This is a non-statutory curriculum framework originally issued by DfES in March 2003. Schools are expected to plan and deliver a programme of careers education to all young people in Years 9-11. The aim is that every young person gains the skills they need to become independent careers managers, able to: investigate the opportunities open to them; make decisions and judgements about education and career options; understand how their choices can help them achieve their goals; and navigate successfully through key transition points.

How does Fast Tomato link to this?
Many of the activities and features of Fast Tomato support the above aims. Our Fast Tomato & CEG Objectives document maps different activities within Fast Tomato against the objectives outlined in the National Framework.

The Progress File materials help young people and adults find out how to manage their own learning and career development. The materials can be used by individuals to review progress, record achievements and plan their future development. Use is completely voluntary, but schools must report to school leavers their non- examined achievements. Progress File is one way in which this requirement can be achieved.

How does Fast Tomato link to this?
There are many activities within Fast Tomato which support the aims of Frogress File. Fast Tomato is particularly useful for recording plans and goals, and learning and career aspirations.

There are six Key Skills � viewed by government as a range of essential skills that underpin success in education, employment, lifelong learning and personal development. These include communication, application of number, information technology, working with others, improving own learning and performance and problem solving.

How does Fast Tomato link to this?
Fast Tomato can offer opportunities to gain a variety of information technology related skills through practical experience of using the website features. It can also offer activities, such as planning and target setting, which contribute to a student�s improving their own learning and performance. Summary reports and plans can be printed for inclusion in assessment portfolios.

Click here for more information on Key Skills

From September 2004 there has been a statutory requirement for schools to provide an opportunity for all young people at Key Stage 4 to experience some work-related learning. The QCA has developed a non-statutory framework (Go to http://www.qca.org.uk/14-19 for further details).

From September 2005 there will be an entitlement to the equivalent of 5 days of enterprise education by the end of Key Stage 4. Enterprise Advisers have been working with 1000 schools in more deprived areas helping deliver enterprise education and encourage enterprise practice. This will have three strands: enterprise capability, financial capability and economic and business understanding. Simulations, industry days and work experience can all be part of the promotion of enterprise. Pupils should be encouraged to experience enterprise themselves (on work experience or simulations) and to reflect, review and make their own plans as a result of their learning.

How does Fast Tomato link to this?
Fast Tomato can support these objectives by providing access to information about careers, courses and places. The questionnaires and feedback can help students gain greater awareness of their own abilities and attributes. The planning features can provide space for students to record their achievements, and make ongoing plans for their future learning and career development. There are also areas where students can record their own thoughts and reflections, relating to their own experience of the world of work.

How does Fast Tomato link to this?
A well-established CEG programme, which has Fast Tomato as an integral part of delivery could well be used to demonstrate how a school addresses a number of the above issues. For example, summary reports and Learning Plans can be produced, which form an excellent focus for discussion and target setting between pupil and tutor.

Click here for more information on Ofsted

Citizenship is a national curriculum subject with three strands: Social and moral responsibility, Community involvement and Political literacy

How does Fast Tomato link to this?
Fast Tomato includes the questionnaire �My Priorities�, which looks at the sort of things pupils want from life. The results of this could be used to prompt class discussion on different values and priorities. The planning and target setting features in Fast Tomato could be used by pupils to create their own citizenship related goals and targets. For example, setting goals around community involvement, and volunteering. The review feature can also provide an online space where students can reflect upon their involvement and participation as citizens in their community and record their achievements.

Click here for more information on Citizenship