Careers Programme Information
Assessment and Monitoring of Our Careers Programme
At The Valley School, we believe every student has the potential to achieve their career aspirations. Our careers programme is designed to be engaging, educational, and aspirational, and is led by Miss Heller.
We work in partnership with YC Hertfordshire, who support our students from Year 9 through to Year 11. This begins with 1:1 meetings with our Personal Guidance Advisor to explore career pathways and further education options.
In Year 11, each student’s progress is tracked prior to leaving The Valley. We work closely with YC Hertfordshire, Transition Support Workers, and families to ensure that every student transitions into the most suitable post-16 destination.
Our careers provision is evaluated against the Gatsby Benchmarks—a framework of eight standards for effective careers guidance. Our most recent Compass evaluation showed that we are performing above the national average, achieving 100% across all eight benchmarks.
Careers Policies and Strategies
Our Careers Leader, Miss Heller, meets termly with the Careers and Enterprise Special Schools Co-ordinator to review progress and refine our careers strategy.
Careers Provision for Key Stage 3
In Years 7, 8, and 9, careers education is embedded across the curriculum. Students are introduced to foundational concepts related to employment and the world of work.
Thematic learning links careers to real-world contexts. For example, during the Farm to Fork theme in Year 7, students explore careers in agriculture and food production.
In Years 8 and 9, students engage with professionals from various sectors, learning about roles, responsibilities, and required qualifications.
Work-related experiences are integrated into the curriculum to build awareness and aspiration.
Careers Provision for Key Stage 4
In Years 10 and 11, students follow a vocational curriculum through the BTEC ‘Introduction to Vocational Studies’ qualification. Over two years, they select units that explore work-based learning and career pathways aligned with their interests.
Students explore personal career pathways and plan next steps in collaboration with families and staff.
In Year 10, students participate in Enterprise activities, simulating workplace conditions and developing key employability skills such as planning, communication, budgeting, and selling.
In Year 11, students attend a link programme at North Hertfordshire College, experiencing tasters of post-16 courses. This helps reduce anxiety and prepare them for transition.
We work closely with Transition Support Workers from local colleges to ensure students are supported before and after leaving The Valley.
Personalised transition plans are developed based on each student’s chosen destination.
We also attend career fairs to provide students with professional encounters and broaden their understanding of the world of work.
YC Hertfordshire delivers our careers guidance. More information is available on their website: YC Hertfordshire Careers
We collaborate with North Hertfordshire College, Herts Regional College, and Oaklands College to ensure smooth transitions into further education.
Destinations of Our Students
All students transition to Further Education Colleges after Year 11. Most attend North Hertfordshire College (Stevenage and Hitchin campuses), with others attending Oaklands College (Welwyn and St Albans) or Herts Regional College, depending on location and course suitability.
To explore opportunities in Hertfordshire, visit the Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal: HOP Into – a resource for jobs, apprenticeships, and labour market information.
Government Strategy and Gatsby Benchmarks
Our careers programme aligns with the Government’s Careers Strategy (December 2017), underpinned by the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks:
- 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
We are proud to be part of the Careers and Enterprise Company Hub, which connects us with employers and education providers across Hertfordshire.
Contact
For more information, please contact:
Miss Chaleen Heller
chaleen.heller@thevalley.herts.sch.uk
01438 747274
