Careers Policy and Strategy

Willow Dene places the needs of each student at the centre of all learning and experiences. This ethos is reflected in our Careers Programme (please see below). It has been developed to meet the specific individual needs of our young people whilst following the government Careers Strategy and Statutory Guidance and completion of the Gatsby Benchmarks.  

At Willow Dene the planned Careers Programme centres upon our young people’s individual interests and strengths in relation to their future, work and further education. These areas are developed from Year 7 to Year 14 through the school curriculum and through career specific additionality within our Secondary Curriculum.  

• In Key Stage 3 this takes place via Special Interest Afternoons and Enterprise Projects.  

• In Key Stage 4 children complete Accredited Learning via AQA Unit Award Schemes, with children also completing Positive Contribution and Futures Mapping projects.  

• In Key Stage 5 previous careers learning is developed in practical, real-life learning through our business ventures, Forever Friends, Compost Crew, Creations and Willow’s Delish. Through these, young people operate real businesses, both within school and in the local community.  

Please see our Careers Programme below for detailed information regarding this.  

The impact of our Careers Programme is measured externally through termly assessments using the Careers and Enterprise Company Assessment tool, to ensure we consistently work towards achieving the Gatsby Careers Benchmarks. Willow Dene is a member of the Local London Careers Hub and are keen to support careers learning both in school and through the wider careers network. We received a ‘Highly Commended’ award for our Careers Programme in 2022 at the Mayor of London Careers Hubs Awards.  

The Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Policy is led by Mark Clayton. If you wish to know more or are able to support our Careers Programme, please contact:  

Mark Clayton  

Assistant Head - Careers Leader.  

Telephone: 0208 854 9841  

Email: mclayton@willowdene.compassps.uk  

Further information about supporting our Careers Programme can be found in our Careers Programme and Careers Access Policy below. These documents were reviewed in September 2023 and will be reviewed again in September 2026.