Every student at our college has access to high‑quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). Careers learning is embedded across the curriculum and supported through personalised guidance, practical experiences, and meaningful encounters with employers and providers.

Our aim is to ensure every learner is prepared for adulthood, confident in their strengths, and equipped to make informed decisions about their future, and this information is reviewed annually.

Careers Lead: Russell Irving, College Lead: rirving@brentwood.trafford.sch.uk 

Our Careers Aims

We support students to:

• Recognise and develop their skills, strengths and aspirations

• Understand their pathways and future options, including employment, further study, supported internships and community participation

• Access accurate careers and labour market information

• Receive personalised guidance that reflects their needs, preferences and ambitions

• Experience real‑world environments that build work readiness, independence and transferable skills

Our approach is shaped by the Gatsby Benchmarks, and we continually review our provision using the Compass toolkit to ensure high standards and ongoing improvement.

 

What Students Can Expect

Students will experience a structured careers programme that includes:

• Careers learning built into curriculum sessions

• Encounters with employers, employees and industry specialists

• Visits to workplaces and opportunities for work experience

• Encounters with further education, higher education and training providers

• One‑to‑one careers guidance and support from the Careers Team

• Activities and information tailored to individual needs, communication styles and learning pathways

 

What Parents and Carers Can Expect

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting each student’s future planning. You can expect:

• Careers discussions to be included in the annual review

• Regular information about events, opportunities and work experience

• A named contact within the Careers Team

• Access to guidance reports and updates on your young person’s progress

• Clear information about pathways, next steps and transition planning

 

How Staff Support Careers Education

All staff contribute to our careers provision. This includes:

• Annual careers training and ongoing updates throughout the year

• Embedding careers learning into curriculum areas

• Supporting students during employer encounters, visits and work placements

• Working closely with the Careers Team to ensure consistent, high‑quality guidance

 

What Employers and Community Partners Can Expect

We welcome partnerships with employers who want to support young people preparing for adulthood. Employers can expect:

• Well‑prepared, enthusiastic students for work placements or project‑based activities

• Support from staff and job coaches throughout placements

• Opportunities to deliver talks, demonstrations or workshops

• A chance to help young people develop skills and explore career possibilities

Your involvement helps students gain confidence, understand workplace expectations and discover new interests.

 

Preparing for Adulthood

Our careers programme supports the wider Preparing for Adulthood outcomes, including:

• Employment skills – practical tasks, teamwork, communication, problem‑solving

• Independent living – routines, self‑management, healthy choices

• Community inclusion – accessing local opportunities and services

• Health and wellbeing – understanding emotions, relationships and personal safety

These themes are woven through curriculum sessions and real‑life experiences.

 

The Gatsby Benchmarks

Our careers programme is structured around the eight Gatsby Benchmarks:

1. A stable careers programme

2. Learning from career and labour market information

3. Addressing the needs of each learner

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

5. Encounters with employers and employees

6. Experiences of the workplace

7. Encounters with further and higher education

8. Personal guidance