Careers and Preparing for Adulthood

At Castle School, we deliver a varied, personalised, and dynamic Careers Programme that aligns closely with the Preparation for Adulthood agenda. Through this programme, we provide tailored information, advice, and guidance to support students and their families as they explore further education, employment, training, and a wide range of post-school opportunities.

While careers education is a key element of our offer, we place equal emphasis on all strands of the Preparation for Adulthood framework. Our holistic approach ensures that every learner is equipped not only for their next steps in education or work, but also to thrive confidently and independently within their wider community when they leave Castle School.

The aims of our Careers Programme

Build a sustainable and adaptable careers strategy based on the Preparation for Adulthood agenda, that is regularly reviewed and updated.
Develop holistic provision that links to individual needs, interests, skills and learning pathways, giving pupils opportunities to try and experience a range of new and exciting activities that link to post-school provision.
Develop pupils’ communication and social skills so that they have the confidence to access services and provision post school.
To make sure pupils and their families have access to good, relevant and timely information so that they can make informed choices about their route post school.

Castle School Careers lead is Anne Haberfield you can contact her via email on ahaberfield@castle.cambs.sch.uk

Employer engagement.

Please see below for our provider access statement.

We have established and continue to grow strong partnerships with a wide range of local employers, companies, and charities. These collaborations play a key role in meeting the new Gatsby Benchmarks, providing our students with high-quality employer encounters, meaningful work experience placements, and well-supported pathways into employment, supported employment or volunteering.

Our partners also contribute to students’ understanding of the world of work by sharing accessible literature and focused activities about their organisations and by attending our Opportunities events, ensuring that relevant learners have access to up-to-date, aspirational, and realistic information about their future options.

If you are an employer or charity that is interested in supporting our pupils, please contact Claire Laidler claidler@castle.cambs.sch.uk for further details.

Further support

Additional information, advice and guidance on education, training and employment for students at Castle School is provided by the Additional Needs Pathway Adviser. Angie Vickery is attached to our school, you can contact her via Tel: 07469377540 or Email: angie.vickery@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

She is available for advice and guidance, supports sessions in school and attends Annual Reviews. She will work with young people through to their 25th birthday.

There are also two useful documents that give details of opportunities available to students when they leave Castle School. They can be found using the links below.

Moving on https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/Moving-On-Booklet.pdf

Moving into work https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/moving-on-into-work-guide.pdf

Key documents from Cambridgeshire County Council:

Preparing for Adulthood Event

In October, we hold an ‘Opportunities’ Event with representatives from external agencies such as:

Colleges.
The Preparing for Adulthood Additional Needs Team.
Work-based learning providers.
Charity groups.

This provides parents and families of our students in Year 9 and above with the chance to meet and discuss transition opportunities. Our Local Area Advisers are listed below:

Angie Vickery – Additional Needs Pathway Co-ordinator

Telephone No: 01223 728145
email: Angie.Vickery@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Box No: BH1103
Babbage House,
Castle Park,
Cambridge,
CB3 0AT