Careers Programme

Let your light shine – Preparing for bright futures through SHINE

At Bury Church, our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme is an integral part of our SHINE Curriculum, sitting within the strand of Personal Development and Living in the Wider World. Careers education is not delivered as a stand-alone subject but is embedded across the SHINE framework, interwoven through lessons, enrichment, and pastoral experiences to ensure that every student is fully prepared for life beyond school.

Our Vision

We believe that all students should leave Bury Church as confident, responsible and resilient young people who have developed the knowledge, skills, and character to make informed and aspirational decisions about their futures.

Our stable careers programme is designed to:

• Inspire ambition and lifelong learning;

• Provide access to impartial information and advice;

• Develop employability and transferable skills;

• Promote inclusion, equality, and opportunity for all learners, including SEND and vulnerable pupils;

• Strengthen community engagement and social responsibility through Action for Change projects.

  Careers in the Curriculum (Gatsby Benchmark 4)

  Careers education is embedded throughout the curriculum. Each subject identifies links between learning and real-world applications, highlighting how classroom knowledge connects to future career pathways.

  Examples include:

  • Science: links to healthcare, engineering and environmental careers

  • English: journalism, publishing and marketing

  • Geography: sustainability, planning and environmental management

  • Maths: business finance and data analysis

  • PE: leadership, coaching and sport science

  Every term, a Careers in the Curriculum Week reinforces these connections through lessons, displays, guest speakers and employer encounters.

  Experiential and Enrichment Opportunities

  Career learning extends beyond lessons through hands-on, real-world experiences, including:

  • Be safe be cool (Year 8) – employer-led workshops across sectors

  • Annual Careers Fair (All year Groups) – colleges, universities, apprenticeship providers and employers

  • Work Experience (Year 10) – supported placements, including in-school and external opportunities

  • University Visits and Employer Encounters (Years 9-10) 

  • Social Action and Enterprise Projects (SHINE – Action for Change Year 7-11) – developing leadership, teamwork, and community engagement

  These activities develop key employability skills – communication, problem-solving, teamwork and resilience – that are central to the SHINE values of Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience.

  Inclusive Careers Education for All

  We ensure that every student, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), can access personalised guidance and meaningful career experiences. Adapted resources, supported placements, and tailored one-to-one sessions ensure equity of opportunity and smooth transitions to post-16 destinations.

  At Bury Church, we also offer an Enhanced Transition Programme for identified students who require additional preparation for post-16 pathways.

  This includes:

  • Individual transition planning meetings involving parents, the SENCo, and the Careers Adviser.

  • Early college visits and supported taster days to familiarise students with new environments.

  • Collaborative planning with post-16 providers to ensure continuity of support and appropriate adjustments.

  • Step-by-step guidance on applications, interviews, and travel planning to promote confidence and independence.

  This enhanced support ensures that all learners, regardless of need or circumstance, are well prepared, confident, and supported in making successful and sustained transitions into further education, training, or employment.

  Partnerships and Employer Engagement                (Gatsby Benchmarks 5–7)

  Our strong links with local employers, apprenticeship providers, further and higher education institutions, and community organisations bring the world of work directly into school. Partners contribute to workshops, mentoring, work experience, and the annual careers fair.

  Parents are actively involved through newsletters, briefings, and invitations to events, supporting students’ future planning at every stage.

  Personal Guidance and Impact                                    (Gatsby Benchmark 8)

  All students receive impartial one-to-one careers interviews with a qualified adviser in Year 11 (and earlier for targeted pupils).
  Impact is monitored through:

  • Student reflection and portfolio evidence within SHINE lessons;

  • Start, mid, and end-of-year surveys;

  • NEET tracking for three years post-GCSE;

  • Regular evaluation with student and parent feedback.

  This ensures our careers programme remains responsive, inclusive and effective.