Careers
During the Seven Year Learning Journey here at Presdales School, we are preparing students for their future in modern Britain, as resilient citizens that can achieve their own personal goals, while having the skills to adapt to the changing demands of the economy.
Meet the team …
Mrs Julie Stephenson
Deputy Headteacher
Careers Lead
Level 6 Certificate in Careers Leadership
Mrs Dominique Gray
Careers Coordinator
Mrs Alison Hobson
Careers Trustee
Mrs Sarah Gardiner
Navigating Careers
Level 6 Qualified Careers Guidance Advisor
To contact us about Careers Education at Presdales, please email careers@presdales.herts.sch.uk, telephone 01920 462210 or message via LinkedIn.
Quality in Careers Standard
Investor in Careers is an accredited national licensed awarding body for the Quality in Careers Standard status for careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) provision.
Presdales School has successfully completed and achieved the Quality In Careers Standard reaccreditation, through Investor In Careers, May 2023. We have fully met the necessary criteria and are now full holders of the award for the next three years.
“There are many areas of very good practice within the CEIAG programme at Presdales School, which include:
- A whole school approach to CEIAG, with strong Senior Management and Governor support
- A very committed and well organised Careers Leader (the Deputy Headteacher), who has worked hard to develop a comprehensive CEIAG programme
- Good links with parents/carers, who are kept up-to-date with developments in the careers programme and called upon to provide assistance with work-related learning events
- An extensive data base of Alumnae who regularly take part in CEIAG activities
- An impressive mock interview event for Year 10 students – the Big Interview Day
- Good use of the Unifrog portal to monitor and evaluate the careers programme and enable students to access up-to-date careers and labour market information
- Excellent career links within the Art Department, which could be built upon to increase consistency in careers across the curriculum in all subjects
- A comprehensive IAG programme in Year 11 where all students have a 50 minute careers guidance interview with the external Careers Adviser
Presdales School is fully meeting the Quality in Careers Standard, through Investor in Careers and everyone involved in the CEIAG programme should feel proud of the contribution they have made to its success.”
If you would like any further information on the Quality in Careers Standard, please visit https://cswgroup.co.uk/what-we-do/education/investor-in-careers/
Commitment to the Quality in Careers Standard
We are pleased to announce that Presdales School is currently undergoing the formal process of reaccreditation for the Quality in Careers Standard. This national award recognizes excellence in careers education, information, advice, and guidance (CEIAG).
By seeking reaccreditation, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing our students with the highest quality support as they navigate their future pathways. We look forward to showcasing our continued progress and the impact of our careers program during the assessment process.
How is Careers Education taught at Presdales School?
Presdales has implemented the eight Gatsby Benchmarks through PSHE lessons as well as wider curriculum learning opportunities.
The eight Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance:
1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance
We work closely with Navigating Careers, to provide 1:1 careers guidance interviews for students in Years 8-13 with a Level 6 Qualified Careers Guidance Advisor. Our advisor also offers drop in sessions during Tuesday lunchtimes. This support is in addition to meetings with Form Tutors, Heads of Year and members of the Senior Leadership Team that students will have when making a careers progression decision.
To enhance our provision we also work closely with the Careers and Enterprise Company and an Enterprise Advisor who review the Careers, Employability and Enterprise provision provided to ensure we are fully meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks.
The careers information published is reviewed every year in the summer term.
Year 7
Here is a breakdown of what to look out for over the coming year:
Key Dates for Your Diary
Autumn Term : Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ) – Starting Secondary School * Students will complete this during form time to help us tailor their careers support.
Thursday 11th February : Women in STEM Day
Thursday 4th March : Virtual Workplace Experience
Thursday 11th March : Trip to Aerozone Stansted * Please note: Capacity is limited to 29 students.
Ongoing Opportunities Throughout the Year
Fortnightly Form Time: Regular, bite-sized careers activities and discussions during registration.
Careers Month (March 2027): A whole month dedicated to expanding horizons with special events, guest speakers, and industry insights.
Lunchtime Drop-ins: Our Careers Advisor, Sarah Gardiner, is available during a Tuesday lunchtime throughout the school year for informal chats and questions.
National Apprenticeship Week 2027: A dedicated week exploring the exciting world of earn-while-you-learn pathways. Students will discover various apprenticeship levels and hear from real apprentices.
Careers in the Curriculum: Subject teachers will highlight how their lessons link to future job sectors, including a specialised PE Careers Week and STEM Week.
Please keep an eye out for updates via EduLink, and follow our latest stories in PressTales and on LinkedIn.
Enterprise Education Opportunities at Presdales School
Each year group has the opportunity to take part in enrichment opportunities to widen their enterprise skills.
• The whole school takes part in the annual Christmas Fair to raise funds for the Presdales PTA
• The whole school takes part in various activities to raise funds for the school charity and this is led by a sixth form team.
• Year 12 students can take part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme
Parent/Carer Database
We are trying to build up a careers programme that will support every student at Presdales School with their future decisions.
As part of this process we would like to increase the number of employer encounters that each student receives and it would be great if parents/carers could support us with this endeavour.
Please complete the short survey below detailing what support you feel you can offer.
Thank you in advance and please let us know if you have any questions: careers@presdales.herts.sch.uk
Careers
Useful Careers Websites for Parents/Carers
The following websites are recommended for parents/carers to be able to know how to support your child when they are making careers decisions. Please note that there are many more sites available, these are provided as a starting point to help you to support your child.
Talking Futures
www.talkingfutures.org.uk
Talking Futures has a range of resources to help you do further research and develop your careers conversations.
Services for Young People
https://www.servicesforyoungpeople.org/
SfYP have a variety of tools for both young people and parents to support careers choices.
National Careers Service
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
This is the government provided website to support careers education from the age of 13 – retirement!
Unifrog
https://www.unifrog.org/
Every student has a login for this complete destination platform. Parents/Carers can also have their own Unifrog account. Please click here for further information.
Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal
Find all you need to explore career opportunities in Hertfordshire – jobs, apprenticeships, support to make informed career decisions, explore the world of work in Hertfordshire, tips on gaining work experience, skills development, and lots more – here.
2023
Further Information
Year 13 Destinations 2025
Year 7 Aerozone Stansted Trip
Army STEM Day
