Welcome to our Careers/Futures Page

Since September 2013 the Education Act of 2001 placed schools under a duty to ensure that all registered pupils in Years 8-13 have access to independent, accurate and impartial information, advice and guidance. The Department for Education has published statutory guidance (most recently updated in July 2021) for maintained schools on their duty to provide careers guidance. In September 2022, this duty was extended to pupils in Year 7 and students aged up to 25 with a current Education Health Care Plan.

Careers guidance under this duty will:

• be presented in an impartial manner

• include information on the full range of post-16 education or training options,

• promote the best interests of the pupils to whom it is given.

The DfE on 4th December 2017 also updated its statutory careers guidance for schools. Governing Boards needs to ensure that the school has published a careers programme and clear advice and guidance which meets the school’s needs. The government also expects Governing Boards to ensure that the schools careers strategy is developed in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks and informed by the requirements set out. Our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Policy is available here and this is reviewed annually.

The Westminster FUTURES Programme also follows the 6 learning areas of the new CDI framework which sets out what learners should know and be able to do by the time they leave education.

We are keen to hear your feedback about how we can help you and your child prepare for their next steps.  Please leave us some feedback or contact us careers@westminster.sandwell.sch.uk