At The Woodlands School, every teacher plays an important role in preparing our students for adulthood. Careers education is not a standalone element, it is strengthened when it is embedded across all subjects, in every key stage, and connected to real-life skills.
Our aim is to deliver a high-quality, fully inclusive careers programme that meets the Gatsby Benchmarks. To do this, we need your support in making strong, meaningful careers links within your everyday teaching.
Your Role in Embedding Careers
   1. Highlight Skills in Every Lesson
Regularly support students to recognise the skills they use such as:
- communication
- teamwork
- problem solving
- creativity
- independence
- resilience
- organisation
- following instructions
- practical, hands-on skills
Tip: Use visual supports, Widgit symbols, checklists, and simple sentence starters like “Today we used the skill…”
This supports Benchmark 3 (Addressing Individual Needs).
   2. Make Career Links in Your Subject
Help students understand why they are learning something by linking your subject to real jobs.
Examples:
- English: communicating with customers, reading instructions, writing emails
- Maths: using money, time, measuring, budgeting
- Science: health & safety, experiments linked to lab technicians, veterinary care, horticulture
- Art/DT: design skills, crafts, packaging, product design
- Food Tech: catering, food hygiene, hospitality roles
- PE: fitness careers, teamwork, coaching
- ICT: digital skills, online safety, coding, data entry
- Outdoor learning: grounds maintenance, gardening, conservation roles
This strengthens Benchmark 4 (Linking Curriculum to Careers).
   3. Build Real-Life Learning Opportunities
If you want to deepen learning outside the classroom, our Careers Adviser can help you access:
- guest speakers from different job sectors
- employer visits
- workplace tours
- hands-on task-based activities
- real-life project briefs
- supported enterprise activities
- FE college tasters or workshops
These support Benchmark 5 (Encounters with Employers) and Benchmark 6 (Experiences of Workplaces).
   4. Use Labour Market Information (LMI) Simply and Accessibly
You don’t need to teach detailed LMI. Instead, you can:
- show pictures of real local jobs
- talk about common local industries (retail, care, construction, hospitality, logistics, green skills)
- highlight what jobs are available in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas
- discuss “jobs people do in our community”
This supports Benchmark 2 (Labour Market Information).
   5. Know the Pathways Available for Our Students
Making simple references to possible next steps helps students and staff maintain a shared understanding.
Key SEND pathways include:
- supported internships
- entry-level / life skills courses Mk College
- vocational courses
- apprenticeships (with support)
- day service provision
- specialist college programmes
- volunteering routes
- work experience & work-related learning
This supports Benchmark 7 (Encounters with Further and Higher Education).
   6. Work With the Careers Adviser
If you would like support to:
- plan a careers-linked lesson
- invite an employer
- design a project brief
- connect your subject to real jobs
- adapt careers content for your learners
- record Gatsby Benchmark evidence
please speak to our Careers Lead.
This strengthens Benchmark 1 (A Stable Careers Programme) and Benchmark 8 (Personal Guidance).
What Good Practice Looks Like in Your Lessons
- Refer to employability skills regularly.
- Use simple career examples with visuals.
- Choose tasks that reflect real workplace routines.
- Incorporate teamwork and communication opportunities.
- Display careers vocabulary in your classroom.
- Celebrate students’ strengths and skills.
- Help students create evidence for their personal development folders.
Working Together for Outstanding Careers Provision
By embedding careers into daily teaching, you help us provide a consistent, meaningful and aspirational programme that meets the expectations of the Gatsby Benchmarks and supports our young people’s journey into adulthood.
Careers Lead Contact
Rebecca Brown – Careers Lead