The IgnitED Method
In-person. In-depth. Real organisations. Real mentors.
The IgnitED Method is our unique approach to preparing young people for their professional future. Our programmes have been written and designed to combine the power of in‑person, real‑world experiences with interactive skills workshops, direct access to inspiring professionals, and personalised industry pathway guidance.
Every participant benefits from a week of industry mentoring, practical career insights, and the chance to build lasting friendships with peers who share their interests, hopes, and aspirations. By creating a space where professional curiosity and ambition thrive, the IgnitED Method ensures that young people gain valuable preparation for life after school and career entry.
IgnitED's programme pillars are founded on the integration of the Skills Builder Framework, the CDI Framework, UCAS's new 3 questions, and the Gatsby Benchmarks. Ensuring modern work experiences and a cohesive approach to greater industry knowledge and career readiness.
IgnitED Method: 3 Pillars
Explore: Employer Encounters & Real-World Insight
At a glance: Gatsby 5 & 6, professional encounters, contextual learning
IgnitED programmes take place in university spaces and active workplaces.
In our university seminar rooms, IgnitED participants work with mentors who specialise in the discipline and provide subject insight, careers guidance and support with university applications.
The programme then moves into professional settings, where our participants meet industry leaders to observe how their workplace operates.
This combination of academic and professional settings gives participants a clear view of how their chosen field functions and the routes that can lead into it.
Experience: Skills Development and Connected Curriculum Learning
At a glance: Skills Builder, CDI, Gatsby 4, essential skills, pathways understanding
A central tenet of the IgnitED Method is that participants take part in interactive, skills-focused sessions. These structured workshops involve tasks that call for problem solving, teamwork, communication and initiative, aligning with the essential skills in the Skills Builder framework.
Each session draws on the CDI framework to help participants identify their strengths, understand the demands of different roles and consider how their subject interests relate to future pathways.
As they work through practical challenges, participants see how ideas from their curriculum apply in real contexts and how these skills transfer into the world of work.
Excel: Reflection, Decision-Making and Interdisciplinary Challenges
At a glance: employability skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, CDI reflection, progression skills, communication, teamwork, problem solving
Participants come together for Co-Lab sessions that focus on collaborative problem solving, shared reflection and interdisciplinary tasks.
These sessions draw on the CDI framework to help participants understand how their strengths interact with those of others and how different fields connect within the wider landscape of work.
Through tackling joint challenges and discussing the perspectives brought from different industry interests, participants develop transferable employability skills such as communication, teamwork and reasoning, while gaining a broader view of potential pathways.
The Gatsby Benchmarks
To ensure our programme meets the highest standards, we align with the Gatsby Benchmarks. The 8 benchmarks are an internationally recognized framework for good career guidance in schools and colleges.
The framework covers a range of activities, from encounters with industry professionals to personalized career advice. They are valued because they ensure your child receives comprehensive and high-quality support in exploring their future career paths. By following these benchmarks, IgnitED helps young people build a strong foundation for their professional journey.
Benchmark 1: A Stable Careers Programme
IgnitED offers a structured, week-long programme with clear objectives and outcomes, providing students with a stable and comprehensive career guidance experience.
Benchmark 2: Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
Through industry visits and guest speakers, IgnitED provides students with valuable insights into various career paths and the current labour market.
Benchmark 3: Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil
IgnitED's diverse range of career options and personalised coaching sessions ensure that the programme meets the individual needs and aspirations of each student.
Benchmark 4: Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers
The hands-on workshops and practical activities offered by IgnitED help students see the relevance of their academic learning to real-world careers.
Benchmark 5: Encounters with Employers and Employees
IgnitED facilitates meaningful interactions with industry professionals, allowing students to gain firsthand knowledge and experience from those working in their chosen fields.
Benchmark 6: Experiences of Workplaces
The programme includes industry visits, giving students the opportunity to experience different work environments and understand the day-to-day realities of various careers.
Benchmark 7: Encounters with Further and Higher Education:
By hosting the programme at the University of Chichester, IgnitED exposes students to higher education settings and provides information about further education opportunities.
Benchmark 8: Personal Guidance
IgnitED offers professional coaching sessions, including CV writing, interview skills, and personal branding, providing students with personalised guidance to support their career development.
IgnitED aligns with the Career Development Institute’s framework by providing guidance to help students develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for positive career outcomes, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future careers.
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Grow Throughout Life
Grow throughout life by learning and reflecting on yourself, your background, and your strengths.
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Explore Possibilities
Explore the full range of possibilities open to you and learn about career progression routes and the culture of different workplaces.
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Managed Career
Manage your career actively, make the most of opportunities and learn from setbacks.
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Create Opportunities
Create opportunities by being proactive and building positive relationships with others.
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Balance Life and Work
Balance your life as a worker and/or entrepreneur with your wellbeing, other interests and your involvement with your family and community.
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See the Big Picture
See the big picture by paying attention to how the economy, politics and society connect with your own life and career.
UCAS Application: 3 Questions
For students applying to university for 2026 entry, the UCAS personal statement format will change.
It will be replaced with 3 questions.
The new questions are as follows:
1. Why do you want to study this course or subject?
2. How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
3. What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
The IgnitED programme supports learners navigating the new UCAS requirements by helping them confidently highlight their extracurricular activities, articulate their passions, showcase their skills, and demonstrate dedication to their chosen field in their applications.
(UCAS Link)
