How Capital City College’s Careers Team ensures no student is left behind

‘No student left behind’ is a promise the careers team at Capital City College delivers on consistently. Here is how.

Philippa Cooke, Head of Capital City College’s Angel centre

Every student deserves access to the full spectrum of career opportunities, and we make this our guiding philosophy. This responsibility is shared across all staff and curriculum areas and is embedded in the very culture of the Capital City College (CCC) careers team, driving our actions and decisions.

A data-driven approach

We do not just offer career activities; we ensure they are promoted to all and are impactful. Through data-driven quality assurance – including self-assessment reports, student and staff feedback, and external evaluations – we continuously improve our services for both students and curriculum. For instance, feedback on the accessibility of one-to-one guidance led us to expand appointments both bookable and drop-in, and options to include virtual and telephone consultations, ensuring all students can engage.

Student and parent/guardian surveys also shape our development, allowing us to refine our approach and stay responsive to student needs.

Personalised guidance at key milestones

Recognising that every student’s journey is unique, we integrate career conversations and opportunities at critical decision points, such as course selection, apprenticeship applications, internal progression and university choices. Our one-to-one guidance interviews, led by L6+ qualified practitioners, are tailored for accessibility and inclusivity, empowering students to make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.

Additionally, we offer targeted programmes such as the Lloyds Junior Scholars, the Legal Action Programme for aspiring lawyers, college-wide SEND careers week, and bespoke events for ESOL students to address specific needs. We appreciate Oxbridge and Medicine degrees can feel out of reach for many inner London students, and our bespoke yearlong preparation programmes encourage confidence and how to make the most of opportunities.

Ensuring diversity and inclusion

Our student body reflects the diverse communities of Greater London, ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of our career education. Many of our programmes focus on supporting underrepresented groups, including those receiving free school meals, Looked After Children and first-generation college students.

We partner with organisations like SiSTEM and Everything Diversity and Inclusion to introduce underrepresented groups to STEM careers and apprenticeships, and our participation in the Turing Mobility Scheme provides international work experience for disadvantaged students, preparing them for the global workforce.

Working with university and employer partners

Our strong partnerships with employers, universities, and other stakeholders give students unique opportunities. For example, partnerships with companies like Heatherwick Design & Architecture go beyond traditional placements, involving collaborative curriculum development, industry-specific educator training, and student engagement with real-world projects.

Our relationships with universities bridge the gap between secondary and higher education, ensuring students are equipped with the skills demanded by competitive industries, particularly in specialist fields from engineering to optics.

Moving forward

Our work is ongoing. We aim to reach every corner of CCC, ensuring all students are aware of and can access the opportunities available to them. We also plan to publish case studies and reports on our innovative approaches, particularly those supporting vulnerable students, to share with the wider educational community.

Measurable impact

Student feedback shows 88% gained confidence through our career programmes, and 70% expanded their professional networks. Personalised guidance through one-to-one interviews is highlighted as instrumental in shaping students’ academic and career trajectories. Our real-world experience, such as industry workshops, leads to improved outcomes, with more students progressing to apprenticeships, further study, or employment, which is fully tracked and reported on to the entire college staff community. This creates real-time conversations on progression/career opportunities for teachers to be shared in lessons and tutorials.

Key takeaways

For other colleges looking to strengthen their career offerings, we offer two key insights

1. Ensure that you implement a rigorous quality assurance programme. We use a multi-faceted approach to gather insights, including:
   • Regular self-assessment reports (SARs)
   • Student and staff feedback gained through surveys, focus groups, and informal conversations
   • Matrix continuous improvement checks
   • Destination data and student outcomes
2. Actively engage with employer partners to discover what skills and attributes they are looking for in graduates. This ensures that curricula and career guidance remain aligned with industry demands, enhancing the employability of students and strengthening employer relationships.

At CCC, the careers team go beyond being an information resource. We provide a supportive, empowering environment where students clarify their goals, develop action plans, and connect with resources to reach their full potential. Find out more about our career support!

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