Hastings has a named Careers Lead (Graeme Bonser), supported by SLT and a named Governor and LLEP link. We are also supported by an Enterprise Advisor from local industry in developing our careers provision. We value the importance of careers education highly and see it as an essential part of educational development. Careers activities are embedded into the pastoral curriculum and careers has a focus within the schools line management systems. Staff and Governors are updated with key information, such as LMI and other careers related developments.

Students should be aware of and parents be encouraged to  have an awareness of local employment trends both locally and nationally in both the shorter and longer terms. Understanding of Labour Market Information (LMI) is key in making employment and career decisions in relation to employment prospects and job security in the future. More information about local LMI can be found here  . 

Pupils have different career guidance needs at different stages of their education and at Hastings we provide opportunities for advice and support tailored to the needs of each pupil. We record and track students career interests and engagement from Years 7-11 and ensure that all are on an appropriate pathway at 16. Hastings careers programme embeds equality and diversity considerations throughout.

Every pupil has the opportunity to learn how their different subjects help people to gain entry to, and be more effective workers within, a wide range of careers. Through quality first teaching, students appreciate the diverse range of employment opportunities available, and are provided with the opportunity to develop key employability skills based upon the skillsbuilder framework. 

We aim to bring the curriculum to life through  engagement with local employers and educational links through talks, events and visits. We provide increased focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) subjects provision with a view in raising awareness of both employment opportunity and reducing gender inequality and stereotyping in these subject areas. 

All students incomplete a work experience placement in the summer term of Year 10*. We have a good network of local employers who are willing to host Hastings pupils for the week. Unlike many other schools, we encourage pupils to identify and self arrange their own work experience placement, developing key employability skills further and ensuring they undertake a meaningful and worthwhile experience.

*In 2021, Year 10 students had the opportunity to attend a traditional work experience placement with a family member, or complete a virtual placement developed by the  school. In 2022, all students are encouraged to  complete a work placement in the summer term.

We ensure that all  pupils understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them after they leave us in Year 11. These include understanding of both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace. 

We ensure that all students have a Careers guidance meeting before they leave us in year 11. We employ a fully qualified level 6 careers guidance counsellor at key transition points in year 9 and 11, and offer careers meetings upon request throughout the year. Students can also request 1:1 guidance via the Unifrog careers platform all students have access to.   

Both Pupil premium and SEND students are monitored closely to ensure they are fully supported in making the correct careers decisions. In Year 10 students are offered an additional careers guidance meeting and SEN students receive input during review meetings.