Our CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) Programme is designed to support our pupils in developing the knowledge, skills, confidence and aspirations needed to make informed decisions about their future pathways. Through a range of activities, experiences and guidance opportunities, students will explore career options, understand the world of work, and develop employability and life skills that will help them succeed in education, training and employment.
J. Ridgeway
Careers
CEIAG Policy
THE AIMS OF OUR CAREERS PROGRAMME INCLUDE:
Our Careers Education and Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) Programme helps to prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life, in order to help them make a successful transition to adulthood.
Its aims include:
1. Educate the whole school community in understanding the importance of careers education and how all stake holders can support students on their careers journey.
2. Support pupils to be able to plan and manage their own futures.
3. Provide comprehensive information on options available.
4. Raise aspirations.
5. Promote equality, diversity, social mobility and challenge stereotypes.
6. Enable pupils to sustain employment and achieve personal and economic well- being throughout their lives.
Get Involved
WAYS IN WHICH PARENTS/CARERS CAN ENGAGE WITH OUR CEIAG PROGRAMME
- Year 11 Mock Interview Day – Wednesday 7th October 2026 (any volunteers appreciated to interview in-person a number of Y11 students on the day and provide verbal and written feedback, lunch provided)
- National Careers Week – Monday 1st March to Friday 5th March 2027 (online careers talks during form time)
- Careers Fair – Thursday 25th March 2027 (in-person host an interactive stand Years 9, 10 & 11 students, lunch provided)
- Year 10 Work Experience Week – Monday 5th July – Friday 9th July 2027 (short careers talk then setting students a project task to complete with feedback on the day)
- Feedback about our Programme.
CEIAG in the Curriculum
LINKING THE CURRICULUM TO CAREERS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS/CARERS AND EMPLOYERS
Please paste the subject links in the attached document into your web browser to access a full range of subject specific career guides. These excellent resources will help explain the skills and knowledge developed by each subject and how these can be applied in a range of contexts, including further study, paid work and volunteering.
This document is password protected. Please use the same password you would us to get on our school’s VLE.
Bridgewater High also have their own Page on the Learn Live Site
https://learnliveuk.com/partner/bridgewater-high-school/
Help Available in School
We currently use the Careers Service provided by Careers Connect for some of our Careers Programme.
1. At each of our Parents’ Evenings Years 9-11 and at all other important events and guidance evenings, a Mr Ridgway will be on hand to speak to parents and pupils.
2. All pupils in Years 11 have access to a careers interview with Mr Ridgway or a qualified careers adviser from Careers Connect. Additional interviews can be made for students in Years 9 & 10 if needed.
3. College drop-in sessions held during lunchtimes during Autumn and Spring terms to answer any queries about college applications, courses and apprenticeships.
4. SatchelOne ‘Show My Homework’ is used regularly to update students/parents about useful careers info e,g, Career Events throughout the Warrington area, Open Evenings at local providers. Also, emails home to inform Year 11 of apprenticeships which are available on a weekly basis.
5. Subject teachers provide information on careers related to their subject.
6. Careers Help is available in Upper School from Mr Ridgway before and after school until 3.30pm each day.
GATSBY Benchmarks
To achieve the aims of our Careers Programme we have adopted “Gatsby Charitable Foundation Benchmarks” to develop and improve our careers provision. The Gatsby Benchmarks are not a statutory framework but by adopting them, as other secondary schools do, we can ensure we can measure our progress in fulfilling/exceeding the legal requirements which must be met by the end of 2020.
There are 8 benchmarks which our Careers Programme follows:
- A Stable Careers Programme
- Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Linking Curriculum learning to Careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal Guidance
Bridgewater uses an online self-evaluation tool COMPASS to compare against the Gatsby Benchmarks and the national average, this allows us to compare and consider opportunities to improve our programme on an ongoing basis and measure the impact of our programme.
Useful Resources
For up-to-date information on jobs and training opportunities click here or here.
Pupils/parents/carers may also wish to search many of the very useful websites below that are available to provide advice:
CAREER RESEARCH SITES
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ – information on making choices, career planning, courses, apprenticeships and information on writing CVs and completing application forms
www.gov.uk/jobs-jobsearch
www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
www.amazingapprenticeships.com
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk
www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk
www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-parents-guide-to-apprenticeships
www.prospects.ac.uk – what careers are open to you with a specific degree
www.icould.com Real-life career videos, advice and information to inspire your career
www.careersbox.co.uk/ – online library of careers films, news and information
https://www.how2become.com/– Careers Interviews and Assessments made easy
Post 16 Destinations
Destination | Type |
Billy Goats Barbers | Apprenticeship |
Knutsford Hairdressing | Apprenticeship |
Nursery | Apprenticeship |
Nursery | Apprenticeship |
Skills for Security | Apprenticeship |
Stepping Stones Nursery | Apprenticeship |
Warrington & Vale Royal College | Apprenticeship |
City of Liverpool College | College of Further Education |
Cronton College | College of Further Education |
LMA College | College of Further Education |
Mysercough College | College of Further Education |
Reaseheath College | College of Further Education |
Riverside College | College of Further Education |
St Helens College | College of Further Education |
Warrington & Vale Royal College | College of Further Education |
Wigan & Leigh College | College of Further Education |
Warrington Wolves Rugby League Club | Employment |
Sedbergh School | School Year 12 |
St Edward’s School | School Year 12 |
UTC Warrington | School Year 12 |
Carmel College | Sixth Form College |
LIPA | Sixth Form College |
Priestley College | Sixth Form College |
Sir John Deane’s College | Sixth Form College |
Winstanley College | Sixth Form College |
Catch 22 College | Training |
Morthyng Group Ltd | Training |
Post 16 Resources
Careers Talks
See below for online assemblies provided for us by ex-students during National Careers Week:
XELLO
We would like to introduce you to a new programme our school has acquired to help your child prepare for academic, career, and future success.
Say hello to Xello!
Xello is an engaging online program that helps students build the skills, knowledge and plans to be future ready. The program uses an investigative, discovery-based learning process. Students better understand themselves, their future career options, and the 21st century skills they’ll need to succeed.
Here’s how it works: With Xello, your child will:
Build self-knowledge
Define their interests, skills, preferences, and aspirations so they can explore the opportunities right for them.
Explore options
Learn about career possibilities and educational pathways by exploring rich, engaging content and lessons.
Create a plan
Your child can create dynamic actionable plans that outline the steps needed to achieve school, career, and life goals.
Learn & reassess
Interactive lessons help your child develop age appropriate skills and knowledge for success in school and beyond.
Parent involvement
You’re encouraged to explore Xello with your child by logging in together. Your child can log in to his or her account via desktop or mobile device to share what they’ve learned about themselves, the world of work, and their future options.
