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My Future

Preparing for life beyond Sutton

My Future helps pupils discover what they enjoy, recognise their strengths and begin to understand what they might like to do when they leave Sutton School. We want every pupil to have the opportunity to explore different jobs, develop practical and transferable skills, experience the world of work and make informed choices about their future.

From their early years at Sutton through to Year 11, pupils are supported to build their confidence, develop their aspirations and prepare for their next steps. This may include further education, employment, volunteering or other pathways.

Our approach is personalised for each pupil. We recognise that every young person's future will look different, and we work with pupils, families and professionals to help them identify and prepare for a pathway that reflects their interests, strengths, needs and aspirations.

My Future brings together three connected areas:

  • Careers & Work-Related Learning – exploring the world of work and developing workplace skills through real-life experiences.
  • Vocational Studies – exploring different work sectors, developing transferable skills and, where appropriate, working towards recognised qualifications.
  • Next Steps – supporting pupils and families to plan for life after Sutton, including further education, employment, volunteering and other post-16 opportunities.

Together, these experiences help pupils understand who they are, what they can do and what they might do next, supporting their individual journey towards independence.

Careers & Work-Related Learning

Pupils engage in Careers and Work-Related Learning throughout their time at Sutton School. Opportunities increase in depth and relevance as pupils move through the school, supporting them to develop an understanding of the world of work and their own future aspirations.

In Years 7 and 8, pupils develop early careers and work-related skills through their Duke of Edinburgh experiences and wider curriculum opportunities. This includes developing teamwork, responsibility, communication, problem-solving and practical skills.

In Years 9 to 11, pupils begin to explore different pathways and areas of employment that reflect their interests and strengths. Pupils are offered opportunities to develop practical skills within areas of work, such as construction, engineering, hair and beauty, mechanics and other vocational sectors. These experiences help pupils understand how the skills they are developing in school can be applied to the world of work.

We track pupils' work-related learning experiences across four key areas:

  • Undertaking work-related tasks
  • Knowledge of working practices
  • Being in employment
  • Awareness of employment opportunities

Work-related learning is supported through a range of trips, workshops, employer encounters, careers events and practical experiences. We work with external organisations and professionals to bring real-world experiences into school, while pupils also have opportunities to visit workplaces, colleges and other settings.

In Years 10 and 11, pupils have opportunities to participate in work experience, developing their confidence, independence and understanding of workplace expectations.

The programme is underpinned by the Gatsby Benchmarks and is adapted to meet the individual needs of our pupils, including pupils with SEND. It includes careers education, work-related learning, employer encounters, workplace experiences, preparation for adulthood, travel training, volunteering and support with transition. 

Our Careers Leader 

Mrs E. Holder – Careers Leader 

Email: eholder@sutton.dudley.sch.uk 
Telephone: 01384 958400 

Our Careers Leader is responsible for developing and coordinating the school's Careers and WRL programme and works with pupils, families, staff, employers, colleges, training providers and other partners. 

SEND / Careers Support 

Miss C. Taylor – SENDCo / Assistant Head Teacher 

Email: ctaylor@sutton.dudley.sch.uk 
Telephone: 01384 958400 

Our Careers Leader works closely with the SENDCo and wider school team to ensure that careers guidance and WRL opportunities are accessible and appropriate for individual pupils. Additional support is provided where pupils require different or personalised approaches to exploring their future options. 

 

Our Careers Programme 

Our full Careers and WRL programme can be viewed here: 

[View our Careers and Work-Related Learning Programme Summary] 

The programme is reviewed regularly to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of our pupils and reflects current opportunities and guidance. 

Further information for parents, carers, teachers, staff, pupils and employers can be found here. 

Careers across the curriculum

Careers learning is not limited to one lesson or subject. Pupils make connections between their learning and the world of work across the curriculum, helping them to recognise the skills they already have and identify skills they may need to develop for their future.

Pupils are encouraged to explore their interests, discuss their aspirations and reflect on the experiences they enjoy. This helps them to develop a growing understanding of the opportunities available to them.

Vocational Studies

Vocational Studies provides pupils with opportunities to explore a broad range of work sectors while developing practical and transferable skills for life beyond school.

Where appropriate, pupils access Pathway Vocational lessons with their class teacher. Over a two-year programme, pupils work towards recognised vocational qualifications while developing their understanding of the world of work.

Qualifications available include:

  • BTEC Level 1 Introductory to Vocational Studies – Award, Certificate or Diploma
  • BTEC Entry Level 1–3 Introductory to Vocational Studies – Award, Certificate or Extended Certificate

Through the course, pupils develop skills including:

  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Organisation
  • Time management
  • Problem-solving
  • Working safely
  • Following instructions
  • Taking responsibility
  • Developing personal progression plans

Pupils are given opportunities to explore different work sectors and consider how their skills and interests may connect to future study, employment and volunteering.

Vocational Studies therefore provides an important link between what pupils learn in school and what they may go on to do beyond school.

Next Steps

Next Steps supports pupils as they prepare for their transition beyond Sutton School. We recognise that every pupil's journey will be different, and we work with pupils, families and relevant professionals to help identify appropriate pathways and support successful transitions.

As pupils move towards leaving Sutton, they are supported to explore their options and develop an understanding of the opportunities available to them, including further education, training, employment, volunteering and other post-16 pathways.

This includes:

  • Annual reviews and EHCP planning
  • Discussions around pupils' aspirations and future goals
  • Connections meetings and transition planning
  • Visits to colleges and other post-16 settings
  • Opportunities to meet providers and professionals
  • Sharing information with families about available pathways
  • Supporting pupils to develop personal progression plans
  • Preparing pupils for the practical and social aspects of transition

Pupils are encouraged to have a voice in decisions about their future and to develop self-advocacy skills, helping them to communicate their interests, strengths, needs and aspirations.

Our aim is to ensure that pupils leave Sutton with a clear understanding of their next steps, the skills to support their transition and the confidence to continue developing towards independence.