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Inspire and Aspire 2026-2031

Careers at United Learning

Our Careers programmes across all United Learning schools are underpinned by the following Objectives which aim to inspire students and provide aspirational opportunities. Furthermore, the Inspire and Aspire Objectives provide a clear foundation upon which schools can shape their Careers offer to ensure that it meets the needs of all students at key transition points.

Hover over the codes below to see more details for each commitment.

Year 7 Aims:

Our Year 7 objectives aim to provide a strong foundation in self-awareness, career understanding, and future opportunities while broadening their horizons and challenging stereotypes.

  • My Future
  • My Self
  • My Skills
  • My Knowledge
  • My Opportunities
  • My Options

My Future

To understand what a ‘career’ is and how school life and education shapes building a career pathway.

  • CE2, CE10,
  • CC1, CC2
  • GBM3, GBM4

My Self

To recognise their own interests, skills and strengths through completion of the Future Skills Questionnaire.

  • CE7, CE8, CE9
  • CC2
  • GBM3

My Skills

To be able to define to the concept of ‘employability skills’ and their importance.

  • CE7, CE8, CE9,
  • CC6, CC7, CC8
  • GBM2, GBM3

My Knowledge

To understand the concept of ‘labour market information’ and identity features which will impact future job opportunities.

  • CE1, CE5, CE9
  • CC6, CC7, CC8
  • GBM2, GBM3

My Opportunities

To meet a range of employers from various professions that explicitly challenge stereotypes.

  • CE6, CE10
  • CC3, CC6, CC8
  • GBM5

My Options

To be able to define what is meant by ‘Post-16’ and ‘Post-18’ study.

  • CE5
  • CC3, CC8
  • GBM7

Key Foci: Self-awareness, employability skills, recognition, stereotypes, challenge, post-16, post-18, careers, influence, pathways

Year 8 Aims:

Our Year 8 objectives support increase awareness among students to make informed, confident decisions about their future by linking education, skills development, and career opportunities.

  • My Future
  • My Self
  • My Skills
  • My Knowledge
  • My Opportunities
  • My Options

My Future

To be able to link their learning to future careers aspirations in the world of work.

  • CE1, CE2
  • CC1, CC2
  • GBM3

My Self

To be able to articulate their aspirations academically, professionally and personally.

  • CE5, CE6
  • C7, CC8,
  • GBM3, GBM8

My Skills

To have an awareness of their own employability skills and to engage in opportunities to develop these.

  • CE7, CE8
  • CC2, CC7
  • GBM2, GBM4

My Knowledge

To understand other routes into employment, including self-employment, entrepreneurship, volunteering, traineeships etc.

  • CE6
  • CC6, CC7
  • GBM3, GBM5

My Opportunities

To engage with speakers/providers that provide guidance and insights into both Further Education and Higher Education.

  • CE6
  • CC3
  • GBM7

My Options

To be able to identify educational pathways including both academic and vocational routes.

  • CE5
  • CC1
  • GBM3, GBM7

Key Foci: Aspirations, academic, personal, professional, awareness, employability skills, training routes, pathways, Further Education, Higher Education, vocational

Key Stage 4 Aims:

Our Key Stage 4 objectives aim to prepare students for Post-16 pathways by developing employability skills, gaining meaningful workplace experiences, building self-awareness, and understanding education and labour market opportunities.

  • My Future
  • My Self
  • My Skills
  • My Knowledge
  • My Opportunities
  • My Options

My Future

To engage with meaningful experiences of the workplace that support their aspirations and provide opportunities to demonstrate their employability/transferable skills. 

  • CE4
  • CC3, CC4, CC5
  • GBM5, GBM6

To engage with personal guidance and support and support to explore educational and career options. To be provided with an action plan that establishes clear strategic goals for their Post-16 intentions.

  • CE1, CE2
  • CC1, CC2, CC7
  • GMB3, GBM8

My Self

To develop core literacy, oracy and digital skills to support in preparation for the work, and to have an understanding of the expectations of providers and employers.

  • CE7, CE8
  • CC8
  • GBM2, GBM3

To learn presentation skills and techniques to support their preparation for the world of work and to be able to reflect on their strengths/areas for development.

  • CE7, CE8
  • CC1, CC2, CC7, CC8
  • GBM2, GBM3

My Skills

To understand the importance of self-awareness, self-determination and self-improvement as a learner to achieve their potential.

  • CE1, CE2
  • CC7
  • GBM3, GBM8

To understand the importance of continued improvement in both education and workplace settings and how to engage with this.

  • CE2, CE10
  • CC2, CC7
  • GBM3, GBM8

My Knowledge

To understand workplace safety and hazards and to know their rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

  • CE4, CE6
  • CC2, CC3, CC7
  • GBM2, GMB5, GBM6

To be able to research the labour market for local opportunities and understand where growth sectors are, both locally and nationally, and how this can affect future employment.

  • CE9
  • CC3
  • GBM2

My Opportunities

To interact with Post-16 providers to support their intended destination, with defined opportunities for feedback and reflection.

  • CE1, CE2, CE5
  • CC3
  • GBM7

To engage with a range of Post-16 encounters in order to make informed decisions on their options.

  • CE2, CE5
  • CC3
  • GBM7

My Options

To have a secure understanding of the range of Post-16 options.

  • CE5
  • CC6
  • GBM3, GBM4, GBM7

To have a clear, informed post-16 pathway and be supported in their approach to the application and transition to this, supported by the completion of the Future Skills Questionnaire.

  • CE1, CE2
  • CC1, CC6
  • GBM3, GBM7, GBM8

Key Foci: Post-16, self-awareness, guidance, action planning, labour market, transition, decision-making, workplace experience, digital, development

We commit that all students will

  • CE1 - Have access to impartial Careers guidance that enables them to make informed choices about their future
  • CE2 - Have access to a personalised plan that helps them to take responsibility for their future that is marched to their academic ability and aspirations
  • CE3 - Attend at least one visit to a University by the end of Key Stage 4, with further University visits before the end of Year 13
  • CE4 - Engage in meaningful experiences of the workplace during Key Stage 4 or Key Stage 5
  • CE5 - Have access to a wide range of providers that enable them to effectively determine the most suitable pathway for their studies post-16 and post-18
  • CE6 - Be provided with opportunities to hear from engaging speakers on a wide range of topics, across varied and diverse sectors and industries to challenge stereotypes and broaden aspirations
  • CE7 - Be provided with the appropriate resources and oracy skills to support them in undertaking interviews at key transition points
  • CE8 - Be provided with the appropriate resources and literacy skills to support them in undertaking written tasks (i.e., application forms, CVs) as key transition points
  • CE9 - Be provided with information in relation to the wider world of work such as finance, budgeting and employability skills
  • CE10 - Study a curriculum, across all subjects, that has tangible links to Careers and aspirations