At Abingdon House School Purley, careers education is the golden thread woven throughout our curriculum; empowering every student to discover their strengths, explore future pathways, and develop the confidence and skills needed for life beyond school.
Mission statement
At Abingdon House School Purley, our careers and employability programme is rooted in our whole-school vision: to nurture confident, capable, and self-aware young people who are prepared to thrive in the wider world. We are committed to delivering a high-quality, inclusive careers education that empowers every learner to make informed, ambitious, and meaningful choices about their future.
Our programme is carefully designed in line with statutory guidance from the Department for Education, the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance, and best practice in independent and SEND education. We recognise that our learners require a highly personalised and supportive approach, and we ensure that careers education is accessible, aspirational, and responsive to individual strengths, needs, and interests.
Through a structured and progressive curriculum from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4, learners develop key employability skills and engage in meaningful careers learning that builds confidence, independence, and real-world understanding. They explore a wide range of pathways – including A Levels, vocational and technical routes, apprenticeships, T Levels, and emerging qualifications and routes – ensuring they are informed about both established and future opportunities.
Learners benefit from regular encounters with employers, employees, and education providers, alongside structured opportunities to develop workplace awareness, communication skills, and practical employability competencies. We also provide access to work-related learning experiences, carefully scaffolded to meet individual needs, ensuring every learner can participate meaningfully and safely.
We are committed to:
Promoting equality of opportunity and actively challenging stereotypes
Supporting learners to develop independence, resilience, and employability skills
Providing personalised careers guidance that reflects each learner’s starting point, aspirations, and support needs
Embedding real-world experiences through employer engagement, work-related learning, and curriculum links
Ensuring all learners are fully prepared for successful transitions beyond school
As a forward-thinking and reflective school, we place strong emphasis on evaluating the impact of our careers provision. We will track learner destinations, review progression over time, and gather structured feedback from students, parents and carers, staff, employers, and external partners. This ensures our programme remains responsive, relevant, and continuously improving.
Our approach will also include longitudinal tracking of destinations beyond Year 11, enabling us to understand long-term outcomes and ensure that learners are supported into sustained and appropriate post-16 pathways. This includes further education, apprenticeships, training routes, and supported employment, with careful consideration of prior attainment and individual progress.
Our ultimate aim is that every student leaves Abingdon House School Purley with the confidence, clarity, and skills to take their next best step – equipped not only for further education or employment, but for independence, lifelong success, and personal fulfilment.
Information for Students
Information for Students
At Abingdon House School, Purley, your future matters.
We want every student to feel confident about what comes next and to build a future that matches their strengths, interests and goals.
Our careers programme helps you:
discover what you are good at
explore different job and study options
build confidence and independence
prepare for life after school
Because everyone learns differently, your careers journey is personalised to you. There is no “one route” — we help you find the pathway that works best for you.
Our programme is designed around the Gatsby Benchmarks, which means it is structured, planned and built to give you the best possible guidance from Year 7 onwards.
We also help you build skills for adulthood, including:
💼 Work and employment
🏠 Independent living
🧠 Good health and wellbeing
🌍 Being part of your community
Careers journey at Abingdon House School (Year 7–11)
Careers education is not a one-off event — it is a progressive journey built over time.
🟢 Year 7–8: Discovering myself
Exploring strengths, interests and preferences
Building confidence and communication skills
Introduction to careers vocabulary and real-world roles
Linking learning to everyday life
🟡 Year 9: Exploring options
Structured careers education sessions
Understanding how subjects link to future careers
Introduction to GCSE options process
Early aspirations and goal-setting support
🟠 Year 10: Building skills
Individual careers guidance meetings
Developing employability and independence skills
CV and application preparation
Work experience preparation (where appropriate)
🔵 Year 11: Preparing for transition
Personalised post-16 planning meetings
Applications to college, sixth form or apprenticeships
UCAS and higher education exploration (where appropriate)
Intensive transition and wellbeing support
GCSE choices
Choosing GCSE options is an important milestone. At Abingdon House School, we ensure this process is:
Fully individualised and supportive
Based on strengths, interests and future aspirations
Designed to maintain maximum flexibility for post-16 pathways
Focused on building confidence, independence and transferable skills
We recognise that for many students, success is about progress in communication, resilience, and self-esteem as much as academic achievement.
What Happens After GCSEs?
We support all students to explore a wide range of post-16 and post-18 pathways. These include:
📚 Sixth Form, college
Academic (A Levels) or vocational (BTEC/T Level) courses tailored to individual strengths and learning needs.
🔨 Apprenticeships
Earn while you learn in a structured workplace environment, from entry-level to degree apprenticeships.
💼 Supported internships & employment pathways
Highly structured routes into employment for students who benefit from additional support, including:
Supported internships
Entry-level training programmes
Local employer partnerships
Job coaching opportunities
🎓 Higher education (University and UCAS pathway)
For some learners, higher education may be a possible future step after post-16 study (such as college, sixth form or an apprenticeship).
We support students to begin exploring this pathway in an accessible and age-appropriate way by introducing:
Awareness of university as a future option
Understanding what UCAS is and how applications work
Early exploration of courses and subject interests
Developing independence and study skills needed for future progression
Building confidence around decision-making and long-term goals
Transition planning from post-16 into higher education (where appropriate)
We emphasise that university is one of many possible routes, and that there are multiple successful pathways into adulthood, employment and independence.
We ensure every pathway is considered equally valid and carefully matched to the individual.
Work experience & employability skills
We place a strong emphasis on real-world preparation, adapted to each student’s needs and readiness.
Students may access:
Work experience placements
In-school work tasters where appropriate
Volunteering opportunities
Employer visits and careers talks
Alongside this, we develop key employability skills:
Communication and teamwork
CV writing and applications
Interview preparation and role-play
Time management and organisation
Problem-solving and independence
Our aim is to ensure students leave school with both qualifications and the confidence to apply their skills in real-life contexts.
Careers information & guidance
Students access a structured and supported careers programme using trusted platforms such as:
Unifrog – Careers, apprenticeships and progression pathways
Skillsometer is a great tool to help young people discover what jobs they might like to do in the future. See below…
Careerometer provides access to headline data about future employment prospects for different occupations. See below…
Where appropriate, students are offered individualised careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) sessions, which may take the form of:
1:1 discussions with a trusted member of staff
Small group guidance sessions
Structured transition and pathway planning meetings
These sessions are designed to support students in exploring their strengths, interests and next steps in a way that is calm, accessible and tailored to individual needs and communication profiles.
Who supports careers learning?
Careers education at Abingdon House School is delivered through a joined-up team approach, including:
Class teachers and tutors
SEN and pastoral staff
Therapists (where appropriate)
Careers lead and senior leadership team
External careers advisers (as needed)
This ensures that careers guidance is fully embedded into each student’s wider learning and support plan.
Mental health & transition support
We understand that transitions can feel exciting but also uncertain or overwhelming. We provide a strong network of support to ensure students feel safe and prepared.
We believe that successful transitions are achieved through strong partnership with families and carers.
Parents and carers are invited to:
Attend careers and transition meetings
Contribute to planning discussions
Support decision-making around pathways
Engage in post-16 preparation conversations
We recognise families as key partners in ensuring that each young person’s next steps are realistic, supported and aspirational.
Key questions for prospective post-16 providers
When exploring post-16 options, it can be helpful to ask:
Learning & support
How will you support my individual needs?
What does a typical day look like?
What support is available if I find learning difficult?
Progression
What do students usually do after this course?
How does this pathway lead to employment, training or university?
Careers & experience
What work experience or employer links do you offer?
How do you prepare students for employment or independence?
Wellbeing
What mental health and wellbeing support is available?
How do you support students during transition periods?
Our Commitment
At Abingdon House School, Purley, we are ambitious for every learner. We believe that with the right support, structure and encouragement, every young person can:
Discover their strengths
Build confidence and independence
Develop real-world skills
Make informed and meaningful choices about their future
Our careers programme is not about limiting options — it is about opening doors, building belief, and ensuring every student is supported to take their next step with confidence.
Information for Parents & Carers
Information for Parents & Carers
At Abingdon House School, Purley, we recognise that families play a vital role in supporting young people to make informed and confident decisions about their future. Our careers and transition support is designed to ensure that parents and carers feel informed, involved and supported throughout each stage of their child’s journey.
We understand that post-school planning can feel complex, particularly for young people with additional needs. We therefore aim to provide clear information, structured guidance and regular opportunities for discussion, working in partnership with families at every stage.
Progression pathways
Students at Abingdon House School follow a carefully structured progression route, which is adapted to meet individual needs and aspirations.
KS3 (Years 7–9): Building skills, confidence and independence
KS4 (Years 10–11): GCSE or alternative study, employability skills and transition preparation as they prepare to move on to their Post-16 choices such as: College, sixth form, apprenticeships, supported internships or other training routes
This pathway is always flexible and personalised, with regular review points to ensure it remains appropriate for each learner.
Year 9 options process
In Year 9, students are supported through an individualised options process to help them select GCSE subjects.
This process includes:
Information sessions for students and families
Guidance on subject choices and future pathways
Discussion of strengths, interests and support needs
Individual conversations with school staff
The focus is on making choices that:
Support confidence and success
Keep future options open
Align with each learner’s strengths and needs
Beyond KS4 (Transition planning)
As students move through KS4, we begin structured transition planning for post-16 destinations. This is shared with families through presentations, meetings and personalised discussions.
A Beyond KS4 information presentation is used to explain:
Post-16 options in detail
Differences between college, sixth form, apprenticeships and supported pathways
What support may be available in different settings
How transition planning is personalised
This helps ensure families feel informed and supported when making decisions.
Open events and provider visits
Where appropriate, families are encouraged to attend:
College and sixth form open days
Virtual information events
Careers fairs and transition events
Students may also be supported to attend visits to help them experience different settings in a structured and supported way.
EHCP, Local Authority and external support
We work closely with families and Local Authorities to support transition planning for students with an EHCP.
Parents and carers are encouraged to:
Contact their Local Authority SEN team to understand the local offer
Engage with their allocated EHCP Co-ordinator / Case Officer where appropriate
Contribute to annual review discussions about future pathways
We ensure that transition planning is fully aligned with EHCP outcomes, particularly around preparing for adulthood.
1:1 careers and transition support
Students are supported through individual careers and transition conversations, which may take place with key staff such as:
Form tutors
SEN/pastoral staff
Careers lead
Senior leadership team (including Jon and Louise)
These conversations may focus on:
Strengths, interests and aspirations
Post-16 pathway exploration
Skills development and readiness
Emotional readiness for transition
Families are often invited to be part of these discussions where appropriate, ensuring a joined-up approach between school and home.
Provider information and timelines
We recognise that choosing post-16 providers is an important decision-making process.
It is important to note that:
Students are not expected to make final decisions about specific providers until later in the process (typically around the Year 11 Annual Review), when needs, aspirations and readiness are clearer.
This ensures that choices remain flexible, realistic and appropriately matched to each learner’s development.
Useful external careers & support links
Families may find the following websites helpful when exploring options:
You may also contact Jon Mansell or Emma Stark via the school office for general transition or pastoral queries.
Final note
We are committed to ensuring that every student has access to clear, structured and supportive transition planning. We believe that with the right guidance, all young people can move forward with confidence into pathways that are meaningful, achievable and aspirational.
Information for Staff, Employers & Partners
Information for Staff, Employers & Partners
Staff
We would like to thank all staff for their continued support in delivering our careers & progression programme across Abingdon House School, Purley.
Careers education is most effective when it is embedded across the curriculum, and we appreciate staff contributions in helping students make informed and aspirational choices about their future pathways.
At Abingdon House School Purley, employers and alumni play a vital role in supporting the careers learning of our students. You can make a real difference by:
Providing work experience placements, work shadowing, and work visits.
Taking part in encounter events, such as careers talks, ‘I Love My Job’ events, and speed networking.
Supporting careers fairs and sector taster sessions.
Your involvement helps to raise opportunities for students with SEN, enabling them to explore careers, develop skills, and realise their full potential. By engaging with our students, you are helping young people in Croydon and the surrounding community access meaningful career pathways and make informed choices about their futures.
Alumni engagement: Become a mentor or volunteer We are always looking for professionals and former learners to support our programme. Could you:
Act as a mock interviewer or mentor?
Offer careers talks or guidance?
If you would like to be part of our growing network of local talent, supporting students with SEN and the wider Croydon community, please contact Louise Christian to discuss volunteering opportunities. Your experience can help our learners take their next best, ambitious, and informed steps into the world of work.
Work Experience, CV, and Interview Support
Work Experience, CV, and Interview Support
At Abingdon House School, Purley, we support students to develop the skills they need for future education, training and employment. This includes preparing for work experience, writing CVs, and building confidence for interviews.
Support is personalised and adapted to each learner so that they can develop independence at a pace that is right for them.
Work experience is an important part of preparing for adulthood and employment.
Students may be supported to:
Take part in structured placements
Complete in-school or adapted experiences
Explore virtual alternatives where appropriate
Tips for finding work experience:
Start with personal interests
Consider local shops, charities and community organisations
Ask family networks for ideas
Use virtual work experience if needed
Speak to school staff for support with applications
🧠 Supporting confidence and independence
We understand that preparing for work experience, CV writing and interviews can feel challenging.
Students are supported to:
Take small, structured steps
Build confidence gradually
Practise key skills in a safe environment
Develop independence over time
Families and staff work together to ensure that each student’s experience is positive, realistic and tailored to their needs.
Labour Market Information
Labour Market Information
At Abingdon House School Purley, we help our learners understand the world of work and the opportunities available to them through Labour Market Information (LMI). LMI provides detailed statistics about jobs, salaries, skills employers are looking for, labour market trends, and future career opportunities at national, regional, and local levels.
Why it matters: Learning how to access and use LMI helps our students make informed, ambitious decisions about their next steps in education, training, or employment.
Key UK LMI resources:
Nomis – Labour Market Profile: Official statistics for regions and local areas.
Careerometer – Institute for Employment Studies: Quick access to jobs, salaries, and career pathways.
Supporting our learners Students at Abingdon House School Purley are guided through these resources as part of our Careers curriculum. They receive support to explore sectors, understand trends, and connect labour market insights to their own skills, interests, and ambitions.
Learner Destination Data
Learner Destination Data
At Abingdon House School Purley, we are committed to preparing our students for life beyond school, helping them explore their strengths, interests, and future pathways so they can make their best next step – whether that be further education, training, or the world of work.
We are dedicated to supporting every student to achieve their full potential and to break barriers, challenging expectations of what a person with additional learning needs can achieve.
We will have our first leavers in July 2026.
Destination information for these students will be shared soon after.
At Abingdon House School Purley, we believe it is essential to understand and celebrate the impact of our careers programme on our learners. As a new school, we are still building our data, but we have already put in place a robust framework to monitor and enhance the effectiveness of our provision, ensuring every student is supported to make confident, ambitious choices for their future.
We will do this in several ways:
Tracking learner destinations
We will identify and analyse the destinations of our year 11 learners, taking into account their prior attainment.
As our first leavers will be graduating in July 2026, this data will be collected and reported after that time.
Pathways we will record include further study (both A-Level and Vocational options), Apprenticeships, T-Levels and Traineeships.
Longitudinal tracking
Learners will be tracked for three years after leaving year 11 to review course or apprenticeship changes.
We will monitor the proportion progressing to Level 3 courses or Apprenticeships, considering prior attainment at Key Stage 2.
This will be alongside feedback from learners, parents and carers, employers and staff. The methods for collecting this feedback will be shared ahead of students completing their studies with us in July.
Sector-based outcomes will be analysed to ensure careers guidance aligns with labour market opportunities and promotes equality of opportunity.
