Careers
Ofsted Inspection
The report following Ofsted’s non-graded inspection visit in November 2024 stated: “Pupils develop knowledge and skills which will stand them in good stead for their future. The school’s personal development curriculum and careers programme are both very thoughtfully planned and delivered. Content is age appropriate and relevant to the school’s context.” “The school has a very varied network of partners and alumni. These people inspire pupils and provide them with impartial information about next steps in education and employment, including apprenticeships.”
In our previous, graded Ofsted inspection in November 2019, the school was judged to be Outstanding in every respect. Ofsted reported that: ‘Careers education is an important part of the curriculum. Students are well informed about different career pathways and future study options. Rich learning opportunities cultivate work-related skills.’ Ofsted highlighted the thoroughness and appropriateness of Careers education for our students, and commented that the programme is well planned with excellent advice and guidance.
We obtain formal and informal feedback from students and staff on our career provision programme and which allows us to assess its impact on our students’ readiness for their next steps.
DCGS Careers Vision
To provide all students with a first class planned careers education programme of activities to support their managing next steps, transitions and pathways at all stages of their learning; to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of today and throughout their future lives after Challoner’s, and to achieve economic and personal well-being; to promote the school’s values of aspiration, kindness and resilience.
DCGS Careers Strategy
To support, advise and guide students in making informed, appropriate and realistic choices; to leverage the ‘Lifelong Challoner’s’ Mindset of alumni; to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure full compliance with statutory guidance from the DfE. The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework used by all schools and colleges to ensure a consistent standard of careers education to students before they leave education. The eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance are:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each young person
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
DCGS Careers Leadership
Ms Lindsey Ashton as Careers Leader & Assistant Director of Sixth Form (UCAS & Careers) is responsible for leading the whole-school careers vision, strategy and programme. Mrs Deb Beazley, our Careers Adviser is supported by the Senior Prefect (UCAS & Careers), and backed by the Governing Body and Senior Leadership Team, Curriculum Area Team Leaders and Subject Leaders, supported by their Curriculum Subject Champions and subject teams, are responsible for linking curriculum learning with careers.
All students have the opportunity and are encouraged to book an appointment for a personal careers guidance interview with our qualified Careers Adviser, Mrs D Beazley, who is based in the Visits Office. These are available at any time in a student's education to meet their individual needs. Every student will have at least one such interview scheduled by the age of 16, and opportunities for further interviews by the age of 18. Specific provision is made whenever significant study or career choices are being made, at such events as Parent Consultation Evenings, Results Days, Enrichment Day, Sixth Form Open Evening and the Higher Education Conference.
Classroom to Careers Newsletter
Classroom to Careers Newsletter June 2025
Classroom to Careers Newsletter May 2025
If you would like to get in touch, please contact us at careers@challoners.com or on 01494 787555.
DCGS Training Provider Access Policy
Employer Engagement
We are proud to maintain an excellent relationship with both local businesses and those further afield in order to give our students opportunities to have hands-on experience with employers. We are always happy to offer opportunities to employers, further education and higher education providers to engage with our students through assemblies, lectures and classrooms. If you would be interested in supporting our students please do not hesitate to get in touch at careers@challoners.com.
Challoners Connected
Leaving students are invited to join our alumni network and take advantages of opportunities to connect with over 5000 alumni based around the world. Further details can be found here.