Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance

At Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme supports students from Year 7 to Year 13 to make ambitious, informed decisions about their futures. Rooted in our values of Ambition, Community and Inclusion, our programme ensures that every student has access to high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance.

Throughout their time at the academy, students experience a wide range of opportunities including employer encounters, university and further education visits, apprenticeship and technical education activities, work experience, mentoring, curriculum-linked careers learning and individual careers guidance. Students are encouraged to reflect on these experiences, develop their employability skills and understand the full range of education, training and employment pathways available to them.

Personal careers guidance is provided at key transition points, alongside additional individual support where required. We work closely with employers, education and training providers, families and external organisations to ensure students are prepared to progress successfully beyond school.

Careers Programme and Policies

Students, parents, carers, employers and providers can find further information through our:

Careers Leader

For further information about careers provision at Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, please contact:

Mr Yusuf Khan, Careers Leader
Telephone: 020 7920 7900
Email: ykhan@mulberryschoolstrust.org

The Gatsby Benchmarks

The Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance provide the national framework for high-quality careers education and guidance. At Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, all eight benchmarks are embedded throughout our CEIAG programme and help shape the careers education, guidance, encounters and experiences provided to students from Year 7 to Year 13.

Further information about the updated Gatsby Benchmarks is available from the official Gatsby Benchmarks website
  1. Benchmark 1: A stable careers programme
  2. Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information
  3. Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each young person
  4. Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers
  5. Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees
  6. Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces
  7. Benchmark 7: Encounters with further and higher education
  8. Benchmark 8: Personal guidance

Careers Across the Curriculum

Careers education is embedded across the curriculum from Year 7 to Year 13, helping students understand how their subjects connect to future education, training and employment. Departments make explicit links between curriculum knowledge, transferable skills and relevant career pathways, helping students recognise how the knowledge and skills developed in the classroom can be applied beyond school.

Curriculum learning is strengthened through links with employers, universities, professional organisations and external providers. Subject-specific activities, visits and enrichment opportunities also provide students with insight into different industries and professions.

Where appropriate, links to specialist Trust-wide programmes can also be embedded within the subject information. For example, Music and the creative arts can link directly to the Mulberry Production Arts Academy, which provides specialist opportunities in production and technical arts through the Mulberry Schools Trust.

Advice for Parents

Parents and carers play an important role in helping young people make informed decisions about their future. We encourage families to discuss careers, education and training regularly and to explore the full range of pathways available at key transition points.

The Success at School Parent Advice Hub provides useful information for parents and carers supporting young people with career choices, GCSE options, Post-16 pathways, university, apprenticeships, employability and applications.

Parents and carers supporting young people with Post-18 decisions can also access the UCAS Parent, Carer and Guardian Guide, which covers university applications, student finance, apprenticeships, accommodation and Results Day.

For information about the wider range of education and training pathways available, the government’s
 
 
provide guidance on career ideas, training routes and supporting young people with their next steps.

Further Online Careers Resources

Students and families are encouraged to use reliable and up-to-date careers information when researching future pathways. The resources below provide information about careers, qualifications, university, apprenticeships, technical education, employment and the skills required for different occupations.

Exploring Careers and Skills

  • The National Careers Service

    Explore hundreds of career profiles, entry requirements, skills, working patterns and progression opportunities. Students can also complete a skills assessment, search for courses and access independent careers advice.

  • Unifrog

    Our main careers and destinations platform. Students use Unifrog to explore careers and pathways, research opportunities, record activities and experiences and support applications for their next steps.

  • Start

    Allows students to explore careers, education pathways and opportunities linked to their interests, skills and aspirations.

  • icould

    Provides career ideas, information and real-life career stories to help young people explore different industries and occupations.

University and Higher Education

  • UCAS

    UCAS
    The main source of information for researching and applying to universities and colleges. UCAS also provides information about apprenticeships, careers, employers and alternative Post-18 pathways.

  • The Uni Guide

    Supports students to compare university courses and explore how subject and qualification choices can affect future higher education options.

  • University Compare

    Provides university and course comparisons, student information and guidance to support higher education research.

  • Prospects

    Particularly useful for Sixth Form students exploring degree subjects, career profiles, professional sectors and longer-term graduate career pathways.

Apprenticeships and Technical Education

  • Apprenticeships.gov.uk

    Official information about apprenticeships, how they work and the opportunities available to young people.

  • Amazing Apprenticeships

    Provides resources for students, families and schools covering apprenticeships, T Levels, Higher Technical Qualifications and technical education.

  • Skills for Careers

    Government information about education and training routes, career ideas and opportunities. This is particularly useful for comparing apprenticeships, T Levels, vocational technical qualifications and Higher Technical Qualifications.

  • Skills England

    Students can explore apprenticeship standards, technical qualifications and occupational routes to understand how different qualifications connect to skilled employment.

Labour Market Information (LMI)

Labour Market Information (LMI) helps students understand the changing world of work. It includes information about employment trends, skills needs, occupations, salaries and the areas of the economy where opportunities may grow or change.

Students are encouraged to use current LMI alongside their interests, strengths and aspirations when considering subjects, qualifications, further and higher education and future careers.

Useful sources include:

Labour market information is also explored through Unifrog, careers guidance, tutor activities and curriculum learning.

Every Teacher is a Careers Teacher

Our teachers:

  • Discuss students’ aspirations for further education, higher education, training and employment.
  • Make explicit links between curriculum learning, further study and the world of work.
  • Highlight careers and pathways connected to their subject areas.
  • Share relevant labour market and careers information.
  • Develop transferable and employability skills through curriculum and tutor activities.
  • Support students with applications, CVs, personal statements and preparation for future progression.

Our pastoral staff:

  • Support students at key transition points.
  • Coordinate careers activities, employer encounters, university visits and workplace experiences.
  • Help students access appropriate careers guidance and additional support.
  • Work with families to support informed progression decisions.
  • Identify students who may require targeted support to secure a positive destination.

Our middle and senior leaders:

  • Plan, monitor and evaluate the academy’s CEIAG programme.
  • Ensure careers provision is aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks and academy priorities.
  • Support departments to embed careers learning across the curriculum.
  • Develop partnerships with employers, education providers and external organisations.
  • Monitor student destinations and use this information to inform future careers provision.
  • Maintain links with alumni and encourage former students to share their experiences with current students.

Technical and Vocational Pathways

There are many routes into further study, training and employment. Students are encouraged to explore academic, technical and vocational pathways and select the route that is most appropriate for their interests, strengths, preferred learning style and future ambitions.

The government’s Skills for Careers training options guide provides a useful starting point for comparing the different pathways available.

Vocational and Technical Qualifications

Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs) provide practical learning linked to a particular job, occupation or sector. They can help students develop specialist knowledge and skills and may support progression into employment, apprenticeships, further study or higher education.

Students can use the Skills England qualifications finder to explore approved technical qualifications and the occupations to which they relate.

T Levels

T Levels are two-year Level 3 technical qualifications designed with employers. They combine classroom-based technical study with substantial workplace experience and include an industry placement of at least 45 days.

Students completing a T Level can progress to skilled employment, an apprenticeship or higher education.

Find out more and search for available courses through the official T Levels website.

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship combines paid employment with structured training. Apprentices develop occupational knowledge and skills while working for an employer and completing formal training.

Apprenticeships are available at different levels, including foundation, intermediate, advanced, higher and degree apprenticeships.

Students can learn more through Skills for Careers: Apprenticeships and search current vacancies through Find an Apprenticeship.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Foundation Apprenticeships provide an introductory route into an industry for eligible young people and combine paid employment with training. They can support progression into further employment or a higher-level apprenticeship.

Further information is available through Skills for Careers.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships

Higher and degree apprenticeships allow students to develop advanced professional skills while employed. Degree apprenticeships can combine employment with university-level study, allowing apprentices to work towards higher-level qualifications while gaining substantial workplace experience.

Students can explore opportunities through UCAS Apprenticeships, Amazing Apprenticeships and the government’s Find an Apprenticeship service.

Higher Technical Qualifications

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications approved against employer-led occupational standards. They provide specialist technical training and can lead directly into skilled employment or further higher education.

Further information is available through Skills for Careers: Higher Technical Qualifications.

Exploring Technical Occupations

Students who are unsure which technical pathway might suit them can use the Skills England qualifications by occupation tool to explore how T Levels, technical qualifications and HTQs connect to specific occupations and industries.

Mulberry PROPEL Programme

Personalised Routes into Opportunities, Progression, Employment & Learning

New for September 2026, the Mulberry PROPEL Programme provides targeted support for Year 13 students who may be at greater risk of leaving Sixth Form without a secure next destination.

Through personalised careers guidance, employability development, employer engagement and application support, students are supported to understand their options, establish a clear Plan A, Plan B and Plan C, strengthen their CV and applications, prepare for interviews and actively pursue apprenticeships, employment and training opportunities.

  1. Autumn: PREPARE
    Students explore their options, identify any barriers to progression, develop their CV and application materials, build their professional skills and agree clear destination plans.
  2. Spring: APPLY
    Students actively search and apply for apprenticeships, employment and training opportunities, engage with employers and providers, attend application support and complete interview preparation.
  3. Summer: SECURE
    Students receive continued and, where required, intensive support to secure their next destination, attend interviews, maintain realistic back-up plans and prepare for Results Day.

PROPEL support continues beyond the end of lessons for students who have not yet secured their destination, including support with applications, training provider enrolment, alternative destination planning and summer follow-up.

Our aim is clear: every student leaves Year 13 with a realistic, secure and positive next step.

Mulberry PROPEL Programme: Read the full programme here
Link

Local Careers and Progression Support

Students and families can also access careers and progression support through Tower Hamlets Young WorkPath, which provides advice for young people on education, college, university, apprenticeships, training and employment.

Visit Tower Hamlets Young WorkPath

Students leaving Sixth Form or college can also explore the council’s dedicated guidance on options after Sixth Form or college.

This careers information and the academy’s CEIAG programme will be reviewed in December 2026.

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