At Harbour Vale School, we are committed to meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure every student receives high-quality careers education, information, advice, and guidance. These eight benchmarks provide a clear framework for delivering an outstanding careers programme that helps students make informed choices about their futures. From linking learning to real-world careers, to offering personal guidance and meaningful encounters with employers and higher education providers, we strive to prepare our students for success in the world beyond school. By embedding the Gatsby Benchmarks across all year groups, we aim to raise aspirations, broaden horizons, and equip every learner with the knowledge and confidence to achieve their ambitions.
Our Vision
We know that success looks different for everyone. Our goal is to help each student:
- Discover their strengths, interests, and ambitions.
- Gain the skills and qualifications needed for future opportunities.
- Explore a wide range of careers and training pathways.
- Make informed choices about their next steps.
Careers Guidance and Support
Every student has access to:
- One-to-one guidance with a qualified level 6 Careers Adviser.
- Personalised careers plans, linked to their aspirations and needs.
- Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) on post-16 pathways, including college, apprenticeships, and employment.
- Support with applications, CV writing, and interview preparation.
Work-Related Learning
We give our students the chance to experience the world of work through:
- Work experience placements with local employers.
- Visits to colleges, training providers, and workplaces.
- Guest speakers and workshops with professionals from different industries.
- Enterprise projects to develop teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Post-16 Pathways
When students leave us, they are supported to move on to:
- College courses
- Apprenticeships and traineeships
- Supported internships (where appropriate)
We maintain close links with local colleges, training providers, and employers to ensure our students have a smooth transition into their next stage.
Measuring Success
We track and review our careers programme regularly to make sure it meets the needs of our students. We follow the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Careers Guidance and are committed to helping every young person move into a positive destination after leaving Harbour Vale School.
If you would like more information about our careers programme, as a student, parent, teacher or employer please contact our Careers Lead, Charlotte Forni, via office@harbourvale.dorset.sch.uk
Links to colleges:
- Wiltshire College (Salisbury)
- Weymouth College
- Kingston Maurwood College
- Yeovil College
- Bournemouth and Poole College
Provider access legislation
The updated provider access legislation (PAL) has now been enacted. It specifies schools must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education for all their students:
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the school to put on but optional for pupils to attend
This new legislation will become a key mechanism to further help learners understand and take-up, not just apprenticeships, but wider technical education options such as T-Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.