In 2013 the Gatsby Foundation commissioned Sir John Holman to research what actions could improve career guidance in England. From this he developed the eight Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance, which define world-class career guidance. At EBS, we have taken onboard all of the recommendations of the research and use it to as a framework structure for our careers education.
The EBS Careers Programme is embedded within our ethos and delivered through a spiral careers curriculum from Year 7 to Year 13. Careers is a whole-school priority, with leaders and staff across all subjects playing an active role in preparing students for their futures.
We regularly share up-to-date information about career pathways, labour market trends and opportunities through assemblies, tailored sessions, displays, newsletters and social media, ensuring students and families are well informed.
Our in-house Careers Advisor provides personalised guidance for all students, with a strong focus on inclusion. We are committed to supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged students, including those with SEND, to overcome barriers and pursue aspirational pathways.
Teachers explicitly link curriculum content to career pathways, helping students understand how their learning connects to future opportunities. These links are reinforced through faculty webpages and options materials.
Our well-established Lunchtime Career Talks programme offers students regular opportunities to engage with a diverse range of professionals. These encounters include both in-person and virtual experiences, encouraging meaningful interaction and insight into different industries.
All Year 10 students complete a week of work experience, either through our extensive network of contacts or self-placement. Staff provide support throughout, including preparation and follow-up, to ensure a valuable and reflective experience.
We maintain strong links with local colleges, universities and training providers. Students benefit from visits, workshops and guest speakers, broadening their understanding of post-16 and post-18 pathways. All Year 12 students will visit a Russell Group/high achieving university.
Students have access to careers guidance throughout their time at EBS, including key transition points at the end of Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and during Key Stage 5. We also track student destinations and maintain relationships with alumni to inform and inspire current students.
In addition to careers advice within subjects, our Careers Education Programme is embedded into the PHSEE programme throughout the years, with more tailored focus for the older year groups.
At EBS, we use Unifrog to help students explore their future options with confidence. The platform allows them to discover careers, compare pathways and record their progress as they begin to shape their next steps. It also builds key skills such as reflection, goal-setting and decision-making, which are essential for success beyond school.
We have a range of ways to keep both students and parents/carers up to date with the latest careers information and opportunities. Upcoming events are shared in our Tuesday Letters and on the Careers Noticeboard, while our Careers Newsletter provides key updates, highlights and reminders about what is coming up next. In addition, information is shared via our EBS Careers SharePoint, Microsoft Teams and on X.
The school normally arranges at least two lunchtime talks per term from employers in different employment sectors. Students from across all years are encouraged to sign up attend. Below are a few examples of previous sessions.
Information about other educational and training providers will be advertised on the school careers notice board.
Below are identified career websites that students can use to access careers information.
Unifrog is best suited to provide information on any of the following:
If you have a link that you think would be useful to share with the EBS community or any questions about the links provided, please email sdirek@eastbarnetschool.com.
Careerometer can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations, help you learn about different occupations and identify potential careers. It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation.
We love to hear from previous students of East Barnet School and are always keen to keep in touch during their onward adventures. In 2011 we celebrated our 75th anniversary and in 2021 our 85th anniversary – both events saw students from across the decades (even in their 90s!) return for a celebration in our new building.
East Barnet School has a long and proud history, with only five Headteachers leading the school over a period of over 80 years. Once students join our school, they begin a lifetime’s association with our community, and many come back to work as teachers or support staff, whilst others send their own children (and even grandchildren) to the school, or offer support as mentors, coaches, interviewers, etc. We also offer former students opportunities for work placements so that they can gain experience, careers advice, or just a sense of belonging to such a vibrant and stimulating community. Former members of staff also remain part of our community, and many of them come back for social occasions or even for career advice and support.
The formal opening of our new school building in March 2011, brought together at least one student from every year group since the school opened in 1937, as well as many dignitaries, local headteachers, and friends of EBS; many visitors described it as the most moving and inspiring day they had spent in any school. Former EBS students came from Australia, New Zealand, and from all parts of the United Kingdom.
“I meet people that want to get into journalism all the time, and the advice I would give them is do something else first. I think that working in a bar, a cafe or a golf club; you meet all different people, they tell you their stories; it means that you can network with everyone. It is that experience, I think, that lends itself to being a good journalist.”
“When I was at school I had to do a lot of work experience to get into medical school in the first place. I had to prove that I was dedicated to it and also make sure I really wanted to do it.”
“There is something nice and tangible about being able to create something other people can see. You are producing stuff that goes on BBC1 or BBC2, and people think oh yeah, I recognise that; I saw that the other day.”
Whether you are a recent leaver, or you have been away for a while, we are delighted that you have taken this opportunity to keep in touch with us and hope that you will take the time to register as a member of the EBS alumni.
The aim of the EBS Alumni is to offer former students, teachers, parents and supporters of East Barnet School opportunities to maintain an active link with our school. We hope to keep you up to date with developments within the school and planned reunions.
By establishing a network of people linked to the school and to each other, we hope to strengthen links with the working community that we can make connections and provide opportunities for both our current and former students. We plan to offer various opportunities for you to share some (or a lot!) of what you have learnt and experienced so far with our students.
The best way to keep in touch with us (and so we can keep in touch with you), is to follow us on LinkedIn. It is also a great platform to meet old friends and see what they have been up to since you all left. Who knows, connecting with an EBS student, could be the next step on your career ladder!
