Preparing for Adulthood and Careers
Preparing for adult life begins long before a pupil is ready to leave Cedars. Across Low Fell and High Heworth, we help pupils develop communication, relationships, independence and confidence in ways that are meaningful to them.
Our approach covers four areas of preparing for adulthood:
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Employment and further learning: exploring interests, developing skills and considering future options
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Independent living: making choices and building everyday skills
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Friends, relationships and community: connecting with others and taking part in local life
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Good health: understanding and supporting physical and emotional wellbeing.
These areas are part of learning throughout a pupil’s time at Cedars. From Year 9, preparation for adulthood becomes an explicit focus of their Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) reviews. Pupils and families are involved in planning what comes next.
Building skills across both sites
At High Heworth, students develop practical and vocational skills through a changing range of subjects, community learning, travel training and social enterprise, including our Coffee Hub, Café Under the Canopy. From Key Stage 3 they take part in vocational tasters, building towards Key Stage 4 options and, in the sixth form, our Life Ready curriculum. Students can work towards qualifications and explore further education, training and employment routes suited to their aspirations.
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Learning beyond the classroom
Real experiences help pupils practise skills in different places and situations. At High Heworth, these have included community activities, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions and residential visits. Students have developed organisation, teamwork, communication and independence through taking part.
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Work-related learning may include meeting employers, exploring workplaces, activities in the on-site social enterprise outlet or a work experience placement. Opportunities are planned around each student’s interests, needs and support requirements.
Careers education and guidance
Careers education helps pupils and students understand their strengths and interests and explore possibilities for life after Cedars. Activities and guidance are adapted to their age, communication and learning needs.
We work with pupils, families, the local authority and other professionals to plan transitions. The right next step will differ for each young person. It might include further education, training, a supported internship, employment, volunteering or other ways to take part in community life.
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Our Work Skills programme
Work Skills is Cedars’ careers programme. It helps pupils explore their interests, recognise their strengths and learn about possible routes into further education, training, volunteering and employment. Activities are adapted to each pupil’s communication, learning and support needs. At High Heworth, Work Skills is delivered through Life Ready in the sixth form, building on vocational tasters and options earlier in the school.
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We use the eight Gatsby Benchmarks to plan and review Work Skills. They help us consider how pupils learn about future options through the curriculum, meet employers and education providers, experience workplaces where appropriate, and receive guidance when making decisions. At Cedars, these opportunities need to be meaningful for each pupil, so the way they take part may look different from one young person to another.
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We review the programme to identify what is working well and where pupils need more opportunities or support.
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Careers Leader and programme information
Careers Leader: Julie Vincent
Careers Co-ordinators: Louise Moens, Naomi Godfrey
Email: lousie.moens@cedarstrust.org.uk | naomi.godfrey@cedarstrust.org.uk
For colleges, training providers and employers
We welcome contact from providers who can help students learn about their options after Cedars. Please contact our Careers Lead to discuss opportunities to work with us.