Our Vision

At Priestley Smith Specialist School, we believe that every young person should have high aspirations for their future and be supported to understand the opportunities available to them.
 

Our careers programme provides pupils with careers education, information, advice, guidance and experiences that help them develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and independence they need to prepare for their next steps and adult life.
 

As a specialist school for children and young people with vision impairment, we recognise that each pupil's journey will be different. Careers education is therefore personalised according to individual strengths, interests, aspirations, needs and intended destinations.
 

We want our pupils to:

• understand their own strengths, interests, skills and aspirations;

• develop confidence and self-advocacy;

• understand the world of work and the opportunities available to them;

• develop employability and career-management skills;

• meet employers, employees, education and training providers and positive role models;

• experience workplaces and different working environments;

• understand the different routes available after school;

• make informed decisions about education, training and employment;

• understand the support and reasonable adjustments that can enable people with vision impairment to succeed;

• develop independence and skills for adult life; and

• move successfully into a positive and appropriate destination.
   

Our careers programme is informed by the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance and works alongside the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI), with Preparation for Adulthood being a key focus.
 

One entitlement - personalised pathways

Every pupil at Priestley Smith has an entitlement to high-quality careers education and guidance.

However, we recognise that pupils have different starting points, communication and learning needs, levels of independence, aspirations and intended destinations.

For some pupils, careers education may initially focus on developing an understanding of themselves, their strengths, communication, independence and the world around them.

For others, it may include exploring specific occupations, qualifications, further education, supported internships, apprenticeships, higher education or employment.

Our approach is therefore personalised while maintaining high aspirations for every young person.
 

Our Careers Team

Careers Leader - Kerry Mellor
The Careers Leader has strategic responsibility for the development, coordination and evaluation of the school's careers programme and works with pupils, families, staff, employers, education and training providers and our independent careers adviser.
Email: k.mellor@priestley.bham.sch.uk
Telephone: 0121 325 3900

Independent Careers Adviser - Dave Hooley
Our independent careers adviser provides impartial personal careers guidance to support pupils in exploring their aspirations, options and next steps.
 

Careers Link Governor: Rob Cash

Senior Leadership Link: Liz Clabon
 

Explore our Careers Area

Use large accessible buttons:
Our Careers Programme
My Careers Entitlement
Personal Careers Guidance
Workplace Experiences & Employers
Future Pathways
Careers & Preparation for Adulthood
Parents & Carers
Provider Access
Labour Market Information
Destinations & Impact
 

Careers information last reviewed: September 2026
Next review: September 2027