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CEIAG Programme 2026-2027

Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams CEIAG Programme 2026-2027

Approved: 17th June 2026    

Last reviewed on: 16th July 2026

Next review due by: July 2027

Policy Owner and Careers Leader: Mr D. Bull

Rationale and Vision

Our academy  is committed to ensuring all of our students have access to highly impartial careers advice and to a wide range of employers who can support them in considering their future options. To help us do this we align our CEIAG Plan to the Gatsby Benchmarks which have been explicitly referenced throughout the DfE’s Careers Strategy (December 2017) the Statutory Guidance for careers (May 2025) and aligns to the delivery of independent careers guidance to year 8-13 pupils in accordance with section 42A of the Education Act 1997. We also have a Provide Access Policy that focuses specifically on technical qualifications and apprenticeships that is available in our “policies” section.

 The 8 Gatsby benchmarks are outlined below:

1. A stable careers programme

 2. Learning from career and labour market information

3. Addressing the needs of each student

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

5. Encounters with employers and employees

6. Experience of work places

7. Encounters with further and higher education

 8. Personal guidance

The vision for the development of CEIAG across our academy is to provide the very best opportunities to enable  our students to make informed and incisive decisions throughout, and beyond, their school life. By using the Gatsby benchmarks as a framework of best practice we have  a CEIAG programme that meets the needs of our ever changing cohort of students, providers and labour market landscape. Our plan promotes equality of opportunity, celebrates diversity and challenges stereotypes whilst inspiring, raising aspirations and giving our students an optimistic outlook on life and their place in the world of work.  We are always  guided by our Coop values:

Do what matters most

What matters most is ensuring that our students achieve the best possible outcomes.

Be yourself, always

We bring our best self to work, so that we each contribute a bit of our own unique Co-op difference, and respect others for doing the same.

Show you care

We care about our Co-op, our colleagues, our members, our students, their parents and communities, now and for the future.

Succeed together

Co-operating is what makes us different; we’re better and stronger when we work together.

Incorporate Co-op values

Intent

Our CEIAG programme is both  bespoke  and unique to our academy and is reviewed on an annual basis to meet our students needs based on our monitoring and evaluation processes.   We are committed to providing a  coherently planned and sequenced  programme  that reflects our academies context and core values. Our programme is designed  to entitle all learners to develop their  knowledge, skills, understanding and cultural capital they need to  go on to destinations that meet their aspirations and interests.  With this in mind we aim:

  • To provide impartial and independent advice for all pupils (Gatsby Benchmark 1 - 8)
  • To contribute to strategies for raising achievement, especially by increasing motivation, attitude to learning and attendance (Gatsby 3)
  • To support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity (Gatsby 3,4)
  • To encourage participation in continued learning including higher education, further education and apprenticeships (Gatsby 7,8)
  • To develop enterprise and employment skills (Gatsby 2,3)
  • To provide relevant information and understanding of the wide range of pathways and qualifications available to ensure students make the right choices regarding their post 16 / 18 options and hence reduce ‘drop out’ from and ‘course switching’ in education and training (Gatsby 3,5,6,7,8)
  • To contribute to the economic prosperity of individuals and communities (Gatsby 2,5,7)
  • To meet the needs of all our pupils through appropriate differentiation (Gatsby 3)
  • To focus students on their future aspirations and opportunities (Gatsby 3,4,8)
  • To involve parents and carers (Gatsby 1,2,5,6,7)
  • To support the raising of the participation age and assist with positive destinations for all pupils post 16, 17 and 18 (Gatsby 1,4,8)
  • To meet the needs of our current cohort of students across each year group (Gatsby 1,3)
  • To use current LMI to enable students, staff and parents to engage actively with local and national CEIAG information so that they can increase their knowledge and understanding about the world of work. (Gatsby 1,2,3)
  • To use student's parents, staff feedback to reflect on our current provision in order to develop our future CEIAG programme (Gatsby 1,2,3)
  • To provide additional support to specific vulnerable groups such as SEND and pupil premium (Gatsby 1-8)
  • All stakeholders have a clear understanding of CEIAG and rationale and vision (Gatsby 1)
  • To monitor and evaluate current provision in order to ensure our programme is quality assured in line with other curriculum areas  (Gatsby 1)
  • To share best practice with other Co-op academies at network events to ensure reflection and development of own programme (Gatsby 1)
  • To ensure all students actively engage with a CEIAG tracking platform to support them in making informed choices about their Career development plan (Gatsby 1,2,3)
  • To achieve / work towards a Quality in Careers award in recognition of all that our academy offers (Gatsby 1)

Implementation

Our programme is taught via bespoke activities, subject curriculum (PACE) and extracurricular activities, and a wide range of enrichment activities.

CEIAG is delivered by a wide range of providers such as our internal Careers Advisor,  teachers and support staff,  FE Colleges, Universities, visiting speakers, employers and employees.  This delivery includes bespoke workshops, assemblies, work visits, work experience, mock interviews , immersion days,careers fairs, step up days and via subject curriculum.  Our students are supported and encouraged to explore possible pathways they may take in the future, to ensure they have the very best start in life. Our staff receive regular CPD to support them in embedding employability skills into their subject areas.  Our parents can access our academy's website which provides clear links to a range of CEIAG related events and information about local market information (LMI) to  UCAS applications to  Apprenticeships.  Parents  are also encouraged to attend our CEIAG information evenings and parents evenings.

Year Group

Autumn Term 2026 (linked to BM)

Intended learning outcomes (linked to CDI LO)

7

  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Individual and personal ambition statements created in PACE lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • PACE curriculum careers lessons HT2 (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Guest speaker (1,2,3,4,5)
  • FSQ (Gatsby 1,3,8)
  • Family lunch careers discussion topics (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Subject specific careers links in curriculum (Gatsby 1, 2, 3, 4)
  • Careers Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Increase understanding of ambition and have all students explicitly identify their ambition and the steps to achieve their ambition.
  • Provide clear support on the use of the unifrog platform to increase the engagement.
  • Support enterprise and entrepreneurship
  • Discrete careers lessons focussed on an introduction to careers and identifying skills and personal interests.
  • Careers within our electives curriculum and explicit increase in offer of opportunities.
  • Increase ambition and motivation.
  • Exposure to further education in the area
  • Audit the careers programme
  • Promote discussion and critical thinking surrounding careers and ambition

8

  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • PACE curriculum careers lessons HT2 (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Guest speaker (1,2,3,4,5)
  • FSQ (Gatsby 1,3,8)
  • CV preparation (Gatsby 1,2, 3,4,5)
  • FSQ
  • REACH programme
  • Family lunch careers discussion topics (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)

  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Increase understanding of ambition and have all students explicitly identify their ambition and the steps to achieve their ambition.
  • Provide clear support on the use of the unifrog platform to increase the engagement.
  • Support enterprise and entrepreneurship
  • Discrete careers lessons focussed on an introduction to careers and identifying skills and personal interests.
  • Careers within our electives curriculum and explicit increase in offer of opportunities.
  • Increase ambition and motivation.
  • Build understanding of what is involved in a career in the media
  • Exposure to further education in the area
  • Audit the careers programme
  • Promote discussion and critical thinking surrounding careers and ambition

9

  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Visits to Universities (Gatsby 1,3,7)
  • FSQ
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Increase understanding of ambition and have all students explicitly identify their ambition and the steps to achieve their ambition.
  • Provide clear support on the use of the unifrog platform to increase the engagement.
  • Support enterprise and entrepreneurship
  • Discrete careers lessons focussed on an introduction to careers and identifying skills and personal interests.
  • Careers within our enrichment curriculum and explicit increase in offer of opportunities.
  • Increase ambition and motivation.
  • Exposure to further education in the area
  • Audit the careers programme
  • Promote discussion and critical thinking surrounding careers and ambition

10

11

Year Group

Spring Term 2026 (linked to BM)

Intended learning outcomes

7

  • Visits to Universities working with Higher Horizons (Gatsby 1,3,5,6,7)
  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • STEM activities (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Series of events for national apprenticeship week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national careers week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Apprenticeship speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Co-op Academies Trust Equalax Careers Booklet (Gatsby 1,3,4,8)
  • Higher Horizons Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,7,8)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Direct instruction briefings on key concepts to the whole school such as T levels and apprenticeships.
  • Exposure to a wide range of employers and education providers.
  • STEM visitor to provide support about careers in STEM
  • Raise the profile and understanding of apprenticeships across NAW
  • Raise the profile of careers and build on previous learning through events for NCW
  • Increase understanding of apprenticeships and allow students to consider as a pathway

8

  • Visits to Universities (Gatsby 1,3,7)
  • Co-op Academies Trust Equalax Project (Gatsby 1,3,4,8)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national apprenticeship week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national careers week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Apprenticeship speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Direct instruction briefings on key concepts to the whole school such as T levels and apprenticeships
  • Exposure to a wide range of employers and education providers.
  • STEM visitor to provide support about careers in STEM
  • Raise the profile and understanding of apprenticeships across NAW
  • Raise the profile of careers and build on previous learning through events for NCW
  • Increase understanding of apprenticeships and allow students to consider as a pathway

9

  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national apprenticeship week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Series of events for national careers week (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Career Conference (Gatsby 1,2,3,5,7,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Y9 internal taster sessions prior to options  (Gatsby 1,3,4)
  • Apprenticeship speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Careers links made through options process (Gatsby 1,3,7)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Direct instruction briefings on key concepts to the whole school such as T levels and apprenticeships.
  • Ensure students make options choices while taking into consideration careers
  • Exposure to a wide range of employers and education providers.
  • Raise the profile and understanding of apprenticeships across NAW
  • Raise the profile of careers and build on previous learning through events for NCW
  • Increase understanding of apprenticeships and allow students to consider as a pathway
  • Ensure students make well informed options choices

10

11

Year Group

Summer Term 2026 (linked to BM)

Intended learning outcomes

7

  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • T levels speaker visit (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Local college speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • PACE curriculum careers and citizenship (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Provide explicit links of careers to the curriculum
  • Deepen understanding of T levels.
  • Deepen understanding of local college offer
  • Deepen understanding of money management and the system of law in the UK

8

  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Local college speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Access to Unifrog to support students in creating an individual Career Development Plan. Chromebook provided.  (Gatsby 1, 2, 3)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Provide explicit links of careers to the curriculum
  • Deepen understanding of T levels.
  • Deepen understanding of local college offer
  • Deepen understanding of money management and the system of law in the UK
  • Deepen knowledge of local college offer

9

  • Unifrog PHSE & Careers Lessons (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,8)
  • Careers standing assemblies (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Electives careers links made (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Visits to Universities (Gatsby 1,3,7)
  • T levels speaker visit (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • Local college speaker (Gatsby 1,2,3,5)
  • 1 day Work Experience Placement (Gatsby 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
  • Provide all students with access to LMI, self assessment skills, careers and subjects library.
  • Provide explicit links of careers to the curriculum
  • Deepen understanding of T levels.
  • Deepen understanding of local college offer
  • Deepen understanding of money management and the system of law in the UK
  • Deepen knowledge of local college offer
  • Build employability skills and build award for CV and job applications

10

11

Additional Provision

Our CEIAG programme is designed to address the diverse needs of our student body, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable students, including those who are disadvantaged and those with SEND. Recognising the unique challenges these students may face, our programme is designed to create an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters their personal and professional development and raises ambition. We prioritise early intervention strategies, tailored resources, and individualised support to ensure equitable access to career-related information and opportunities.

Trust Programmes

As part of the Co-op Academies Trust, Co-op Academy Florence takes part in two careers based programmes. A group of year eight students take part in the REACH programme focussed on raising aspirations and a group of students complete the Envision programme based on empowering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop essential skills and confidence through tackling social issues affecting their community. Groups are selected to represent or overrepresent vulnerable and disadvantaged groups proportionately.

  • Staff will receive;
  • Annual updates on LMI (Gatsby 1,3,4,5)
  • Annual feedback on Compass (Gatsby 1)
  • Directed time to develop CEIAG in the curriculum (Gatsby 1,2,3,4,5,7)
  • PACE curriculum reviews (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Subject curriculum reviews (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Wider opportunities linking to CEIAG (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)
  • Careers resourcing and curriculum mapping (Gatsby 1,2,3,4)

Impact 

Measuring the impact of our CEIAG programme supports us to regularly develop it to know that we are making a positive and empowering difference. We value quantitative and qualitative feedback from all stakeholders and ensure our evaluations lead to improvements in our future planning. We undertake internal and external quality assurance to ensure our intent and implementation is in-line with our expectations. We measure impact in the following ways:

  • Tracking of Compass over time
  • Tracking engagement and progress with Unifrog
  • Feedback and evaluation for all events, both quantitative and qualitative
  • Increase in attendance / reduction in PA over time
  • Student and staff voice
  • Levels of employer engagement
  • Levels of education provider engagement
  • Knowledge Expert assessment data
  • NEET figures when available

Additional Information: Visit the careers section on our website for further and additional information

Useful websites

Universities

https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/new-ucas-hub-encourages-students-shoot-stars (New Hub that has replaced UCAS progress)

 www.russell group.ac.uk  (represents 24 leading universities, source of careers information & advice including ‘informed choices’ a downloadable guide to making post 16 choices)

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance    (Student finance)

https://universitycompare.com/    (comparing different universities)

https://universitycompare.com/rankings/   (University rankings)

https://www.unitasterdays.com/  (A directory of university events for school groups and individual students._

Apprenticeships

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship 

https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships-in-the-uk

 https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/apprenticeships

https://allaboutapprenticeships.co.uk/ 

https://amazingapprenticeships.com/ 

https://careerfinder.ucas.com/jobs/apprenticeship/ 

Careers Games

 https://panjango.com/pages/panjango-online

 https://icould.com/buzz-quiz/

Which Animal Are You? In under five minutes, discover:  your strengths and what makes you tick  / what you're like as a boyfriend or girlfriend /  which celebrities share your personality type. There are 16 possible results, each connected to an animal

Online platforms

www.startprofile.com

www.unifrog.org

www.cascaid.co.uk/xello/

www.grofar.com

Labour Market Information (LMI)

https://www.lmiforall.org.uk/

Stoke

https://lhs.ttlt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/07/Stoke-on-Trent-and-StaffordshireApril-2019-LMI-Report.pdf 

Other

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/  (provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work)

https://www.careersbox.co.uk/     (A great source of up to the minute job profile films)

https://icould.com/     (Career videos to find out about a wide range of careers and opportunities. Take the Buzz Quiz – it’s great fun!)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-of-the-future   (what does the future hold!)

https://successatschool.org/ 

Success at School is the place for young people to explore careers, get the lowdown on top employers, and search for the latest jobs, courses and advice. Get career smart and Register today! Success at school have highlighted some of the different careers that are helping us through the current crisis.

https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/  (opportunities if you decide university is not for you)

https://uk.job-applications.com/   (has useful videos, demonstrating how to complete the online applications for many top companies in the UK, as well as providing detailed information on salaries and interviews. Applications forms can be printed off directly from this site.)

http://www.talkingjobs.net/    (An online video player that delivers a series of career case studies)

https://www.skillsbuilder.org/homelearning

Everyone needs eight essential skills to succeed - whatever their path in life. Skills builder provides a range of resources for building these skills in a home setting - all underpinned by the Skills Builder Framework. Resources are available for learners aged 4 to 20+.

https://www.thewowshow.org/students/

The WOW Show (World of Work) - The WOW Show is a live online channel creating real-life encounters with the world of work to inspire young people about their futures. Have a look at some of the recordings and find out about any careers you are considering for your future.

https://fledglink.com/

This free app for students aged 13+ allows students to complete a digital CV and matches them with jobs, apprenticeships and other suitable opportunities.

https://www.speakersforschools.org/experience-2/vwex/

Speakers for schools - virtual work experiences Working with over 50 leading employers across industries, this offers students the chance to apply for interactive, high impact placements, through a safeguarded application portal and platform. During placements, students interact with employers, complete real work projects and work together to gain industry insights and skills.

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Careers in Health Professions – Make a difference with a career in health. Get all the information you need to take the next step in your career. Health professions have been highlighted during the Coronavirus pandemic and demand is expected to increase. There are hundreds of types of careers in health available so it is definitely worth consideration. The NHS employs around 1.5 million people and there are over 350 roles to choose from, not just a doctor or a nurse! You can see a list of the careers available here: stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/careers and you can compare the many varied careers available here: healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/compare-roles

Parents

https://targetcareers.co.uk/parents-and-teachers

https://careerready.org.uk/parents

https://www.careeralchemy.co.uk/choosing-career-paths.html

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