William Henry Smith School Achieves Prestigious Quality in Careers Standard Award

We are delighted to announce that the William Henry Smith School and Sixth Form has successfully achieved the Quality in Careers Standard Award, a nationally recognised accreditation that celebrates excellence in careers education, information, advice and guidance.

This achievement reflects the dedication, commitment and collaborative efforts of staff across the school who work tirelessly to ensure our students are equipped with the skills, knowledge and experiences they need for successful futures.

Following the final assessment, the School was praised for its "very well established and effective careers education programme", with careers education embedded throughout the curriculum and school culture. Assessors highlighted the School's commitment to ensuring that all staff understand the importance and value of careers education and the positive impact this has on students.

The report recognised the significant progress made since the initial assessment, noting that the School now fully meets the standards required for the award.

Particular praise was given to the leadership of the Careers Team and the strong support provided by the Senior Leadership Team in ensuring careers education remains a key priority.

Students at The William Henry Smith School benefit from a wide range of employer encounters, supported visits and meaningful work-related learning opportunities. The assessor also acknowledged the unique opportunities available within the school itself, where students can gain valuable experience and develop practical skills through internal work experience placements and projects across various departments.

The assessment report stated that careers education is introduced at an early stage and carefully tailored to meet individual needs throughout each student's journey, resulting in engaged learners and positive transitions beyond school.

Careers Lead, Adele Greenleaf was praised for her dedication and passion:

Congratulations to everyone involved in securing this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to continuing to provide outstanding careers education and opportunities for all our students.

Find out more about our careers offer.