Sally Smiles Working Futures and Careers Lead at Critchill School has been awarded Somerset Education Business Awards- Careers Leader of the Year Award, 2023.

Sally who has worked at Critchill School for over 20 years has been the driving force behind the schools outstanding careers curriculum. She has ensured that Critchill School has met 100% of all of the Gatsby Benchmarks – the eight benchmarks of Good Career Guidance. Sally has also established fantastic relationships with a variety of local businesses to provide pupils with a range of opportunities including work experience.

She has also led the school to achieving 'The Quality in Careers Standard'- the national quality award for careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), placing the school joint first for its careers programme in the 'Heart of the South West' (Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset)

At the recent Somerset Education Business Awards when Sally Smiles was awarded Somerset Careers Leader of The Year she said "I can't quite believe it but I won! It really is a team effort at Critchill School. Thank you to staff, students and everyone involved in our careers programme for making it so successful".

Executive Head Teacher, Sophie Addison stated, "Sally's drive, dedication and ambition for the pupils at Critchill is phenomenal. This year the school has seen her further embed a school wide careers programme, extend our links with local businesses and enabled the school to be selected to run a Supported Internship programme in partnership with The Shaw Trust. These are exceptional outcomes."