SMITHILLS CAREERS

Measurements and Impact of the Careers Programme on Pupils

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At Smithills High School, we are committed to ensuring that our careers programme has a positive and lasting impact on the futures of all our pupils. We regularly assess and measure the effectiveness of our careers provision to ensure it meets the needs of every student, prepares them for the world of work, and supports their long-term career aspirations.

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1. Student Feedback and Engagement

• Surveys and Questionnaires: Regular feedback from students through surveys and questionnaires is collected following careers events, workshops, or individual sessions. These provide valuable insights into students’ experiences, their confidence levels, and how well the programme meets their needs.

• Focus Groups: Pupils are invited to participate in focus groups to discuss the relevance of the careers programme, areas for improvement, and what they have learned. This helps us to identify strengths and gaps in provision.

• Alumni – We hold destinations and progressions and display around the school Images and destinations, career choices, and pathways of many Pupils and hold workshops with past pupils delivering sessions and discussing their success stories 

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2. Tracking and Monitoring Progress

• Career Action Plans: All pupils have access to individual career planning sessions where their aspirations, skills, and next steps are discussed. Progress is tracked annually, and adjustments are made based on feedback and evolving goals.

• Destinations Data: We track the post-school destinations of our pupils, such as further education, apprenticeships, or employment. This helps us measure how effective our careers programme is in guiding students to appropriate, successful pathways.

• Destination Statistics: The school tracks how many students transition into their desired post-school pathways (e.g., higher education, apprenticeships, employment). We report on these statistics as part of our annual review.

• Neets – We hold the lowest Neet figures across Bolton schools as Connections complete home visits of non-attenders and support and guide them into Further Education & Employment 

• Impact – Over the past 5 years, Smithills High pupils have applied to more colleges across various destinations, matching their career paths and choices with suitable FE providers 

• IAG – All pupils in Year 10 & 11 have a 1:1 Impartial information, Advice and Guidance session with Connections advisor weekly 

3. Curriculum Integration

• Curriculum Mapping: Our careers programme is embedded into the wider curriculum, with specific links to subjects such as Maths, Science, and English, as well as PSHE and personal development sessions. We assess how well these links help students connect what they are learning to potential career opportunities.

• Employer Engagement: The number and variety of employers, industry professionals, and higher education representatives involved in the programme are carefully monitored. Feedback from employers on the preparedness of students for work or further study is also recorded and used to inform improvements.

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4. Review and Evaluation

• Annual Review: At the end of each academic year, the careers programme is reviewed by senior leadership and the careers lead. We consider feedback from students, staff, and external partners, as well as data on destinations and progress towards set objectives.

• External Evaluations: We invite external careers specialists to evaluate the programme, ensuring that we are adhering to best practice and meeting national standards for careers education and guidance.

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5. Parental and Stakeholder Involvement

• Parental Feedback: We actively engage parents and guardians in the career development of their children through regular updates and career-focused events. Parental feedback is gathered through surveys and parent evenings, which is used to shape the programme.

• Employer Partnerships: We collaborate with local employers and training providers to offer real-world insights and work-based learning opportunities. Employer feedback and student engagement levels are assessed to ensure strong and meaningful partnerships.

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6. Continuous Improvement and Adjustments

• Based on the feedback from students, staff, and external partners, we continuously adjust and improve our careers programme. This ensures we remain responsive to the changing needs of our pupils and the evolving job market.

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Destination Data              2022         Click HERE

Destination Data              2023         Click HERE

Destination Data              2024         Click HERE​​

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