Careers and Destinations
In 2024, 100% of our Year 11 pupils progressed into Further Education, including South Devon College, Bicton College and Eat That Frog.
Our Careers Team
The Careers Leader at Brunel School is Helen Raddon.
Helen can be contacted for further information about the careers programme at Brunel School using the details below:
T: 01803 665522
We work closely with Careers South West as part of our careers programme. Our advisor is Darren Baker and he can be contacted using the details below:
E: darren.baker@cswgroup.org.uk
Careers Guidance at Brunel School
Brunel School seeks to maximise the life chances of all our young people, in line with our core value of aspiration. We recognise that it is crucial to prepare young people for life beyond school and college. We seek to unleash greatness through high aspirations for our pupils, so they leave us prepared for life in modern Britain and the wider world. We work to instil belief in our pupils so they can progress and succeed in education, training and employment.
Careers Programme
Careers Programme Details of our careers programme for the current academic year can be viewed in the pdf below. Our careers programme is reviewed and updated annually to reflect best practice and to respond to the needs of our pupils. Our careers policy can be found by visiting the policies page of our website.
Building Our Futures
The Building Our Futures programme encompasses all elements of the careers information, education, advice and guidance available to our students during their time at Brunel School. The programme booklet below provides every student with key information as well as a space to record and keep the outcomes of the careers activities they participate in.
Measuring Impact
The school assesses the impact of its careers programme on pupils by completing an annual pupil survey and analysing pupil engagement with the activities they have undertaken as part of their careers education. The views of pupils will be surveyed at key points during the year as part of Advocacy Week. We work in partnership with our careers hub, Heart of the South West, to review our progress against the annual careers action plan on a half termly basis. Our analysis is supported through use of Morrisby Careers and Morrisby Tracker.
FE/Training Provider Access
Brunel School believes in giving FE, HE and training providers the opportunity to talk to pupils at the school. Details can be found in our Provider Access Policy.
Matrix Standard
The Matrix Standard is the Department for Education’s (DfE) standard for ensuring the quality of the delivery of high-quality information, advice and guidance. Brunel School undertook the matrix quality standard assessment for information advice and guidance services and has demonstrated that it meets all criteria of the matrix standard, with a clear focus on support provided to individuals to progress towards their academic and career goals.
Gatsby Benchmarks at Brunel School
At Brunel School, we are dedicated to nurturing and empowering our pupils to flourish academically, emotionally, and socially. As part of our commitment to this mission, we align our careers guidance with the Gatsby Benchmarks, which provide a framework for delivering effective careers education and guidance. This work is also delivered as supporting preparation for adulthood.
What are the Gatsby Benchmarks?
The Gatsby Benchmarks are eight guidelines that define the best careers provision in schools. They were developed by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and are designed to help schools improve their careers guidance and ensure that all pupils receive the support they need to make informed decisions about their futures.
Our Commitment to the Gatsby Benchmarks
Brunel School is committed to implementing the Gatsby Benchmarks effectively. Below is an overview of how we meet each benchmark:
- A Stable Careers Programme
We have a well-structured careers programme that is regularly reviewed and updated to meet the needs of our pupils. This is completed within PSHE in Lower School and via Citizenship, PSHE and Digital Workplace Skills in Upper School. - Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
We provide pupils with access to comprehensive careers information to help them understand their options. We look at this through a market led and future focused lens to ensure pupils are prepared for the future. - Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil
Our careers guidance is tailored to meet the individual needs of each pupil, ensuring they receive personalised support. This guidance is provided in line with pupil voice within EHCPs and Annual Review Processes - Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers
We integrate careers education into the curriculum, helping pupils understand the relevance of their studies to future career opportunities. - Encounters with Employers and Employees
We facilitate regular encounters with employers and employees, allowing pupils to gain insights into the world of work. It is hoped that Brunel will be able to offer Supported Internships in the coming year for our post-16 pupils. - Experiences of Workplaces
We provide opportunities for pupils to experience workplaces through work placements and visits, enhancing their understanding of different career paths. Our vocational pathways provide insight into the skills and knowledge required in the workplace. - Encounters with Further Education
We encourage pupils to explore further and higher education options through visits to colleges, as well as talks and visits from representatives of our link colleges. We invite past pupils into school to share their experiences and provide motivation and aspiration. - Personal Guidance
Our pupils have access to personal guidance from qualified careers advisors, ensuring they receive professional support in their decision-making processes. This is currently provided through CSW.
Implementation and Review
We continuously evaluate our careers programme to ensure it remains effective and relevant. Feedback from pupils, parents, and staff is integral to this process, and we are committed to making improvements based on this feedback.
Contact Information
For more information about our careers guidance and the Gatsby Benchmarks at Brunel School, please contact:
- Careers Lead: Helen Raddon
- Email: hraddon@brunelschool.org
- Telephone: 01803 665522
Useful Information
The following websites may be of interest to pupils and parents:
Student Padlet - Student Padlet has up to date information about post-16 options, pathways and opportunities. Please contact our careers lead (as above) for further details.
National Careers Service - a comprehensive careers website with job profiles, outlining: the skills required, main tasks, pay levels and career prospects for hundreds of different jobs. There is also guidance on the different stages in getting a job.
Amazing Apprenticeships - A website with up to date information about what an apprenticeship is, whether it is right for you, how they work and how to go about getting one. Lots of information and support for pupils and parents/carers if this is an area of interest.
Career Pilot - Comprehensive information about the jobs market in the South West. Contains information on the main employment sectors, job salaries, relevant subject areas, top employers and types of apprenticeships.
Icould - A site with lots of helpful videos covering a wide range of job roles. Real people tell their stories to help you understand different jobs and how to build your career.
South Devon College - South Devon College is a key provider for post-16 education and training in Torbay. This site has information about the wide range of courses available, entry requirements and details of how to apply. Open days are held throughout the year, with details on the site