Careers
Independent Grammar School: Durham
Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) Policy
The Independent Grammar School: Durham is committed to providing a high-quality, coherent and aspirational programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). Our provision supports pupils to make informed, ambitious and appropriate decisions about their futures, consistent with the Independent School Standards.
This policy outlines the aims, structure and delivery of CEIAG at IGS:D. It forms part of the school’s curriculum arrangements and is supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work.
The principal statutory requirement is paragraph 2(2)(e) of the Schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. This requires pupils receiving secondary education to have access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that is presented impartially, enables informed choices about a broad range of career options and encourages pupils to fulfil their potential. Provision takes account of pupils’ ages, aptitudes and needs, including pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, in accordance with paragraph 2(1)(b)(i).
The school also takes account of the April 2026 Independent School Standards guidance, its equality and safeguarding obligations, and the requirements for effective leadership and management in Part 8 of the Standards.
The independent careers guidance and provider access duties under sections 42A and 42B of the Education Act 1997, as amended by the Education (Careers Guidance in Schools) Act 2022 and the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, apply to maintained schools and academies, rather than to IGS:D as an independent school. The school draws on the Department for Education’s careers guidance as good practice and uses the updated Gatsby Benchmarks as a framework for developing and evaluating its provision.
The CEIAG programme at IGS:D aims to:
- Provide impartial, accurate and up-to-date careers guidance.
- Equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed decisions.
- Ensure pupils understand the full range of academic, vocational and technical pathways, including apprenticeships.
- Offer meaningful encounters with employers, employees, training providers and further and higher education institutions.
- Provide access to labour market information and workplace experiences.
- Support pupils with SEND or additional needs through personalised guidance and reasonable adjustments.
- Promote equality of opportunity and challenge stereotypes.
- Prepare pupils for adulthood, employment and lifelong learning.
For pupils in Years 7–9, the programme includes introduction to careers concepts, personal strengths and interests; enterprise activities and exposure to a range of career sectors; curriculum-linked careers learning across subjects; and guidance on subject choices and their implications for future pathways.
For pupils in Years 10 and 11, the programme includes:
- One-to-one independent careers guidance meetings.
- Work experience opportunities.
- Access to labour market information and appropriate online careers resources.
- Encounters with employers and education and training providers.
- Support with post-16 applications, interviews and transition planning.
Where the school provides Key Stage 5 education, pupils receive tailored guidance on university, further education, apprenticeships and employment, together with UCAS support, interview preparation and employer engagement.
All pupils receiving secondary education have access to impartial careers guidance and external sources of careers information. One-to-one independent guidance meetings in Years 10 and 11 are delivered by suitably qualified external careers advisers. Guidance:
- Is impartial and in the best interests of the pupil.
- Covers a broad range of pathways, including further and higher education, apprenticeships and technical qualifications.
- Is differentiated to meet individual needs, including SEND and relevant EHC plan provision.
- Encourages pupils to fulfil their potential without limiting choices through stereotypes or favouring the school’s own provision.
The Careers Lead maintains records of guidance meetings and agreed next steps securely, in accordance with the school’s Data Protection Policy. Pupils receive a record of their guidance and are supported to review their plans.
The school welcomes providers of technical education, apprenticeships and vocational training to contribute to its careers programme. Pupils are given meaningful opportunities to learn about these routes alongside academic pathways, through assemblies, workshops, visits, careers events and curriculum-linked activities appropriate to their year group.
Providers may request access by contacting the school office and asking for the Careers Lead. Requests are considered in relation to pupils’ needs, the careers programme, timing, facilities and safeguarding arrangements. The Careers Lead coordinates access and ensures that information is impartial and accessible. The statutory requirement for six provider encounters across Years 8–13 does not apply to IGS:D; provider engagement is planned to meet the needs of the year groups taught at the school.
The Principal:
- Ensures compliance with the Independent School Standards and other applicable duties.
- Oversees the strategic direction of CEIAG.
- Ensures adequate staffing and resources.
The Careers Lead:
- Designs and implements the careers programme and supporting plans.
- Coordinates employer encounters, work experience and provider access.
- Ensures relevant staff training and quality assurance.
- Maintains guidance records and destination information, where available, in accordance with data protection requirements.
- Works with the SENCO to ensure accessible provision and appropriate support for transition.
Teachers embed careers learning within curriculum subjects, promote high aspirations and challenge stereotypes. Parents and carers are encouraged to support pupils in decision-making and attend guidance meetings where appropriate, while respecting pupils’ individual interests and aspirations.
IGS:D provides meaningful work experience opportunities that are safe, appropriate and aligned with pupils’ interests. Arrangements include suitable preparation, risk assessment and safeguarding measures, with reasonable adjustments where required. The Careers Lead coordinates placements with employers and external partners, confirms supervision and emergency contact arrangements, and provides opportunities for pupils to reflect on their learning afterwards.
All CEIAG activities, including external provider visits and work experience, follow the school’s Safeguarding Policy and current Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Checks and supervision are determined by the nature of the activity and the person’s role; a DBS check is not automatically required for every visitor or placement supervisor. Pupils are told how to report concerns, and any safeguarding concern is referred promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
The CEIAG programme is evaluated through:
- Pupil voice and evidence of pupils’ understanding of their options and next steps.
- Parent feedback.
- Employer and provider feedback.
- Destination information, where available.
- Annual review against the updated Gatsby Benchmarks.
- Leadership oversight and checks on effective implementation of the Independent School Standards.
This policy is reviewed annually by the Senior Leadership Team and approved by the School Board. The Board receives information on the effectiveness of careers provision and any improvements required.
The school publishes this policy on its website and makes it available to parents on request. Information about the careers programme and how to contact the Careers Lead is also made available to pupils and parents. These arrangements support access to information about the school’s curriculum; Part 6 of the Independent School Standards does not impose a specific requirement to publish a separate CEIAG policy.
Independent Grammar School: Durham
Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) Policy
The Independent Grammar School: Durham is committed to providing a high-quality, coherent and aspirational programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). Our provision supports pupils to make informed, ambitious and appropriate decisions about their futures, consistent with the Independent School Standards.
This policy outlines the aims, structure and delivery of CEIAG at IGS:D. It forms part of the school’s curriculum arrangements and is supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work.
The principal statutory requirement is paragraph 2(2)(e) of the Schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. This requires pupils receiving secondary education to have access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that is presented impartially, enables informed choices about a broad range of career options and encourages pupils to fulfil their potential. Provision takes account of pupils’ ages, aptitudes and needs, including pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, in accordance with paragraph 2(1)(b)(i).
The school also takes account of the April 2026 Independent School Standards guidance, its equality and safeguarding obligations, and the requirements for effective leadership and management in Part 8 of the Standards.
The independent careers guidance and provider access duties under sections 42A and 42B of the Education Act 1997, as amended by the Education (Careers Guidance in Schools) Act 2022 and the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, apply to maintained schools and academies, rather than to IGS:D as an independent school. The school draws on the Department for Education’s careers guidance as good practice and uses the updated Gatsby Benchmarks as a framework for developing and evaluating its provision.
The CEIAG programme at IGS:D aims to:
- Provide impartial, accurate and up-to-date careers guidance.
- Equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed decisions.
- Ensure pupils understand the full range of academic, vocational and technical pathways, including apprenticeships.
- Offer meaningful encounters with employers, employees, training providers and further and higher education institutions.
- Provide access to labour market information and workplace experiences.
- Support pupils with SEND or additional needs through personalised guidance and reasonable adjustments.
- Promote equality of opportunity and challenge stereotypes.
- Prepare pupils for adulthood, employment and lifelong learning.
For pupils in Years 7–9, the programme includes introduction to careers concepts, personal strengths and interests; enterprise activities and exposure to a range of career sectors; curriculum-linked careers learning across subjects; and guidance on subject choices and their implications for future pathways.
For pupils in Years 10 and 11, the programme includes:
- One-to-one independent careers guidance meetings.
- Work experience opportunities.
- Access to labour market information and appropriate online careers resources.
- Encounters with employers and education and training providers.
- Support with post-16 applications, interviews and transition planning.
Where the school provides Key Stage 5 education, pupils receive tailored guidance on university, further education, apprenticeships and employment, together with UCAS support, interview preparation and employer engagement.
All pupils receiving secondary education have access to impartial careers guidance and external sources of careers information. One-to-one independent guidance meetings in Years 10 and 11 are delivered by suitably qualified external careers advisers. Guidance:
- Is impartial and in the best interests of the pupil.
- Covers a broad range of pathways, including further and higher education, apprenticeships and technical qualifications.
- Is differentiated to meet individual needs, including SEND and relevant EHC plan provision.
- Encourages pupils to fulfil their potential without limiting choices through stereotypes or favouring the school’s own provision.
The Careers Lead maintains records of guidance meetings and agreed next steps securely, in accordance with the school’s Data Protection Policy. Pupils receive a record of their guidance and are supported to review their plans.
The school welcomes providers of technical education, apprenticeships and vocational training to contribute to its careers programme. Pupils are given meaningful opportunities to learn about these routes alongside academic pathways, through assemblies, workshops, visits, careers events and curriculum-linked activities appropriate to their year group.
Providers may request access by contacting the school office and asking for the Careers Lead. Requests are considered in relation to pupils’ needs, the careers programme, timing, facilities and safeguarding arrangements. The Careers Lead coordinates access and ensures that information is impartial and accessible. The statutory requirement for six provider encounters across Years 8–13 does not apply to IGS:D; provider engagement is planned to meet the needs of the year groups taught at the school.
The Principal:
- Ensures compliance with the Independent School Standards and other applicable duties.
- Oversees the strategic direction of CEIAG.
- Ensures adequate staffing and resources.
The Careers Lead:
- Designs and implements the careers programme and supporting plans.
- Coordinates employer encounters, work experience and provider access.
- Ensures relevant staff training and quality assurance.
- Maintains guidance records and destination information, where available, in accordance with data protection requirements.
- Works with the SENCO to ensure accessible provision and appropriate support for transition.
Teachers embed careers learning within curriculum subjects, promote high aspirations and challenge stereotypes. Parents and carers are encouraged to support pupils in decision-making and attend guidance meetings where appropriate, while respecting pupils’ individual interests and aspirations.
IGS:D provides meaningful work experience opportunities that are safe, appropriate and aligned with pupils’ interests. Arrangements include suitable preparation, risk assessment and safeguarding measures, with reasonable adjustments where required. The Careers Lead coordinates placements with employers and external partners, confirms supervision and emergency contact arrangements, and provides opportunities for pupils to reflect on their learning afterwards.
All CEIAG activities, including external provider visits and work experience, follow the school’s Safeguarding Policy and current Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Checks and supervision are determined by the nature of the activity and the person’s role; a DBS check is not automatically required for every visitor or placement supervisor. Pupils are told how to report concerns, and any safeguarding concern is referred promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
The CEIAG programme is evaluated through:
- Pupil voice and evidence of pupils’ understanding of their options and next steps.
- Parent feedback.
- Employer and provider feedback.
- Destination information, where available.
- Annual review against the updated Gatsby Benchmarks.
- Leadership oversight and checks on effective implementation of the Independent School Standards.
This policy is reviewed annually by the Senior Leadership Team and approved by the School Board. The Board receives information on the effectiveness of careers provision and any improvements required.
The school publishes this policy on its website and makes it available to parents on request. Information about the careers programme and how to contact the Careers Lead is also made available to pupils and parents. These arrangements support access to information about the school’s curriculum; Part 6 of the Independent School Standards does not impose a specific requirement to publish a separate CEIAG policy.
Discover more
If you would like to know more about life at IGS, or to book an in-person visit, contact us now.
Discover more
If you would like to know more about life at IGS, or to book an in-person visit, contact us now.