During their education pupils have access to careers education, information, advice and guidance. Each academy follows a structured careers programme which supports pupils to develop skills and attributes to prepare them for their future lives.
Pupils will:
- Gain knowledge and understanding of career opportunities and future career pathways
- Develop personal skills and qualities
- Explore, develop and manage their own future career aspirations
- Develop employability skills
Support for pupils, parents, carers and teachers
The Leigh Academies Trust Engagement Team has developed a website to support pupils, parents, carers and teachers. Here you can find careers related information and resources including frequently asked questions.
Team Structure
The Leigh Academies Trust Engagement Team supports all academies, and includes careers learning to support pupils through impartial careers education and give information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their future.
UTC Careers Programme
Careers Lead: Richard Merry (careers@utcdartford.latrust.org.uk)
Vision and Commitment
Our vision is to empower students and enable them to make decision about their future in the following ways;
- Raise their aspirations
- Challenge stereotypical thinking
- Broaden their knowledge and awareness of the wide range of career options and study pathways available
- Offer independent and unbiased careers education information, advice and guidance (CEIAG)
With a strong belief in the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile, we encourage the personal and professional development of all our students.
Leigh UTC Dartford achieved Level 3 of Investors in Careers Accreditation in January 2019. This is to be reassessed in July 2026.
We are fully committed to ensuring quality careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) and adhere to the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Our vision is to empower students to make inspirational, independent, impartial decisions by imparting knowledge of all future options within the confines of Career Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG).
Careers Learning Programme
Leigh UTC Dartford has an exciting, varied and well-planned careers programme that aims to prepare students for their future. It is designed to help them learn more about different sectors and job roles, with an emphasis on STEM careers. It will also help them to know more about the different study pathways available.
The careers programme is supported with the use of Unifrog which is a platform which allows students to focus on early engagement, self-discovery, and linking learning to future careers which has a number of uses with Interests and Personality Profiles, Career Libraries, Activities and Competencies.
This helps build employability skills for the students from year 7.
Talent Acquisition Pipelines
The UTC’s vision to prepare STEM professionals for the future is delivered through planned and guided opportunities for our students. These are shown by year group on our Talent Acquisition Pipelines.
Details of developmental pathways by year group is available here.
Module 1
DWP – What Are My Skills
Big Bang competition / Industry Project
Kent University – Past Achievements, Future Goals
World Space week
Module 2
National Rail & Sparshatts
Thames Water assembly (World Mental Health Day)
Lego League Challenge
Module 3
Faraday Challenge Day competition
Transitions Project – University of Kent
National Apprenticeship Week:
What is an apprenticeship? – assembly (ASK)
Industry & sustainable development goal day
Tutor time apprenticeship activities
Module 4
Sport Relief
Armed Forces assembly
Communication Skills – (NCW)
Financial Literacy Day workshops
International Women & Women in Engineering assembly
Module 5
Exam focus / IB Learner Profile
Module 6
World Water Day
Industry & Innovation assemblies / workshops
University Creative Arts workshops
Multi-Industry Project Day
Module 1
Big Bang competition / Industry Project
World Space week
Mindfulness workshop
Module 2
Tomorrow’s Engineers week -Cory Energy Engineering for a cleaner world
Lego League Challenge
Thames Water assembly (World Mental Health Day)
Build a University – KamCop
Mindfulness workshop
Module 3
DWP workshops – Professional Relationships
National Apprenticeship Week:
What is an apprenticeship? – assembly (ASK)
Faraday Challenge Day competition
Module 4
International Women & Women in Engineering
World Book Day
Bletchley Park Trip
Communication Skills (NCW)
Armed forces assembly
Financial Literacy Day
Module 5
Exam focus / IB Learner Profile
Kent University trip
Module 6
World Water Day
Industry & Innovation assemblies / workshops
University Creative Arts workshops
Multi-Industry Project Day
Module 1
Launch Leigh Aspire Programme (M1-6)
Big Bang competition / Industry Project
World Space Week
Module 2
DWP workshops
Tomorrow’s Engineers week – SEM visit
Lego League Challenge
Mindfulness (World Mental Health Day)
Module 3
National Apprenticeship Week – SEM assembly and Network Rail departments in a company
DWP workshops – Professional Relationships
Faraday Challenge Day competition
Module 4
Female Engineering Industry carousel
World Book Day
Bletchley Park Trip
National Careers Week – careers carousel
Financial Literacy Day
Options Event
Module 5
Exam focus / IB Learner Profile
Module 6
World Water Day
Industry & Innovation assemblies / workshops
University Creative Arts workshops
Multi-Industry Project Day
Module 1
Launch Leigh Aspire Programme (M1-6)
Big Bang competition / Industry Project
World Space Week
Module 2
Mindfulness (World Mental Health Day)
National Citizenship Service assembly
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week: National Grid &
University of Greenwich workshops
Module 3
National Apprenticeship Week – Q&A with ASK
Employability Skills Workshops (M3-6)
Faraday Challenge Day competition
Module 4
Royal Naval Engineering Challenge
World Book Day
International Women & Women in Engineering
National Careers Week – Communication Skills
Financial Literacy Day
Armed Forces assembly
Module 5
IAG interviews (information, advice and guidance)
Launch tailored support programme
Module 6
Industry & Innovation workshops
Routes to Success week: Post-16 Options
WEX placements – virtual
IAG interviews (information, advice and guidance)
World Water Day
University Creative Arts workshops
Module 1
IAG interviews and group work (Modules 1-4)
Big Bang competition / Industry Project
World Space Week
CEIAG workshop by KCC / Education People (M1-4)
Module 2
Employability Skills workshops
Sevenoaks School HE event
UTC Post-16 Options assembly
Kent Choices event
National Citizenship Service assembly
IAG interviews and group work (Modules 1-4)
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week – National Grid
Mental Health & Wellbeing assembly (ESO)
Module 3
National Apprenticeships Week – Education People eve
UTC Apprenticeship assembly
IAG interviews and group work (Modules 1-4)
Faraday Challenge Day competition
Arkwright’s Scholarships assembly
Support with Post-16 applications
NCS assembly
Module 4
World Book Day
International Women’s Day & Women in Engineering
IAG interviews and group work (Modules 1-4)
Royal Naval Engineering Challenge
Armed Forces assembly
National Careers Week – Communication Skills
Financial Literacy Day
Module 5
STUDY & EXAMS -CEIAG SUPPORT
Module 6
Enrollment for Post-16
Results Day – support and guidance
University Creative Arts workshops
Multi-Industry Project Day
World Water Day
Industry & Innovation assemblies / workshops
Module 1
Launch Leigh Aspire Programme (M1-6)
Big Bang competition / Industry Project
World Space week
IBCP Professional Skills yr 12-13
Work Experience (Year 12-13, every Wed, M1-6)
Module 2
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week – Thames Water
University of Kent Engineering workshops
World Mental Health Day
National Citizenship Service assembly
Mental Health & Wellbeing assembly (ESO)
University of Greenwich EPQ sessions
Module 3
University of Greenwich EPQ sessions
UTC Apprenticeship assembly
Faraday Challenge Day competition
IAG interviews
STEM Career Pathway assembly
NCS follow-up assembly
Royal Naval Challenge
Arkwright’s Scholarships assembly
Module 4
Routes to Success -post-18 options (Careers Week)
IAG interviews
Financial Literacy Day
Armed Forces assembly
Baker’s Award workshop
International Women’s Day & Women in Engineering
University visits (self-arranged, ongoing)
Module 5
Trip to Canterbury Christ Church University
Module 6
Year 13 Transition activities
World Water Day
University Creative Arts workshops
Multi-Industry Project Day
Module 1
Business Breakfast
University Workshop
Big Bang competition / Industry Project
UCAS Personal Statement
World Space Week
Module 2
Mental Health & Wellbeing assembly (ESO)
University workshops
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week – Kent University
Degree apprenticeship workshop
Module 3
National Apprenticeship Week:
Apprenticeship application support (ASK)
Royal Naval Challenge
EPQ Presentations
IAG interviews and applications support
Faraday Challenge Day competition
Module 4
Application support (IAG)
National Careers Week – Communication Skills
Financial Literacy Day
Armed Forces assembly
International Women’s Day & Women in Engineering
Module 5
Revision and Exams
Module 6
Exam Results – support and guidance
responsibilities
Intended destinations questionnaire
Launch WEX (years 12 and 13)
Investor in Careers review:
(Principal, Careers Lead, Careers Learning Manager)
Weekly Career meetings – Careers Lead / Principal
Kent Participation Meeting (tri-monthly)
Business Breakfast
Careers Leaders Forum
Kent CEIAG meeting (bi-monthly across year)
Training Needs Analysis (careers)
Business Award dinner
Launch WEX (year 10)
Year 11 parent / teacher evening
Careers Check-in meeting with Principal
Professional Development training (careers)
Applications support
Start using Tracker and update compass report
PPE exams
Careers Leaders Forum
Intended destinations data submit to KCC
Collect and Review feedback from all stakeholders
Business Breakfast
CEIAG support for GCSE options
National Apprenticeship Week
Careers Check-in meeting with Principal
Collect & review feedback from stakeholders
National Careers Week
CEIAG support for GCSE options
Year 12 Routes to Success week (post-18 options)
Sept Guarantee data
Alumni / Linked-In (year 13)
Careers Check-in meeting with Principal
Collect intended destinations data (year 10)
Annual Careers Programme 2020/21 review
Review feedback from all stakeholders (final)
Conduct Subject Audit
Careers Leaders Forum
Exams – and intended destinations questionnaires
Finalise Careers Programme 21-22
Year 10 Routes To Success Week: Post-16 Options
values
A stable careers programme
Institutions and organisations should have an embedded programme of careers education and guidance that is known and understood by learners, parents and carers, staff, governors, employers and other agencies.
Learning from career and labour market
All learners, parents and carers, teachers and staff who support learners should have access to good quality, up-to-date information about future pathways, study options and labour market opportunities. Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers may require different or additional information. All learners will need the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of available information.
Addressing the needs of each student
Learners have different careers guidance needs at different stages. Careers programmes should help learners navigate their concerns about any barriers to career progression or progression pathways. In addition, opportunities should be tailored to the needs of each learner, including any additional needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged learners, young people with SEND and those who are persistently absent.
Linking curriculum learning to
As part of the providers programme of careers education, all subject staff should link curriculum learning with careers, even on courses which are not specifically occupation led. Subject staff should highlight the progression routes for their subject and the relevance of knowledge and skills developed in their subjects for a wide range of future career paths.
Encounters with employers and employees
Every learner should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment opportunities, including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes, and could include learners’ own part-time employment where it exists.
Experiences of workplaces
Every learner should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks.
Encounters with further and higher education
All learners should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them, including academic, technical and vocational routes. This should incorporate learning in schools, colleges, independent training providers (ITPs), universities and in the workplace.
Personal guidance
Every learner should have opportunities for guidance meetings with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These meetings should be available for all learners whenever significant study or career choices are being made and should be scheduled to meet their individual needs.
LAT Careers Learning Strategy Mission Statement 2019-2022
We aim to provide all pupils, in all of our academies, with a stable programme of inspirational and transformative work-related experiences (WREs) and opportunities, in order to develop essential employability skills so that they can reach their full potential. The LAT Careers Learning Strategy is underpinned by the embedding of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum across the Trust, which aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.
Collaboration with each of our academies and external partners is at the heart of our careers learning strategy to help us to provide invaluable work-related experiences with employers and employees. It is imperative that careers learning and work-related experiences are embedded within the curriculum, with teachers from all year groups and subject areas being committed to teaching and learning in the context of the real world.
Using the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance, Careers Leaders in all academies should strive to provide a varied source of provision to pupils of all ages, which is relevant to the local labour market.
We are proud of the personalised approach we take towards providing tailored careers experiences for individuals and targeted groups of pupils. Impartial advice and guidance from a trained professional for all secondary students, at key transition points, supports our pupils to make informed decisions about their next steps.
Provider Access and Careers Policy
Contact Us
We welcome all feedback from students, parents / carers, staff and other stakeholders with regard to our Careers Page and Careers Programme, so please get in touch if you have any comments, queries or suggestions.
Leigh UTC Dartford has a Career Leader, Rich Merry, who is available by email: careers@utcdartford.latrust.org.uk