents’ Evenings.
Careers Programme
| Year 7 | Students experience a transition week upon their arrival to Highbury Grove at the start of year 7 which focuses on aspirations, the year ahead and the subjects/enrichment opportunities available to them. In tutor time and assemblies they will participate in a celebration of National Careers Week as well as National Apprenticeship week. This will include exposure to employers and employees, and an introduction to the options available to them further in their education. |
| Year 8 | Year 8 students will receive a unit of work in PSHCE lessons on “Community and Careers” which examines careers and life choices, different types and patterns of work. In tutor time and assemblies they will participate in a celebration of National Careers Week as well as National Apprenticeship week. This will include exposure to employers and employees, and an introduction to the options available to them further in their education. |
| Year 9 | Year 9 students will receive a unit of work in PSHCE lessons on “Careers and Setting Goals” This will focus on learning strengths, career options and goal setting as part of the GCSE options process, employability and online presence. In tutor time and assemblies they will participate in a celebration of National Careers Week as well as National Apprenticeship week. This will include exposure to employers and employees, and an introduction to the options available to them further in their education. Additional tutor times and parents evenings are delivered to help year 9 students and parents understand the GCSE options process. |
| Year 10 | Year 10 students will receive a unit of work in PSHCE lessons on “Building for the Future.” This examines the value of work experience, preparing a job application, updating a CV and thinking about options after Year 11 In addition to a celebration of National Careers Week and National Apprenticeship week during tutor times, all year 10 students will attend our Highbury Grove Careers & Apprenticeships fair. In support of all year 10 students experiencing the world of work we provide: – 1:1 meeting with our work experience coordinator Mr Gomes – 1 week of work experience (14th-18th July) – Access to our careers/work experience platform Unifrog |
| Year 11 | Year 11 students will receive a unit of work in PSHCE lessons on “Building for the Future” which looks to develop skills in self-efficacy, stress management, future opportunities, application processes, skills for further education, employment and careers. In addition to a celebration of National Careers Week and National Apprenticeship week during tutor times, all year 11 students will attend our Highbury Grove Careers & Apprenticeships fair. We work closely with Islington council to provide impartial and individual careers guidance.In support of all year 11 students making informed choices for their next steps,we provide: – A 1:1 careers meeting – A careers guidance action plan – Additional tutor times and assemblies walking students through the sixth form application process – Access to our careers/work experience platform Unifrog |
| Year 12 | Year 12 students will receive a unit of work in PSHCE lessons on “Careers and POST 18 options.” This unit of work includes setting SMART targets and how to navigate University choices & applications. During PHSCE there will be a series of talks from employers and professionals, which includes a careers- mythbusting carousel provided by the Financial Services Skills Commission. In addition to a celebration of National Careers Week and National Apprenticeship Week, all year 12 students will attend our Highbury Grove Careers & Apprenticeships fair, as well as visit the UCAS exhibition at the excel centre During the Summer term, students take part in a programme of workshops including personal statement writing, Workshops on CV writing, UCAS applications and applications for apprenticeships, subject-specific HE advice, Personal Branding developing your CV, Networking for a job and interview skills in Year 12. All students will take part in work experience between the 14th-18th July. In support of making this as relevant, and meaningful as possible, we provide each student a 1:1 meeting with our work experience coordinator Mr Gomes, as well as full access to our careers/work experience platform Unifrog. Throughout their year, students are directed to work experience/ extra curricular opportunities that will help develop their skills and experience. These are published on the year 12 bulletin, and are additionally sent as push notifications on Unifrog. |
| Year 13 | During year 13, Careers is delivered as a integral part of the PHSCE program. “Building for the Future” continues from year 12, with a focus on UCAS personal statements, researching apprenticeships and Universities, Using Unifrog and target setting, student finance, budgeting. Students attend a series of talks from employers and professionals, delivered through our PHSCE and tutor program. This includes participation in National Careers Week, and National Apprenticeship Week. Throughout the year, tutors play a pivotal role supporting students to complete their applications for their next steps. Universities OPEN days will be regularly signposted through Unifrog, our careers platforms, as well as a trip taken to see a University. |
Within the curriculum, teachers provide opportunities for students to develop skills to assist them in their future education and in the workplace. These skills involve time management, reflection on strengths and areas for development, high levels of literacy and numeracy, flexibility and the ability to work effectively in a team. These contribute to successful CEIAG and opportunities for students to demonstrate these skills are embedded in all curriculum subjects.
The specific CEIAG curriculum is delivered largely by tutors through the PSHCE programme in Years 7-11 and in assemblies. In the Sixth Form, CEIAG is a core element of tutorial work and assembly sessions.
All students also have access to Unifrog which is punched in the autumn term.
Labour Market Information
Evaluation and monitoring of careers provision
When monitoring the success of the careers programme, the school considers formal and informal measures, qualitative and quantitative data and hard and soft outcomes for students. The impact of careers interventions is reviewed annually by the Careers Department and adjustments to the programme are made. The careers programme is evaluated in a number of ways, including:
- student feedback on their experience of the careers programme, including specific feedback on work experience and mock interviews, and the impact events have had on their career choices
- staff feedback on careers lessons and mock interviews
- gathering informal feedback from external partners, such as Inspire, and from parents
- quality assurance of careers lessons as part of the tutor time programme and PSHCE lessons
- student destination figures post-16 and post-18.
Information and Resources
The Careers library is based in the main library. It contains a small and up to date reference section and university prospectuses.
Below is a list of websites students may find useful when planning their careers and higher education. These websites also provide information that will enable parents and carers to support their children with decisions around their next steps.
These sites will be used in school and students will learn how best to use these resources.
| careerpilot | Your choices at 14, 16 and 18, routes to different qualifications and job sectors. Career tools to help you decide. | 11+ |
| careers service | National careers website with support on job profiles and applying for jobs | 11+ |
| find an apprenticeship | A wide range of UK apprenticeships of all levels are advertised on this website for students to apply to. | 15+ |
| unifrog | Students can research university and apprenticeship programmes, and access online short courses that will enhance their subject knowledge. This website also features a personal statement builder monitored by teachers. All year groups have a Unifrog account and have been emailed login information. | 15+ Ask your careers advisor for the school code |
| which university? | For students applying to university. | 16+ |
| ucas | Students applying to university. | 17+ |
Further information can be found in our Careers Policy and Provider Access Policy, available on our Policies page.
The Careers information published on our website, along with our Careers policy, is due to next be reviewed in September 2025.