Progressions
Craftworks Progression Programme is an inclusive journey, designed to support young people of all abilities and needs as they move towards adulthood. Rooted in a flexible, person-centred approach, the programme is shaped around each students aspirations and vision for the future. From the very beginning, we take time to understand every individual—establishing a clear baseline and guiding them through the GATSBY Benchmarks to ensure meaningful and personalised progress. Our dedicated team provides tailored one-to-one guidance, allowing each student to explore their options at a pace that suits them. We equip students with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices, offering insight into the labour market and helping them identify appropriate next steps, whether that's further education, employment, training or an supported living environment. At the heart of the Progression Programme is a deep commitment to nurturing ambition, independence, and self-belief—empowering each young person to take their next step with clarity and confidence.
1. Our Steps to success
Visualise
Students who are looking to understand their options for post college are in a visualising stage. These students are working on aspiration and desired outcomes after college.
Plan
Students who are in internal work experience and planning their next steps to an external work experience. These students are planning goals from career exploration and building a personal brand.
Prepare
Students who are moving towards external work experience, have jobs and are on track to progress within the year will be universal - they are on a pathway that is preparing them for work.
2. Student Centred sessions
Typical session outlines
Each student has a profile based on one to one discussion about their interests and strengths. We explore their dreams and ambitions and help them translate these into achievable goals which are tracked and managed through transition planning.
The programme is built around the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure we observe best practice in careers provision for our students:
A stable careers programme
Encounters with employers and employees.
Learning from career and labour market information
Experiences of workplaces.
Addressing the needs of each pupil.
Encounters with further and higher education.
Linking curriculum learning to careers.
Personal Guidance
3. Careers advice & Labour Market
At the heart of our careers education is a strong and trusted partnership with CXK, a leading provider of independent careers advice and guidance. Through this collaboration, our learners are empowered to explore their future with clarity, confidence, and ambition. CXK brings a wealth of expertise, offering impartial support that helps young people make informed decisions about their next steps—whether that's further education, training, or employment. This partnership plays a vital role in shaping aspirations and fostering meaningful transition planning. It ensures every learner has access to high-quality information and tailored advice that reflects their interests, strengths, and goals. Alongside this, our curriculum is enriched with inspiring, industry-led sessions delivered by guest speakers, helping students to connect their learning with the real world of work.
To further support our students, parents, and staff, we’ve included links below to key labour market information—offering insight into current opportunities, trends, and pathways to success. https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/information/young-people-and-parents/kent-labour-market-informationLabour Market Profile - Nomis - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics Top 10 Jobs in Kent - CXK Kent labour market information Economy and employment data - Kent County Council
4. Student Voice
It's crucial to acknowledge that our students are the reason for our college community, and their perspectives and input are vital for shaping the college environment they inhabit. We place great importance on actively listening to our students and valuing their experiences within college life. There will be an opportunity for each site to have a student representative to be the voice of their site, to offer ideas and be the conduit for college to communicate actions taken to the ideas of the students feedback to the board and senior
leadership.
5. Travel Training
We offer tailored travel training to appropriate students who may benefit from developing greater independence in their daily lives. This support is not suited to students with complex needs or those requiring constant one-to-one support for safety, but for those where increased independence is achievable, it can be a transformative experience. Delivered by our trained and experienced Progressions Team, the programme helps students build confidence, safety awareness, and essential travel skills. The Department Head for Personal Development and Progressions holds a recognised qualification in Training in Systematic Instruction (TSI), ensuring a structured, student-centred approach. In addition, our Progressions Team members are certified by The Education People in Travel Training, giving them the tools to support each student with care, consistency, and professionalism on their journey toward independence.
6. Work Experience
Progression
Our work experience programme has been specifically devised to enable access for all students to take part in work experience. We recognise that some employers find it challenging to put in place measures to support students who have higher needs. We have thus created our own internal work experience via our social enterprise.
Pruning Time
Pruning Time have a team of qualified and knowledgeable gardeners with experience in landscaping and garden building. Through the Pruning Time gardening service, we are able to offer our young people valuable work experience in gardening, garden maintenance, D.I.Y and customer care skills all while serving the local community.
Florabunda
Floribunda is our very own nursery based at our Community Farm in Ashford. Growing and selling plants, flowers and fresh seasonal produce to the public and local retailers. We offer our students the opportunity to do work placements working alongside our fully trained staff. We have a wealth of knowledge and can work with customers to ensure we deliver their expectations.
Branching Out
Branching Out Market (BOM) provide skilled work coaches who provide team building, enterprise and job skills coaching. These opportunities provide practical learning to understand the expectation for work, personal attributes, interpersonal skills, attitudes and behaviours and skills. BOM prepares student for work in the local economy, making links to local employers and enables them to take the next steps to external work experience.
Progression
We work with local employers to ensure our students are given appropriate and meaningful work experience. Students who are on the Plan or Prepare pathways are offered opportunities
to fulfil their potential a day a week in an engaging work placement relevant to their career aspirations or personal interests.
Lees Court Estate
Tesco
The Abby Physic garden
7. Preparing for Adulthood
Travel Planning
Travel training is an integral part of social inclusion and access to the job market. Studies have indicated consistently that those who experience transport issues can experience a barrier to societal participation and employment. For people with learning disabilities and/or suffering from social anxiety travel via public transport can be a significant barrier to getting and staying in a job. Travel training can help generate confidence and build key skills to overcome this barrier, help trainees travel independently and enhance access to the job market.
Independent Living
At college, we are passionate about preparing our students for life beyond education by equipping them with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed for independence. Through a range of hands-on activities, students have the opportunity to practise essential life skills such as budgeting, understanding bills, personal hygiene, basic cookery, and everyday problem-solving. We work closely with each student to understand their individual goals and support needs, offering tailored guidance around housing, managing finances, and accessing local services. We also help students build the confidence to navigate real-world situations, empowering them to take ownership of their futures.
Key Skill Development
At our college, we prioritise helping our students develop important skills for success. We offer mock interviews and coaching to improve their interview skills and social interactions.
We teach them how to read payslips, manage finances, and write CVs to prepare for the future. Our sessions cover accountability, time management, communication, and other life skills. Through our supportive environment, we empower SEN students to overcome challenges and reach their goals.
8. Next Steps
At Craftworks, we care deeply about every student’s future, and we’re proud to support each individual as they take their next steps beyond college. Whether a student is aiming for an apprenticeship, internship, paid employment, social care support, further training, volunteering, or continued education, our Progression Team is there with them—offering personalised, thoughtful guidance every step of the way. No matter the path, we put the same care, attention, and belief into helping each student move forward with confidence, independence, and a strong sense of purpose.
Further Education
Progressing on to a mainstream provider or another alternative provider who offers a suitable next steps course.
Social Care
Progressing in to an independent living skills an environment focused on fostering continuous growth in confidence, independence, and essential life skills.
Employment
Progressing into various forms of employment, whether paid, part-time, full-time, or voluntary, thereby contributing to the workforce and forging connections within the community.
Apprenticeships
Progressing into apprenticeships or traineeships, students embark on structured pathways to deepen their skills and expertise in chosen fields, supported by collaborative partners, while also continuing their studies in Maths and English.
9. Our Destination Data
In July 2023, 25 Students left the college, 4 of who are in paid employment, 7 progressed to full time mainstream further education, 5 into full time specialist further education, 7 are in independent skills environments, only 2 remain Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET), 1 of which was a hard to reach student on the re engagement programme.
Meet The Progression Team
Our Progressions Team consists of three dedicated professionals who go above and beyond to support students in achieving their next steps. They ensure each student’s needs are met with care, respect, and commitment, working tirelessly to help them reach their full potential.
Graded OUTSTANDING, the Craftworks Progressions Team is exceptionally well-equipped to guide students toward successful futures. The Department Head for Personal Development and Progressions holds qualifications in Information, Advice and Guidance, Training in Systematic Instruction, tutoring, and a degree in English Literature. The wider team brings a wealth of expertise, with qualifications including BA (Hons), Counselling Skills, Mental Health First Aid, Travel Training, Safeguarding, and a strong understanding of Special Educational Needs.
Together, the team brings not just experience and knowledge, but a genuine belief in every student’s potential—making sure no matter the destination, the journey is supported every step of the way.
