1. CEIAG Policy & Overview

CEIAG at Rainford High

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance programmes make a major contribution to preparing young people for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life. A planned programme of activities supports them in choosing 14 – 19 pathways that suit their interests and skills and inspire them to consider a range of career pathways to help ensure sustained employability throughout their working lives. Careers Education Information, Advice and Guidance is central to the ‘Everyone Succeeds’ component of the whole school ethos (Everyone Matters, Everyone Helps, Everyone Succeeds) and Sixth Form motto of ‘Be Brilliant’, in which we support all students to achieve their life goals. 

“Every student should have at least one such interview by the age of 16, and the opportunity for a further interview by the age of 18, by the end of their study programme.” – (Statutory Guidance September 2022 – Gatsby 8 Requirement).

Statutory duties  

Rainford High has a statutory duty to secure independent careers guidance for all year 8 to 13 students (The Education Act 2011 / Careers Guidance and Access for Education and Training Providers Jan 2018 – soon to be compulsory from Year 7) and aim to meet the eight Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance by 2024. 

  • The Director of Personal Development and CEIAG has overall responsibility for all aspects of the CEIAG programme. 
  • They are accountable to the Acting Vice-Principal Character and Culture. 
  • The librarian coordinates 1:1 Careers appointments in liaison with Career Connect and also supports in the marketing and publicity of carers related opportunities and events. 
  • The Director of 6th Form has responsibility for all Careers related learning and opportunities within the 6th Form; with input from the Director of Personal Development and CEIAG. 
  • Learning Leaders and Learning Tutors (Y7-13) also support Careers related learning and opportunities via the PSHCE / Careers curriculum and other enrichment opportunities. 
  • All staff contribute to careers information, advice and guidance through their roles as faculty leaders, learning tutors, subject teachers or pastoral support.  
  • Specialist sessions are delivered by trained staff or outside agencies. 
  • The Principal has an overall responsibility for the provision of careers education

Vision and Commitment 

Our vision is for careers provision that aims to raise our students’ aspirations; to broaden their horizons; to inspire and to empower them to make informed course choices and realistic decisions at key transition points in learning and in preparation for the world of work. We want all students to have knowledge and resilience to be ‘C.L.E.A.R.’ about the skills they need to acquire in order to achieve their aspirations, reach their full career potential, meet the needs of employers and to contribute to economic growth, both locally and nationally’. 

Year by Year CEIAG Summary 

Year 7 

As a Year 7 student, you will be involved with a range of Careers Education, Information, and Guidance (CEIAG) over the duration of your school year. You will have regular Form time CEIAG themed activities to take part in and you will also have your very own ‘Everyone Succeeds’ day. 

Y7 ‘Everyone Succeeds’ Day is a whole day (off timetable) where you are involved in developing your understanding of the world of work through exciting ‘Dragon’s Den’ style activities. During the day, you will learn to develop an understanding of your own skills, as well as the world of business. 

You will also have full access to all our CEIAG Resources: 

  • Assemblies from Aspirational Speakers, Career Connect and other external providers. 
  • Virtual Aspirations Week – marketplace event where you can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers – hosted via school website. 
  • Aspirations Evening – a marketplace event where students and parents can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers and speak with Career Connect Advisors. 
  • Careers Connect –Drop-ins (lunchtime every Wednesday). 
  • Unifrog, Careers Connect Portal and other on-line websites. 
  • Advice from teachers – subject and Key Stage career notice boards. 
  • Careers Corner (in the library) – Prospectuses and Future Careers. 

    Year 8 

    As a Year 8 student, you will be involved with a range of Careers Education, Information, and Guidance (CEIAG) over the duration of your school year. You will have regular Form time CEIAG activities to take part in and you will also have your very own ‘Be Brilliant’ day. 

    Y8 ‘Everyone Succeeds’ day is a whole day (off timetable) where you are involved in developing your understanding of the world of work. During the day, you will experience some exciting sessions delivered by a range of employers and industry professionals. 

    You will also have full access to all our CEIAG Resources: 
  • Assemblies from Aspirational Speakers, Career Connect and other external providers. 
  • Virtual Aspirations Week – marketplace event where you can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers – hosted via school website. 
  • Aspirations Evening – a marketplace event where students and parents can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers and speak with Career Connect Advisors. 
  • Careers Connect –Drop-ins and 1:1 Personal Guidance Interviews available on request. 
  • Unifrog, Careers Connect Portal and other on-line websites. 
  • Advice from teachers – subject and Key Stage career notice boards. 
  • Careers Corner (in the library) – Prospectuses and Future Careers. 

    Year 9 

    As a Year 9 student, you will be involved with a range of Careers Education, Information, and Guidance (CEIAG) over the duration of your school year. You will have regular Form time CEIAG activities to take part in and you will also have your very own ‘Be Brilliant’ day. 

    Y9 ‘Everyone Succeeds’ day is divided into two half days (off timetable) where you are involved in developing your understanding of future career and education pathways. One half day will be spent visiting a local university to find out more about Higher Education. The other half day will be spent learning about apprenticeships and career pathways and how GCSE option choices can impact these decisions. 

    You will also have full access to all our CEIAG Resources: 
  • Assemblies from Aspirational Speakers, Career Connect and other external providers. 
  • Careers Connect – individual or group Careers Guidance appointments (by request). 
  • Unifrog, Careers Connect Portal and other on-line websites. 
  • Advice from teachers – subject and Key Stage career notice boards. 
  • Careers Corner (in the library) – Prospectuses and Future Careers. 
  • Virtual Aspirations Week – marketplace event where you can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers – hosted via school website. 
  • Aspirations Evening – a marketplace event where students and parents can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers and speak with Career Connect Advisors 



    Year 10 

    As a Year 10 student, you will be involved with a range of Careers Education, Information, and Guidance (CEIAG) over the duration of your school year. You will have regular Form time CEIAG activities to take part in and you will also have your very own ‘Be Brilliant’ day. 

    Y10 ‘Everyone Succeeds’ day is a whole day (off timetable) where you are involved in developing your understanding of the world of work. During the day, you will take part in the national ‘Skills and Enterprise Week’ competition (delivered through Unifrog) where you will develop your own employability skills whilst gaining an insight into the world of the entrepreneur. 

    You will also have full access to all our CEIAG Resources: 
  • Assemblies from Aspirational Speakers, Career Connect, Open The Door Theatre Co. Apprenticeship Hub and other external providers. 
  • Careers Connect – individual or group Careers Guidance appointments 
  • Unifrog, Careers Connect Portal and other on-line websites. 
  • Advice from teachers – subject and Key Stage career notice boards. 
  • Careers Corner (in the library) – Prospectuses and Future Careers. 
  • Virtual Aspirations Week – marketplace event where you can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers – hosted via school website. 
  • Aspirations Evening – a marketplace event where students and parents can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers and speak with Career Connect Advisors. 

  • Year 11 

    As a Year 11 student, you will be involved with a range of Careers Education, Information, and Guidance (CEIAG) over the duration of your school year. You will have regular Form time CEIAG activities to take part in and you will also have your very own ‘Everyone Succeeds’ day. 

    Y11 ‘Everyone Succeeds’ day is a whole day (off timetable) where you are involved in developing your understanding of ‘next steps’. During the day, you will participate in sessions designed to provide you with an insight into choosing and applying for Post 16 choices, as well as options available Post 18. 

    You will also have full access to all our CEIAG Resources: 
  • Assemblies from Aspirational Speakers, Career Connect, Open The Door Theatre Co, Apprenticeship Hub and other external providers. 
  • Careers Connect: individual or group Careers Guidance appointments. 
  • Unifrog, Careers Connect Portal and other on-line websites. 
  • Advice from teachers – subject and Key Stage career notice boards. 
  • Careers Corner (in the library) – Prospectuses and Future Careers. 
  • Virtual Aspirations Week – marketplace event where you can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers – hosted via school website. 
  • Aspirations Evening – a marketplace event where students and parents can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers and speak with Career Connect Advisors. 

    Year 12/13 

    As a Sixth Form student, your Post 18 and career choices become even more important as your start Year 12. As such, you will receive a wide range of useful information during form time, assemblies and tutorials. topics covered by internal and guest speakers include: 
  • University choices and application processes 
  • Higher and Degree level apprenticeships and application processes 
  • Gap year and student travel 
  • Student finance and budgeting 

    You will also take part in a two-week work experience placement at the end of Year 12, in order to develop your understanding of the world of work and support your future choices. 

    ‘Employability Days’ are also a key part of CEIAG throughout Year 12. Here, you will experience small group sessions with lots of different employers and employees in your field(s) of interest. You will also get the chance to visit a university, hear from apprenticeship providers and receive excellent support and guidance on your next steps. 

    Students will also be allocated a one-to-one Progression Advisor to support them through their Post 18 decisions or apprenticeship or UCAS applications and interviews. 

    The ‘Honours Programme’ is also in place to support our highest achievers with their Post-18 decisions around Russell Group and Oxbridge university choices. This programme includes half termly workshops focusing on researching choices, career pathways, scholarships and summer schools. Students also visit an additional Russell Group university and have the opportunity to take part in the Oxbridge national conference, and attend a residential to both universities in the summer of Year 12. Links have also been made with representatives from both universities to provide external workshops at key points of the year around applications and interviews, as well as bespoke support in collaboration with another local Sixth Form college to ensure students have a realistic interview preparation experience. 

    You will also have full access to all our CEIAG Resources: 
  • Careers Connect –Drop-ins (lunchtime every Monday) and individual or group appointments. 
  • Assemblies Aspirational Speakers, Career Connect and other external providers 
  • Employer engagement opportunities  
  • Unifrog, Careers Connect Portal and other on-line websites. 
  • Advice from teachers – subject and career notice boards. 
  • Careers Resources (in the study area) – Prospectuses and careers publications. 
  • Virtual Aspirations Week – marketplace event where you can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers – hosted via school website. 
  • Aspirations Evening – a marketplace event where students and parents can collect information from a wide range of employers, colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers and speak with Career Connect Advisors.