Careers at the Garden

The Garden School's Careers Education programme is a vital part of every student's development, ensuring that all students, regardless of their abilities or future destinations, can explore and understand their career paths.

At its core, the programme recognises that the term “career” refers to an individual’s “path through life,” and for each student, this journey may look different. For some, their career might involve supported work environments and for others, it may mean different forms of work-related activities or independent living. The programme seeks to honour these diverse futures, ensuring that all students, regardless of their path, are equipped to live fulfilling, meaningful lives.

The Careers Education at The Garden focuses on developing essential life, social, and independent living skills that can be applied across various environments – in alignment with our school intent. In addition, students are encouraged to develop decision-making, transition, and negotiation skills, which help them navigate their post-school lives with greater confidence and autonomy. Central to this process is listening to and amplifying the student’s voice—understanding their preferences, strengths, and aspirations. The school builds strong partnerships with families to support the decision-making process, ensuring that the individual needs and desires of each student are addressed.

Key Stage 3 offer:

Enterprise Fairs: Supported by Revere the Residence, students create and sell products, gaining hands-on experience in enterprise.
Employer Visits: Integrated into the Science and Careers curriculum, including trips to local employers like Abney Park to learn about gardening and other practical skills.
Family Engagement: Year 9 families are invited to presentations about supported internships and future pathways.
Career Planning: Annual review meetings with a careers adviser for Year 9 students and their families.
Core Skills: Employability skills are embedded in the English, Maths, Science, and PSHE curriculum.

Key Stage 4 offer:

Further Education & Sixth Form Pathways Presentation: Families are introduced to educational and career options, followed by a presentation on supported internships.
Enterprise Fair: Students participate in creating and selling produce, with guidance from the SEND Coffee training provider.
Specialised Cooking Sessions: The Shoreditch Trust collaborates with students in a cooking classroom, working alongside a professional chef.
Work Experience: Opportunities are available with Hackney Sports, Pavilion Café, and St. Mary’s Garden.
Careers and Transitions Fair: A chance to meet local training providers, colleges, and employers.
Careers Talks: Provided by health workers, facilities managers, and local employers.
Careers Curriculum: Delivered by My AFK, focusing on personal strengths and career pathways, including visits to local employers.

Key Stage 5 offer:

Curriculum Talks: Covering various fields such as customer service, facilities management, museums, and hospitality.
Further Education & Supported Internships Presentation: Informing families about educational and career opportunities.
AQA Employability Sessions: Training in CV writing, mock interviews, and job searching.
Scope Workshops: Focused on enhancing employability and employment skills.
Annual Review & Transition Planning: Meetings with families to discuss and plan future transitions.
Work Experience: Placements with Project Search, Clapton Library, Badoo, The Round Chapel, Abney Park, St. Mary’s Garden, and Pavilion Café.
Careers & Transitions Fair: Featuring local training providers, colleges, and employers.
Mouth That Roars Filming Workshops: Providing experience in film roles.
Hackney DWP Workshops: Led by Hackney DWP to offer further career guidance.
Transition Days: Visits to local colleges and supported internships.
Visits to Providers: Including Unity Kitchen, SEND Kitchen, and the Harington Scheme.
Enterprise Fair: Students engage in creating job roles, supported by SEND Coffee.

Employability Pathway

In addition, The Garden School’s Employability Pathway provides students with a range of practical experiences to build their career skills. Students gain valuable work experience at The Pavilion site’s café and at St. Mary’s Garden as well as a range of other local employees.

Pupils also participate in mini enterprise scheme, where they develop crucial skills in customer service, financial management, and craftsmanship

Year A	Year B	Year C	Year D	Year E
Beads and Boxes	Beauty Gift Sets	Decorations	Magnets and Mirrors	Decoupage and Cards
T-shirts and Socks	Tea Cosies and Tea Towels	Blankets and Bags	Shawls and Hats	Cushions
Plant Pots and Hanging Baskets	Garden Accessories	Insects and Flowers	Upcycling	Birds

Additional items include T-shirts, socks, garden accessories, and upcycled crafts.

The programme encourages hands-on learning, work experience, and life skills development, ensuring students are well-prepared for the next steps in education or employment.

The programme benefits from support by various organizations such as The Shoreditch Trust, Mouth That Roars, Hackney Youth, Hackney DWP, Spectrum IT, Autism Cares, The Ellingham Project, and Unity Kitchen.