At Millgate School, we are committed to ensuring that every young person is fully prepared for their next steps beyond Year 11. Our careers programme provides a structured and personalised pathway that supports pupils to develop confidence, gain real-world experience, and make informed decisions about their future. This work is underpinned by the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring a consistent and high-quality approach.
Work Experience
Our work experience offer is carefully planned to give pupils meaningful opportunities to explore the world of work in a supportive and personalised way, reflecting Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6 (encounters with employers and workplaces). We work closely with pupils, families, and LEBC to identify placements that match individual interests, strengths, and career aspirations. These experiences help pupils to develop key employability skills such as communication, teamwork, and responsibility, while also building their confidence in new environments.
Preparing for Post-16 Transition
We begin preparing pupils for post-16 education from Key Stage 4, ensuring they have access to clear information, guidance and opportunities to explore different pathways, in line with Gatsby Benchmarks 2 and 7 (learning from labour market information and encounters with further and higher education).
Pupils are supported to:
- Attend college open events and visits
- Speak directly with college staff and careers advisers
- Explore a range of courses and support available to them
For example, pupils have been supported to attend open evenings at Leicester College, where they can tour campuses, meet staff and understand the support available to them in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Early exposure to these opportunities helps pupils feel more confident about transition and supports them to make informed decisions about their future pathways.
Personalised Careers Guidance (Connexions)
We work in partnership with Connexions to ensure every pupil receives high-quality, personalised careers guidance, supporting Gatsby Benchmarks 3 and 8 (addressing the needs of each pupil and providing personal guidance).
Our students are supported by Ruth Boodhoo, from Connexions, who works closely with pupils, families, and staff to plan next steps.
This support includes:
- One-to-one meetings with pupils to discuss aspirations and options
- Personalised action plans outlining next steps after Year 11
- Ongoing communication with families to ensure everyone is clear about available pathways
Supporting Our Leavers
Transition support does not stop once pupils leave Millgate. This reflects our commitment to a stable careers programme and sustained outcomes (Gatsby Benchmark 1). We continue to work closely with Connexions and post-16 providers to help ensure a smooth transition into further education, training or employment.
Each pupil receives:
- tailored advice and guidance based on their individual needs
- support in applying for courses, apprenticeships or training opportunities
- follow-up contact to check that placements are suitable and that pupils are settling into their next setting
Through strong partnerships and personalised support, we ensure that every young person leaves Millgate with a clear plan and the confidence to take their next steps successfully.
Impact
Our careers and transition programme ensures that pupils leave Millgate with clear, personalised and supported destinations.
Pupils benefit from regular one-to-one guidance and action planning, ensuring that next steps are carefully considered and tailored to individual need. Our close partnership with Connexions ensures that pupils and families receive consistent specialist support before and after leaving school. Access to college visits and open events enables pupils to experience further education settings first-hand and make informed decisions about their future.
School tracking shows that pupils progress into a range of appropriate post-16 destinations, including college courses, apprenticeships and training pathways, with continued support in place to promote successful transition and sustained placements.
As a result, pupils leave Millgate with increased confidence, a clearer understanding of their future options, and the skills and support needed to successfully move into education, employment or training.