Careers

At Sunnydown School, we believe that every student deserves ambitious opportunities, meaningful experiences and the support to build a successful future beyond education.

Our careers provision is carefully designed to develop confidence, independence, resilience and employability through a personalised and nurturing approach. Rooted within our wider Framework of Intent, pupils are supported through real world learning, employer encounters, vocational experiences and preparation for adulthood pathways that reflect their individual strengths and aspirations.

Guided by the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance, we are committed to ensuring that every young person leaves Sunnydown feeling prepared, valued and ready to thrive in the next stage of their journey.

Provider Access Statement

Sunnydown School is committed to ensuring that every student has access to a broad range of education, training and employment pathways. We welcome opportunities to work with colleges, apprenticeship providers, employers and other organisations to help our students make informed decisions about their futures.

As a specialist school for boys with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), we recognise the importance of making encounters meaningful, accessible and relevant to individual strengths, aspirations and communication needs.

Student entitlement

All students in Years 8–11 will have opportunities to meet a range of education and training providers, including at least four statutory encounters:

• Two encounters with different providers during Years 8–9.
• Two further encounters with different providers during Years 10–11.

These encounters will take place during the school day, with opportunities for students to ask questions and explore the qualifications, training and careers available to them.

Access for providers

We welcome requests from education and training providers wishing to speak to our students. Encounters may include assemblies, small-group workshops, careers events, practical demonstrations and visits.

All activities will be planned in partnership with our careers team to ensure they are accessible and appropriate for our students.

Facilities and arrangements

Sunnydown School can provide appropriate teaching spaces and presentation facilities, subject to availability. All visiting providers must follow the school's safeguarding and visitor procedures.

Requests will be considered in relation to students' needs, the relevance of the proposed activity and the school calendar. Where a proposed date is unsuitable, alternative arrangements will be explored.

Contact

Education and training providers wishing to arrange an encounter should contact the school's Careers Leader.

Our careers lead is Mr Ben Wright who can be contacetd via the school's reception.