Careers Support
Best Foot Forward appreciate that for many young people, a lack of direction and motivation can provide a significant barrier to educational engagement and attainment.
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Our careers programme (Forward Thinking) is designed for all age groups from KS3 to KS5. We strongly believe that careers education should be embedded throughout the curriculum so that young people appreciate how they might apply the skills and knowledge they are developing in any future employment setting.
Forward Thinking
Forward Thinking
Best Foot Forward's careers initiative - Forward Thinking - is designed to provide both an holistic and focused programme that aims to hit all of the Gatsby Benchmarks (in collaboration with the referring agent, family, and the student).
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Our intent is to equip every pupil with the knowledge, skills, and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their future, ensuring they are well-prepared for life beyond Post-16. Every pupil should be inspired and empowered to discover their potential and fulfil their aspirations.
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To achieve this aim, we have integrated a careers programme that spans across all year groups, addressing the unique needs and abilities of each individual pupil.
Best Foot Forward & The Gatsby Benchmarks
Gatsby Benchmarks
The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework for education leaders, headteachers, and careers advisors to assess the development of their pupils in employability skills. They also help students track their own progress and identify areas in which they need to continue developing their skills.
Benchmark 1
Students are entitled to CEIAG which meets professional standards of practice and which is person-centred, personalised and impartial. It is integrated into students’ experience of the whole curriculum and based on a partnership with students and their parents or carers. The programme is structured to deliver explicit learning outcomes, raise aspirations, challenge stereotyping and promote equality and diversity.
Benchmark 2
Best Foot Forward possess a wide range of resources for teaching students about the most up-to-date opportunities within the career and labour market. Our qualified careers advisor keeps abreast of local and national developments and is able to disseminate this information through sessional content as well as media output.
Benchmark 3
We measure the impact of our careers provision by tracking the academic and personal development of students who have received career guidance and mentoring; monitoring improvements in their attendance, behaviour, academic performance and engagement.
Benchmark 4
The careers guidance and education we provide at Best Foot Forward is mainly integrated into our PSHE curriculum (AQA Unit Awards) and through our offer of a BTEC in Personal Growth and Wellbeing. Our curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to explore different career options, develop employability skills, and understanding the importance of lifelong learning especially in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of work.
Benchmark 5
We actively collaborate with local employers, further education institutions, industry experts, and the local Careers Hub to create a network of opportunities for our students. These partnerships provide access to up-to-date information about labour market trends and allow students to build valuable connections to their future careers.
Benchmark 6
We encourage and facilitate (through collaboration with referral agents) work experience and vocational placements, enabling our students to gain real-world exposure and hands-on experience in their areas of interest. This helps bridge the gap between education and employment and fosters a practical understanding of the world of work.
Benchmark 7
Out tutors and mentors are dedicated to ensuring that students have the opportunity to explore further and higher education. We can use session time to attend open days at colleges, read prospectuses, and liaise with colleges and universities to establish opportunities and potential pathways for our students.
Benchmark 8
Students at Best Foot Forward benefit from personalised careers guidance and mentoring. Our dedicated staff, in collaboration with our qualified Careers Adviser, provide one-on-one support to help pupils identify their interests, strengths and ambitions. This ensures that pupils receive tailored advice and resources to help them make informed choices about their desired pathways.
“I’d tell men and women in their midtwenties not to settle for a job or a profession or even a career. Seek a calling. Even if you don’t know what that means, seek it. If you’re following your calling, the fatigue will be easier to bear, the disappointments will be fuel, the highs will be like nothing you’ve ever felt.” ― Phil Knight
The most direct way to request our services is to complete our online refer form. Completing this form with as much information as possible will ensure that we can generate an individualised and focused proposal that will support your young person to make tangible progress.​
(Where relevant please include an EHCP and Risk Assessment)