My Cartoon Workshop inspires learners
Some of our learners took part in a My Cartoon workshop run by the Three Discovery Programme in...
At Dysart School, our careers programme is carefully sequenced and personalised to meet the needs of our pupils, supporting their progression from Key Stage 3 through to Key Stage 5.
Our approach is ambitious and purposeful, with a clear focus on preparing pupils for life beyond school. Through practical, real-life experiences, pupils develop the confidence, independence and transferable skills needed to move successfully into their next stage.
We work closely with our pupils, families and external agencies to ensure that each pupil’s personal development, further education and future pathways are carefully matched to their individual needs, while remaining aspirational and meaningful.
Careers education at Dysart is not a standalone subject. It is embedded across the curriculum and daily school life, ensuring pupils can apply their learning in real and meaningful contexts.
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At Dysart School, we are committed to preparing every pupil for life beyond school by developing the confidence, independence and real-life skills they need for their future.
We aim to:
At Dysart, careers education is fully embedded across the curriculum and daily school life. Learning is purposeful, practical and rooted in real-life contexts, enabling pupils to develop and apply the skills they need for adulthood.
Pupils access a carefully sequenced range of opportunities, including:
These experiences are designed to build pupils’ independence, confidence and employability skills over time, ensuring they are well-prepared for their next stage.
Our careers programme is fully aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks and rigorously evaluated using Compass+, ensuring it remains ambitious, inclusive and responsive to the needs of all our pupils.
Dysart has contributed to the national Careers Impact Review, advocating for developments to Compass+ to better reflect the needs of pupils with SEND and strengthen inclusive practice across the sector.
This ongoing evaluation enables us to identify strengths, drive continuous improvement and ensure our provision not only meets statutory requirements, but is meaningful, personalised and aspirational for every pupil.
Pupils’ individual careers journeys are carefully tracked over time, including their experiences, development of key skills, aspirations and destinations. As a result, pupils leave Dysart with increasing independence, confidence and the ability to make informed decisions, supporting successful transitions into their next stage of education, employment or adulthood.
At Dysart School, our careers curriculum is sequenced and personalised to ensure pupils build knowledge, confidence and independence over time, preparing them for life beyond school.
Careers education is delivered through a structured, pathway-led programme from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, through the curriculum, enterprise, work-related learning, community experiences and personalised transition planning, ensuring increasing independence and preparation for adulthood at each stage.
Aim:
To introduce a structured Skills for Life pathway, enabling pupils to develop independence, communication and early work-related skills through purposeful, real-life experiences.
All Pupils will:
Aim:
To develop pupils’ independence, confidence and employability skills through accredited learning and increasingly authentic experiences of work.
Pupils:
To prepare pupils for their next stage by developing independence, employability and life skills, enabling successful transition into education, employment or adult life.
Students:
At Dysart School, accreditation is carefully personalised to reflect each pupil’s strengths, needs and aspirations. Pupils work towards a range of Ascentis qualifications, alongside functional and personal progress pathways, ensuring their achievements are both meaningful and recognised.
Our offer is continually reviewed and adapted to remain ambitious, relevant and responsive. By combining internal recognition (Footprints awards) with externally accredited qualifications, we ensure all pupils experience success and are well-prepared for their next stage in education, employment or adulthood.
Some of our learners took part in a My Cartoon workshop run by the Three Discovery Programme in...
Parents and Carers were invited to attend a Futures Fair, jointly organised at Bedelsford Schoo...
Asteroid Class has launched an exciting mini enterprise this term – a Car Wash & Hoov...
Pupils took a trip to the bank to deposit £160 in cash—money they proudly earned participating ...
Our pupils move on to a range of appropriate and aspirational destinations, including:
This reflects the strong progress pupils make over time. They develop increasing independence, confidence and real-life skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for their next stage and able to transition successfully into adulthood.
Progression Within the Orchard Hill College Academy Trust
Dysart is part of the Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, providing pupils with direct access to Orchard Hill College and its specialist post-16 pathways. This strong partnership ensures continuity of learning, enabling pupils to progress into further education with confidence, independence and the skills needed for adult life.
Richmond upon Thames College is a further education college located in Twickenham that offers a broach and innovative curriculum for students age 16+/
Apprenticeships & Further Education
Nescot offers a range of pathways including apprenticeships, vocational courses and supported learning programmes. Pupils can develop practical skills, gain qualifications and prepare for employment in a structured college environment.
Residential Living
St Piers provides residential education for young people with SEND, supporting independence, life skills and preparation for adulthood within a structured and supportive living environment.
Specialist / Sensory
Great Oaks offers a personalised curriculum combining vocational, educational and sensory learning. Programmes are tailored to individual needs, supporting progression into adulthood and meaningful next steps.
Independent Living Skills
The Aurora Centre offers specialist programmes focused on independence, communication and life skills, supporting pupils to build confidence and prepare for adult living.
Vocational Skills
Merrist Wood provides hands-on vocational courses, particularly in land-based studies such as horticulture, animal care and outdoor learning. These courses support pupils to develop practical work skills and independence.
At Dysart, we believe strong relationships make the difference. By working closely with families, we create a supportive community where pupils feel understood, valued and able to grow in confidence and independence.
We work closely with our pupils, families and a range of external agencies to ensure that each pupil’s personal development, further education and future pathways are carefully matched to their individual needs, while remaining aspirational and meaningful.
Guidance is provided at every key stage transition, supporting pupils and families to understand available options, including future destinations and the qualifications offered at Dysart.
We maintain strong links with further education providers to ensure that transitions beyond Dysart are well-planned, personalised and successful.
Dysart School is committed to providing high-quality careers guidance and advice. Our Provider Access Policy outlines how education and training providers can engage with pupils to share information about future opportunities.
We also work in partnership with a range of organisations to ensure our careers provision meets statutory requirements and reflects best practice. These include:
These partnerships help shape our careers programme and ensure pupils have access to meaningful, relevant and up-to-date opportunities beyond Dysart School.
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