Careers at Educational Diversity 

At Educational Diversity, we believe that careers education is a whole-school responsibility. Our aim is to inspire ambition, raise aspirations and support every student to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in the world of work.
 
We work closely with employers, training providers and education partners to ensure that students receive accurate, impartial and meaningful careers guidance that helps them make informed decisions about their future.

Our Careers Vision 2026

Our careers vision focuses on helping students thrive and flourish as they prepare for life beyond school.

Thrive

We support students to understand their strengths, interests and personal skills, helping them develop career readiness for a job market that is constantly evolving.

Through careers education and guidance, students will:

  • build confidence in their abilities
  • develop an understanding of the world of work
  • explore a wide range of career pathways
  • recognise how their education connects to future opportunities

Students are encouraged to remain open to possibilities and actively seek information about potential career paths. This approach allows every student to develop a personal journey based on informed choices.

Flourish

Students receive accurate, impartial and aspirational careers information, advice and guidance.
We aim to broaden horizons by helping students connect with:
  • employers
  • professionals
  • further and higher education providers
  • training organisations

Many young people are not aware of the full range of opportunities available to them. Through employer encounters, experiences and guidance, we help students discover new possibilities and build valuable networks.

Our careers programme reflects the context of our students and the local community in Blackpool, while also considering national and global employment trends.

We use Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) to ensure our careers education reflects current job opportunities, skills shortages and emerging industries.

Our Careers Programme

Our careers programme supports students to:
  • understand and develop their personal and employability skills
  • manage and plan their future pathways
  • learn about the local and national labour market
  • understand how curriculum subjects link to careers
  • explore job roles and recruitment processes
  • discover a wide range of careers, including emerging industries

Gatsby Benchmarks

Our careers provision is designed and evaluated using the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance, which are recognised as the national standard for careers education in schools.
Our programme includes:
 

 

These benchmarks ensure that our careers provision is structured, high quality and continuously improving.

Careers by Key Stage

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, careers education focuses on introducing students to the world of work and helping them begin to explore their interests and skills.
Students will:
  • learn about different careers and industries
  • develop awareness of their strengths and interests
  • take part in careers activities and employer encounters
  • understand how their learning connects to future opportunities
The aim is to demystify the world of work and inspire curiosity about future possibilities.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, students begin to explore career pathways in more detail and consider their next steps after school.
Students will:
  • take part in employer engagement opportunities
  • develop employability skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving
  • explore further education, apprenticeships and training pathways
  • receive personalised careers guidance
These experiences help students build confidence and develop the skills needed to transition successfully into further education, training or employment.

Modern Work Experience

Modern work experience allows students to learn in real-world environments beyond the classroom.
Where possible, work experience opportunities link to the curriculum and allow students to apply their learning in practical contexts.

 

Information for Parents and Carers

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting young people to make decisions about their future.
We encourage parents to:
  • discuss career interests with their child
  • explore different pathways including college, apprenticeships and training
  • attend careers events and information sessions where possible
Further careers resources and information will be shared through the school website and communications.

Working With Employers

We welcome partnerships with employers and organisations who would like to support our careers programme.

Opportunities include:

  • delivering careers talks
  • hosting workplace visits
  • offering work experience placements
  • supporting careers events or mock interviews

If you would like to work with our school, please contact us.

Careers Leader Contact

For further information about our careers programme, please contact:
Careers Leader
Educational Diversity
Email: vivien.counsell-thomas@eddiversity.blackpool.sch.uk 
Phone: 07827983387