We help pupils discover what they enjoy, recognise what they’re good at and explore what they could do after Meadows. From learning about jobs in our primary provision to meeting employers, gaining workplace experience and planning their next steps, pupils build the confidence and skills to make informed choices about their future.

"There is no single path to success. Our role is to help every young person discover theirs."  Mrs Doonan, Careers Lead

Meadows School Careers Map

Excellent careers education, advice and guidance help pupils to be very well-prepared for future life.

(Ofsted 2024)

Meadows Careers Programme

Our careers programme is guided by the eight Gatsby Benchmarks. At Meadows, this means helping pupils see how their lessons connect with work, meet employers, gain experience in a workplace and get individual advice about their next steps.

The eight Gatsby Benchmarks

1. A stable careers programme

2. Learning from career and labour market information

3. Addressing the needs of each pupil

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

5. Encounters with employers and employees

6. Experiences of workplaces

7. Encounters with further and higher education

8. Personal guidance

Find out more about the Gatsby Benchmarks

At Meadows, we help every pupil discover what they enjoy, recognise their strengths and explore where those strengths could take them. By meeting employers and gaining first-hand experience of work, pupils learn what different jobs are like and what employers value. With independent advice tailored to them, they build the confidence and skills to make informed choices about further education, training or work.

What pupils do at Meadows

Stage	What pupils explore
Primary    Key Stage 2	Pupils begin learning about jobs and the world of work through The Working World, part of the 1Decision PSHCE programme.
Years 7–9 Key Stage 3	Pupils explore careers through Independent Living Skills and our Meadows Careers Week. Link Workers help pupils use careers quizzes to identify interests and strengths. Families can request a meeting with an independent careers adviser.
Years 10–11 Key Stage 4	Pupils explore many careers during our Careers Week. They also have access to independent careers advice in both years. In Life Beyond School lessons they explore sixth form, college and apprenticeships. Link Workers support workplace experiences and transitions.
Key Stage 5  16+	Pupils explore many careers during our Careers Week.  Through PSHCE and BTEC learning, pupils explore personal finance, budgeting and borrowing. They identify their skills and strengths, look for work, volunteering and training, practise writing CVs and covering letters, prepare for interviews and learn how to make the most of work experience.

Meadows Annual Careers Week

Every November, more than 20 people from a wide range of industries visit Meadows for hands-on activities and conversations about their work. We invite speakers from roles and industries our pupils have shown an interest in, including [add three examples], and introduce them to careers they may never have considered. Pupils can ask what a job is really like, find out what employers look for and see how the skills they’re building in lessons are used at work.

In the weeks leading up to Careers Week, pupils practise introducing themselves, prepare questions they genuinely want to ask and build the confidence to start a conversation with a visitor. During the week, they can follow up on their interests, find out about local opportunities and start planning what they’d like to try next. Some of those conversations lead to work experience, giving pupils the chance to try out a role for themselves.

Independent careers advice

Our pupils can meet with a qualified, impartial careers adviser from CXK, an organisation that helps young people and adults explore career options and move into work. Meetings can take place in person or on Microsoft Teams and are tailored to each pupil’s interests, strengths and support needs.

Each year, we invite parents and carers of pupils in Years 7–9 to request a meeting for their child.

Exploring Next Steps

Start with the section that matches what you’d like to find out. If you’re unsure where to begin, speak to the Meadows Careers team about your interests, the support you need and what you’d like to try.

Choosing a College or Course

• Kent’s guide to options after 16 and KentChoices help you compare local courses, training and apprenticeships.

• SEND support in further education explains what support you can ask about when choosing a college.

• Post-16 travel assistance and personal transport budgets explain what help may be available with travel.

• Kent’s special school directory, NASS and Natspec can help you explore specialist schools and colleges.

Exploring Specialist Colleges

In Kent

• The Oaks Specialist College, Tonbridge, ages 18–25

• Grow 19, East Malling, Maidstone and Ashford, ages 18–25

• LINK19 College, Gravesend, ages 19–25

• Beacon Plus College, Folkestone, ages 19–25

With residential options

• The Mount Camphill Community, Wadhurst, ages 16–25

• The Orpheus Centre, Godstone, ages 18–25, with a focus on the performing and creative arts

Contact providers directly to ask about entry requirements, visits and the support they can offer.  

Preparing for work or an apprenticeship

• Supported internships combine an unpaid workplace placement with study and job coaching. They help young people aged 16 to 24, usually with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), prepare for paid work. Explore supported internships in Kent or programmes for autistic young people.

• Apprenticeships are paid jobs with training. Extra support may be available for young people with SEND. Explore apprenticeships and supported apprenticeships in Kent or search and apply on GOV.UK.

• Supported employment can help you find and stay in paid work. Some support is available without an EHCP. Find support through The Education People or find out how supported employment works.

• Access to Work may help with disability-related costs such as specialist equipment, a job coach or travel to work. Check what Access to Work can cover.

• More careers advice and vacancies. Explore CXK careers resources, Amazing Apprenticeships, Kent County Council apprenticeships and Kent Jobs apprenticeship listings.

Finding practical training, community activities and day opportunities

These organisations offer a mix of vocational learning, volunteering, supported activities and opportunities to build confidence and independence. Check with each provider about ages, referrals and current availability.

• Vocational training and employability · Catch22 Maidstone Skills Centre, Runway Training, Woodpecker Court and CXK services for young people.

• Music and creative activities · SupaJam Education, Kent Music and Touchbase Care in Folkestone.

• Farming, gardening and outdoor opportunities · Princess Christian’s Farm in Hildenborough, Communigrow near Aylesford, Mount Lodge Care Farm near Biddenden, White Rocks Farm near Sevenoaks and Canterbury Oast Trust.

• Day opportunities and support for adult life · Kent’s directory of day activities, Aspens, Choice Support and The Fifth Trust.

Getting more help with work, adult life or money

• Jobs and disability support. Start with the National Careers Service guide. You can also explore Whizz Kidz skills and employability support, auticon, VERCIDA’s careers information for autistic people, Shaw Trust and Maximus employment and skills services.

• Preparing for adulthood. NDTi’s Preparing for Adulthood resources cover employment, independent living, health and taking part in the community. The Routes into Work guide explains employment pathways for young people with SEND.

• Financial help. Buttle UK offers grants for eligible children and young people affected by crisis. A school or other frontline professional must apply on their behalf. The entitled to benefits calculator helps you estimate what benefits you or your household may be able to claim.

Other Resources 

• DfE supported internships guidance

• CXK apprenticeship resources for teachers

• Talentino’s SEND Gatsby toolkit

• United Response.

'Pupils of all ages benefit from the school’s excellent approach to careers information, advice and guidance.' (Ofsted 2024)

Some useful websites