Careers and guidance at Horizons

At Horizons Academy, we believe every pupil deserves to leave school with the skills, confidence, and ambition to take their next steps in life. Careers education is not just about jobs, it is about helping young people see what’s possible and preparing them for adulthood.

Our aims

Through our careers programme, we want every pupil to:

  • Explore their strengths, interests, and aspirations
  • Understand the wide range of education, training, and employment opportunities available
  • Gain the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and in life
  • Leave Horizons Academy with a clear plan for their next stage, whether that is further education, training, employment, or supported living

Key contact

Our careers lead is Gemma Bendell Whittaker:

gbendellwhittaker@horizons-ac.org.uk

Policies

All related policies, including our careers education, information, advice and guidance policy and our provider access policy can be found on our policies page.

Careers programme

Our programme is built around the Gatsby Benchmarks and adapted for SEMH and ASC learners.

  • Key stage 2: Learners start to explore different jobs and roles through themed projects, visiting speakers, and enrichment activities
  • Key stage 3: Careers lessons, employer encounters, workplace visits, and raising aspirations; Learners begin to identify their interests and strengths
  • Key stage 4: Option choices, vocational tasters, careers interviews, and meaningful work experience placements; Pupils learn about CV writing, interviews, and workplace expectations
  • Key stage 5: A personalised programme focused on transition into adulthood; Learners take part in extended work placements, supported internships, and enterprise projects, alongside college tasters and guidance for apprenticeships, training, or employment

Preparation for adulthood (PfA)

Our careers provision links closely with the four PfA outcomes:

  1. Employment – learners gain practical work experience, supported internships, career portfolios, and employability skills
  2. Independent living – budgeting, travel training, and household management support independence
  3. Community inclusion – volunteering, social action, and community projects build confidence and belonging
  4. Health – pupils learn about maintaining wellbeing to sustain work and adult life

Work experience

Work experience is a key part of our offer:

  • Pupils are supported to take part in placements with local employers, charities, and community groups
  • Placements are matched to interests and strengths and supported by staff
  • Work experience helps pupils build confidence, practise communication skills, and explore career options in a real-world setting
  • At key stage 5, pupils may also take part in extended placements or supported internships, developing long-term skills for employment

Support for learners and families

  • Every pupil has access to 1:1 careers guidance interviews
  • Families are invited to transition planning meetings to help shape next steps
  • Our family support worker and staff team work closely with colleges, training providers, and employers to ensure smooth transitions

Why this matters?

Many Horizons Academy pupils arrive with disrupted experiences of education. Our careers and guidance programme ensures that by the time they leave us, every learner has:

  • Explored what they enjoy and what they are good at
  • Experienced the world of work in a safe, supported way
  • Developed essential life skills for adulthood
  • A clear and achievable plan for the future

At Horizons Academy, careers education is about more than qualifications — it is about giving every young person the belief, tools, and opportunities to build a brighter tomorrow.