Careers Programme
The core intent and ambition of our Careers programme:
Young people today face a complex and rapidly changing landscape when preparing for their future careers. At Heywood Academy, our ambition is to ensure that every student becomes self‑confident, skilled, and fully career‑ready.
We deliver this through a comprehensive, progressive programme of carefully planned activities that support students as they grow, understand themselves, and make informed decisions about the pathways that are right for them beyond school. Our aim is for every young person to reach their aspirational destination and feel equipped to thrive in adulthood.
Our careers programme runs from Year 7 through to Year 13 and is built around the nationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks.
Tracking Aspirational Destinations
Heywood Academy tracks young people’s destinations against seven aspirational destination categories. With high expectations for all our children and young people, these destinations are identified early to ensure that each student receives the right support to achieve their full potential and move confidently toward their chosen future.
The seven aspirational destinations are:
- Being Independent
- Working with support in my community
- Volunteering in my community
- Playing a part in my community
- Taking control
- Taking part
- Being involved
These categories help us personalise guidance, monitor progress, and ensure that every young person is working toward a meaningful and fulfilling next step
Read more about our Destination Champions: Destinations Champions
The Eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance
The programme follows the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance which are:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
Quality Assurance and Review
We review all careers activity throughout the year using Compass+, working closely with governors and the local LEP. This ensures that our provision remains robust, reflective, and fully aligned with all eight Gatsby Benchmarks to the highest standard.
