In this Section:
- Learning Support and SEND
- Specialist Centre for the Visually Impaired
- Supporting Young Carers
- Pastoral Support
- House System
- Student Support & Wellbeing
- Personal Development at Oxted School
- Careers Statement – Oxted School
- Supporting Looked After and Post-Looked After Children
- Safeguarding, Prevent & E-Safety
- Support for Parents
Careers Statement – Oxted School
At Oxted School, we are dedicated to providing every student in Years 7–13 with high‑quality, independent, and impartial careers guidance, in line with our statutory duties under the Education Act (1997). Our aim is to equip students with the knowledge, confidence, and experiences they need to make informed and ambitious decisions about their futures.
Our careers programme is structured around the eight Gatsby Benchmarks and delivered in a range of engaging and age‑appropriate ways. For students in Years 7–11, careers education is woven through the Personal Development curriculum, ensuring early and meaningful exposure to future pathways. In the Sixth Form, students benefit from a rich programme that includes Higher Education conventions, Apprenticeship and Careers Fairs, and our established Work Experience programme.
To support ongoing exploration, students receive regular careers updates via email, and have access to leading online tools such as Unifrog and UCAS, enabling them to research pathways, compare opportunities, and record their achievements throughout their time at school.
Our provision is carefully sequenced to reflect each student’s stage of development. We ensure they have clear and accessible information about the full range of post‑16 and post‑18 options, including university, apprenticeships, technical qualifications, and employment, so that every young person can move forward confidently along a pathway that is right for them.
To view the statutory careers guidance, please follow this link:
Statement of Entitlement
What Students Can Expect from Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CIEAG) at Oxted School
At Oxted School, we believe every young person deserves the guidance, opportunities and support needed to shape a confident and ambitious future. As part of our commitment to high‑quality CIEAG, students are entitled to expect:
- To be valued as individuals
Every student is recognised for their unique strengths, aspirations and needs. Our guidance is personalised, inclusive and rooted in mutual respect. - To develop the skills and knowledge needed for future employment
Through a planned and progressive programme, students gain essential employability skills and a clear understanding of the world of work, helping them move confidently towards their chosen careers. - To receive personalised support when exploring career pathways
Students are offered one‑to‑one guidance and support to help them make informed decisions about their next steps. - To access confidential, impartial advice
Careers conversations are conducted with professionalism and sensitivity, while respecting the school’s legal safeguarding responsibilities. - To benefit from expert and professional guidance
Students have access to qualified careers advisers, specialist staff and external providers who bring up‑to‑date expertise and insight into a wide range of sectors. - To receive clear information about post‑16 and post‑18 routes
We provide accurate, comprehensive information about further education, apprenticeships, technical qualifications and employment opportunities. - To explore technical qualifications and apprenticeships
As part of our careers programme, students learn about the full range of education and training options available at key transition points, enabling them to make choices that reflect their interests and ambitions. - To hear directly from a wide range of local providers
Through assemblies, option sessions, group discussions, careers events and our Future Friday programme, students can engage with colleges, training providers, employers and apprenticeship organisations. - To understand how to apply for academic and technical pathways
Students receive guidance on application processes for all routes, helping them consider how different learning environments, course styles and opportunities might suit their strengths, interests and future goals.
Implementation
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CIEAG) at Oxted School
CIEAG at Oxted School is delivered through a carefully planned and progressive programme, embedded within the PSHE curriculum and supported by experienced staff and external careers specialists. Tutors deliver careers learning as part of the timetabled programme, ensuring that every student has regular access to high‑quality guidance and opportunities for future planning.
Our provision is coordinated by Mr S Orozco, Careers Coordinator, who oversees CIEAG and maintains careers resources for Years 7–11. In the Sixth Form, Mrs K L’Estrange, Sixth Form Manager, provides support for students in Year 12 and Year 13, ensuring continuity and specialist guidance as students prepare for their next steps.
Throughout the year, we host and attend a wide variety of careers events, engaging with local employers, training providers and higher education institutions. These events help students build awareness of employability skills and broaden their understanding of the opportunities available to them. Students also attend major events such as the Surrey Careers Fair, the UCAS Higher Education Fair, the Emirates Higher Education Fair, and our whole‑school Careers Fair, which provides access to a broad range of pathways at every stage.
Work Experience and Employer Engagement
Work experience is a key element of our CIEAG programme.
- Year 10 and Year 12 students take part in a dedicated week of work experience or workplace shadowing, following Surrey County Council guidelines
- At Key Stage 4, students are encouraged to secure placements that reflect their interests and aspirations, supported by the Work Experience Coordinator, who manages all necessary administration
In addition, students benefit from Future Friday events, regular assemblies, workshops and talks from local employers, colleges and apprenticeship providers.
Careers Provision by Year Group
Year 7 and Year 8
In addition to our PSHE Programme students in Year 7 and Year 8 are introduced to careers education through an Innervate Careers Service assembly, which provides an early insight into future pathways. They have access to our Future Friday events, enabling them to hear from a wide range of visiting speakers and providers. Both year groups also begin using Unifrog, which supports students in recording achievements and exploring the world of work.
Year 9
In Year 9, students continue to build their understanding of careers through our PSHE Programme, assemblies and access to Future Friday and Unifrog. During the Options process, students and families receive tailored guidance from Innervate, helping them make informed and confident choices about GCSE subjects linked to their future plans.
Year 10
In Year 10, students take part in careers assemblies and receive one‑to‑one personal guidance from Innervate, with SEN careers interviews offered where appropriate. Students participate in a dedicated week of work experience and continue to benefit from Future Friday events, alongside visits to local colleges and a college fair. They also receive an Apprenticeship assembly delivered by ALPS Surrey. To ensure families remain fully informed, parents and carers receive regular updates by email, while students access the latest Labour Market Information, virtual career events, workshops and webinars through Microsoft Teams. Throughout the year, students use Unifrog to research pathways, record achievements and support their planning for post‑16 options.
Year 11
By Year 11, students receive personalised careers interviews, continued access to Future Friday, and opportunities to visit colleges and universities. They attend the Sixth Form Open Evening and taster day, as well as an Apprenticeship assembly led by ALPS Surrey.
Teachers across the curriculum link learning to careers, and the LSC team follows a structured agenda to ensure individual needs are met. Careers updates continue to be shared through Microsoft Teams and parent communications. Students maintain their Unifrog profiles as preparation for post‑16 progression.
Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13)
Our Sixth Form careers programme provides comprehensive preparation for university, apprenticeships and employment.
- Year 12 students undertake a week of work experience in June and attend a Higher Education Conference, alongside in‑school workshops and visits. They also benefit from occupational workshops led by local professionals
- A Higher Education Evening is held each spring for Year 12 students and their parents, offering essential guidance as they begin the application process
- Employment seminars are available for Year 13 students considering entering the workplace after completing their studies
The school’s Careers Adviser, Jacqui Rich (Innervate Careers Service), provides thorough one‑to‑one guidance interviews for all students in Year 10 and above, followed by a detailed action plan to support informed decision‑making. Innervate also delivers assemblies that raise awareness of the full range of careers and progression routes.
Careers Information, Advice and Guidance
There is a huge amount of information online to support career awareness and making the right choices.
Work Experience
‘Work experience is an important part of the work-related learning curriculum and we expect that all students will take part.
Work experience is more than working with a company for one week – it is a chance to explore possible future careers, to discuss higher education or employment routes and to experience a taste of the working world.’