The Buckingham School Strategic Plan 2025-2026

On top of the careers guidance embedded across the curriculum, we provide a wide range of dedicated careers insight opportunities across the Key Stages.

Whether a student arrives with a clear ambition or is still discovering what excites them, our careers programme is designed to open doors, broaden horizons, and build the confidence to step through them.

Careers Trips, Events and Activities - Click on the image to view in full

 

All School Policies, including the Careers Policy, can be found on the Policies page, click here.

This statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to students at the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

Student Entitlement – Pupils and Students in years 8 – 13 are entitled: 

• To find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;
• To hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships - through options events, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;
• To understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

Management of the Provider Access Requests

Procedure: A provider wishing to request access should contact:

Opportunities for Access: A number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to students.

Please speak to our Careers Leader to identify the most suitable opportunity for you. The school policies on Safeguarding and visitors must be adhered to.

Premises and Facilities: The school will make the Jubilee Hall or classrooms available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity. The school will make equipment available to support provider presentations. This will be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Leader. 

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at the School Reception.

We are incredibly proud to hold an 8/8 Gatsby Benchmark rating (the national standard for careers education). 

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of 8 guidelines that define the best careers provision in schools and colleges.

The 8 Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of guidelines defining "world-class" career guidance in secondary schools and colleges in England, developed by the Gatsby Foundation. They are used to help schools and colleges provide, and improve, their careers education, advice, and guidance. 

The eight benchmarks provide comprehensive career support for students: 

1. A stable careers programme.
2. Learning from career and labour market information.
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil.
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers.
5. Encounters with employers and employees.
6. Experiences of workplaces.
7. Encounters with further and higher education.
8. Personal guidance. 

How We Measure and Assess the Impact of Our Careers Programme

At The Buckingham School, we believe in success for all. Measuring the impact of our careers programme is central to ensuring every student receives the guidance, experiences, and support they need to thrive beyond school.

Using Compass+

We evaluate and continuously improve our careers provision using **Compass+**, a nationally recognised online tool aligned with the **8 Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance**. Used by schools across England, Compass+ allows us to assess, track, and report on our careers education against national standards, supporting strategic planning and enabling us to monitor individual student participation in careers activities.

This ongoing self-assessment reflects our commitment to delivering a careers programme that is relevant, ambitious, and responsive to the needs of all our learners.

Student Outcomes and Progression

Beyond Compass+, we measure the success of our programme through the outcomes and progression of our students over the course of their time with us. We look at the skills they develop, the experiences they gain, and the learning they accumulate — all of which contribute to the positive next steps and life progression they achieve when they leave us.

Stakeholder Voice

We also use the views and experiences of our wider school community to evaluate and shape our programme. This includes the voices of students, parents, volunteers, and staff, all of whom play a valuable role in helping us reflect on and improve what we offer.

We would love to hear from you. If you would like to share your thoughts on our current careers programme, please fill in the form below.

 

 

Year by Year Group Careers Programme

Years 7-13 Careers Roadmap