Careers
A comprehensive programme has been designed to support pupils’ personal development. Some parts of this programme, such as the careers guidance pupils receive, are well established and of high quality. Pupils and sixth-form students talk positively about taking part in work experience and learning about a range of further education opportunities and apprenticeships.
Ofsted Report 2025
Welcome from our Careers Team at Valley Park School
- Careers Lead: Gemma Lowe
- Careers Advisor: Ruth Culbreth
- Careers Link Governor: Kyle Siwek
- Careers Consultant at Kent and Medway Careers Hub: Louise Rochford
- Enterprise Advisor at Kent and Medway Careers Hub: Dan Corpe
Our main objective when it comes to careers education, information, advice and guidance is to ensure that our students have the best possible opportunities following their time in education and that they are the most prepared candidates when applying for their future options in a competitive world.
Careers education, information, advice and guidance is embedded in the structure of learning at Valley Park School and runs through the core of the curriculum. Assemblies, dedicated form times, group work, one to one support, parental meetings/presentations and work experience are just a few ways in which students can access careers guidance. The input is age appropriate and tailored to the individual needs of each student.
An impartial careers adviser is available to deliver careers education, information, advice and guidance to all students. This support is specifically designed for each year group and we continue to work with students once they have left us to ensure they have reached a secure future destination.
We utilise the Gatsby Benchmark Compass tool to ensure we are continually assessing and updating our careers programme to meet statutory requirements and the needs of our learners. In addition, all students use Unifrog to support them with careers related learning and decision making at pivotal transition points, through our PSHE spiral curriculum.
As well as a permanent, full time careers adviser, the school follow government guidance by inviting a range of employers and training providers to deliver sessions within school. If you would like to support our careers programme, use the Get In Touch form below.
Measuring Impact
Valley Park School follows the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Benchmarks to evaluate and enhance its careers provision. The school uses the "Compass" online self-evaluation tool to improve its practices, benchmarked against the Gatsby standards and other schools.
Key elements of the careers programme include:
- Maintaining records of student interviews for consistent advice.
- Incorporating Student Voice in the annual evaluation process.
- Publishing an annual destinations report that highlights students' post-school pathways, going beyond official performance table requirements.
For more information on the Gatsby Benchmarks, click here.
Annual Review: September 2025.
For further information on our careers programme and relevant contact details please see our Careers and Provider Access Policy below. Students and parents can access further impartial advice on the National Careers Service website.
Careers and Provider Access Policy
Get In Touch
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Miss G Lowe - Careers Leader
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Mrs R Culbreth - Careers Advisor