Careers Education - Strong Futures Start Here
At Harris Academy Clapham, careers education begins in Year 7 and builds each year through to Year 11.
Our structured programme helps students understand the world of work, explore future pathways and develop the skills needed to succeed.
Every student benefits from:
- A clear careers journey from Year 7 to Year 11
- Meaningful employer and workplace encounters
- Access to further education, university and apprenticeship providers
- Structured use of the online careers platform Unifrog, alongside labour market information
- Personalised guidance at key decision points
Our programme is fully aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks (a framework for world-class careers education – see below) and statutory guidance. We are also working towards achieving the nationally recognised Quality in Careers Standard for our careers programme.
By the time students leave us, they are informed, confident and ready to progress successfully to their chosen destination.
Our careers journey – from years 7–11
Students move through five clearly defined stages:
- Year 7 – Be Aware: Building aspiration and challenging stereotypes.
- Year 8 – Discover: Exploring sectors, skills and labour market information.
- Year 9 – Prepare: Linking GCSE options to future pathways.
- Year 10 – Evolve: Developing employability and completing meaningful workplace experience.
- Year 11 – Decide: Securing strong post-16 destinations.
Each stage combines curriculum learning, employer encounters, structured reflection and personalised guidance.
Real experience, real encounters
We believe students need meaningful experience, not just information.
Through our partnership with EqualEx, students receive increasing exposure to different workplaces, culminating in a substantial work experience placement in Year 10.
Students also:
- Meet employers and alumni
- Take part in skills and enterprise days
- Attend National Careers Week and Apprenticeship Week events
- Hear directly from further education, higher education and apprenticeship providers
We carefully prepare students for these encounters, and reflect on them afterwards, so that students gain as much as possible from the experiences.
Personalised guidance
Every student has access to impartial careers guidance.
- All Key Stage 4 students receive one-to-one guidance interview
- Targeted guidance is provided in Years 9 and 10
- SEND and priority groups receive enhanced support
- Students with an EHCP receive specialist transition planning
We track aspirations, applications and destinations carefully to ensure every student is supported.
Gatsby Benchmarks - at a glance
Our programme is fully aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks (a framework for world-class careers education).
