Work Experience

Pond Meadow Statement of intent:

Post 16, our curriculum is a combination of curriculum based and functional skills. It runs over a 3-year cycle, which allows students to develop a range of experiences and help students to prepare for life after Pond Meadow.

Learners are grouped into 3 pathways and follow an appropriate curriculum which combines appropriate levels of experiences within the wider community. Students are supported into a pre formal, semi formal and formal pathway This enables us to offer a highly personalised program that considers learners’ individual needs, level of study, skills, interests, aspirations and long-term outcomes.

Our intent at Pond Meadow is to deliver a curriculum that is relevant, engaging and ambitious, providing challenge for all learners, enabling the best possible progression towards their own EHCP outcomes and help to prepare them for life away from Pond Meadow School. Students also consolidate their learning in school with off site experiences in the community. This has included going to a local gym, swimming at a sports centre, completing tennis session at a school, orienteering at National trust parks and, use of local leisure facilities.

We offer the ASDAN Personal Progress qualification, which enables all learners to have their achievements recognised within a nationally recognised qualification framework and enables all students to have a recognisable achievement. Our formal learners also have the opportunities to complete NOCN accreditation, this is an entry level award in English and Maths. Students have completed Level 1 and 2, with some students completing Level 3.

All learners have the opportunity to participate in work related learning in a way that is appropriate and of benefit to them. This will support all our students to develop and practice key and functional skills in a range of real-life settings and situations with a wider range of people.  This could include classroom and school-based jobs, enterprise sessions or offsite work experience for those who this is deemed appropriate for. We currently have learners undertaking weekly work experience in a shop, Guildford County running a tuck shop, completing RDA horse care qualifications, we have worked with Forging futures to complete cookie projects and have worked with Surrey choices to set up opportunities for students in a range of settings. In September as part of our new build, we will also be running our own café which would be supported by students in the school.

Learners also work towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award. There are four sections; Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. For each individual section successfully completed, learners will achieve a certificate and if they complete all four, they will receive their award. Students in post 16 have completed the bronze award with some students completing the sliver award.

Intent of our careers programme– What we do

Our careers programme is designed to provide a structured, inclusive, and aspirational pathway for all students from Year 7 through to Year 14. We aim to equip learners with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to transition successfully into adulthood, whether that be further education, employment, or supported living.

We focus on:

• Developing self-awareness, independence, and resilience
• Broadening aspirations and understanding of the world of work
• Providing meaningful encounters with employers and real-life work environments
• Ensuring personalised guidance that reflects each student’s individual needs, strengths, and EHCP outcomes
• Preparing students for life beyond school, including social, communication, and employability skills

Implementation – How we do it

Our careers programme is embedded across the curriculum and delivered through a progressive, age-appropriate framework:

• Years 7–9 (Exploration Phase):
  Students are introduced to careers through themed lessons, role play, enterprise activities, and visits. Focus is on identifying interests, strengths, and basic workplace behaviours.
• Years 10–11 (Preparation Phase):
  Students engage in more structured careers education, including employer encounters, workplace visits, and introduction to a variety of pathways. Supported work experience opportunities are introduced where appropriate and includes school based opportunities.
• Years 12–14 (Transition Phase):
  Students receive highly personalised support, including tailored work experience, college links, internships, and independent travel training if appropriate to specific students. Consistent careers guidance meetings are arranged over the course of Years 12-14 with the focus on provided appropriate advice and support. This forms part of the EHCP annual review process with high participation from students and their families who will advocate for them. Students are also encouraged to practice mock interviews to further develop their skills and help prepare them for life away from Pond Meadow.

Across all year groups, we ensure:

• Differentiated and accessible teaching strategies.
• Use of visual supports, practical learning, and repetition
• Strong partnerships with families, external agencies, and employers
• Integration of careers learning into review processes and curriculum areas.
• Support and advice are consistently provided as part of Annual EHCP review meetings.

Impact – What this means for our students

As a result of our careers programme, students develop the confidence, independence, and skills needed to make informed decisions about their futures and enables families to provide the best support,

Impact includes:

• Increased self-confidence and ability to communicate preferences and goals
• Improved readiness for adulthood, including employability and life skills
• Successful transitions into further education, supported internships, employment, or community-based provision
• Greater independence in travel, decision-making, and daily living
• Positive destinations that are sustainable and suited to individual needs

Ultimately, our careers programme empowers students to lead fulfilling, as independent a life as possible, with a clear sense of purpose and direction beyond school. The programme and the impact this has on own students, and their families are reviewed every term through our compass plus report. This is reviewed against the Gatsby Benchmarks to regularly ensure that our students are getting the best support.

Providers wishing to request access should contact: Emma Evans (Careers Lead) Telephone 01483 532239  or email at eevans@pond-meadow.surrey.uk

We welcome providers to contact the school to meet with us to see how they might be able to support our pupils’ transition from Pond Meadow school into the world of work or further education. Please speak to our Careers Leader to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.

Work Experience

Students will be provided with meaningful opportunities to experience volunteering or work placements. This may take place in school or out in the community. Our ‘job vacancy’ boards provide a wide range of opportunities for students to choose their own individual tasks. Students enjoy taking part in Enterprise projects to raise money for local charities.

Examples of previous work experience include;

1. Organising and delivering stationary orders for the school
2. Pop up café for school staff
3. Feeding the wild ponies for National Trust
4. Gardening and maintenance for Surrey Wildlife Trust

We are always looking for new volunteering or work experience placements for our students! If you would be interested in hosting a student, then please contact us using the details below: 

eevans@pond-meadow.surrey.sch.uk

FSkerratt@pond-meadow.surrey.sch.uk

careers@pond-meadow.surrey.sch.uk