SECONDARY school headteachers in the borough have jointly commissioned a provider to offer careers advice to young people.

From the beginning of this academic year in September, secondary schools in England had new statutory duties to provide impartial careers advice and guidance to their students, and to meet the cost of that duty.

Following a consultation, schools in Basingstoke and Deane have jointly decided to work together to commission one provider to offer this service, in order for it to be consistent across the town.

Education charity Basingstoke Consortium began running the new service at the start of the new school year.

Denis McCabe, headteacher at Aldworth Science College, in Western Way, Basingstoke, said: “The service we have is very responsive to our individual school’s needs, but at the same time offers a consistent message for all young people.

“Because Basingstoke Con-sortium is local, we also benefit from their knowledge of the marketplace, college opportunities and business links, as well as their ability to run employer-focused events for our students.”

Basingstoke Consortium now employs six careers advisers and works with all 12 secondary schools in the borough.

In March, it plans to work with partners across the region to run a careers conference for partner schools.

Sue Riley, chief executive officer of the charity, said: “As a charity focused on helping young people prepare for working life, we have strong employer links.

“We have delivered work experience placements for more than nine years, and actively work with around 500 employers each year.

“Employing qualified careers advisers to complement this service was a logical next step and we are pleased to be supporting local schools and colleges in this way.

“We are proud of the service we are now offering, and feedback from teachers, students and parents has been positive.”