Careers

Interaction with HE and employers

University Aspirations

Selected pupils to attend York St John University for ‘Finding your feet at secondary school and introduction to Higher Education’

Careers lunches

Alumni invited to school to have a ‘careers lunch’ with students who have expressed an interest in this area of work

Guest speakers

Invited guests, as well as Speakers for Schools, offer keynote talks and question and answer sessions to raise the aspirations of students and provide knowledge of the range of careers available

Gatsby

2, 6

Throughout year

ISSP

Independent State School Partnership

Selected students have the opportunity to attend workshops and master classes and talks 

Gatsby

4,5,7

When?

Throughout year

Questionnaire

Compass +

Pupils complete questionnaire about transition to secondary school and knowledge of HE and skills for life and work. 

Gatsby

3

When?

Autumn

Presentation

Higher Education

A Higher Education provider visits school to deliver an assembly about technical qualifications

Gatsby

7

When?

Autumn

PD

PD lessons 

Students taught about broad range of careers and abilities and qualities required for different careers; equality of opportunity; challenging stereotypes, broadening horizons and how to identify future careers aspirations 

Gatsby

1, 4

When?

Spring Summer  

Experience of the Workplace

Workplace visit

Students begin a programme looking at the workplace. This involves employers coming to school to set real life scenarios for our students to complete.

Gatsby

8

When?

Autumn

Pupil visits

Careers Fair

Pupils will attend Careers Fair 

Gatsby

2, 5

When?

Spring

Interaction with HE and employers

University Aspirations

Selected pupils to attend York St John University for ‘Finding your feet at secondary school and introduction to Higher Education’

Careers lunches

Alumni invited to school to have a ‘careers lunch’ with students who have expressed an interest in this area of work

Guest speakers

Invited guest, as well as Speakers for Schools, offer keynote talks and question and answer sessions to raise the aspirations of students and provide knowledge of the range of careers available

Gatsby

2, 6

When?

Throughout year

ISSP

Independent State School Partnership

Selected students have the opportunity to attend workshops and master classes and talks 

Gatsby 

4,5,7

When?

Throughout year

Pupil workshop

Trading Game

NYBEP to deliver Trading Game workshops for all pupils, learning about key employability skills

Gatsby 

1,2,5

When?

Spring 1

PD

PD lessons

Equality of opportunity in life and work; challenging stereotypes and discrimination in relation to work and pay

Gatsby 

1, 4

When?

Spring

Presentation

Higher Education

A Higher Education provider visits school to deliver an assembly about technical qualifications

Gatsby

7

When?

Autumn

Experience of the Workplace

Workplace visit

Students begin a programme looking at the workplace. This involves employers coming to school to set real life scenarios for our students to complete.

Gatsby

8

When?

Autumn

Pupil visits

Careers Fair

Pupils will attend Careers Fair 

Gatsby

2, 5

When?

Spring

Options

Options Evening

Options Evening – parents and pupils invited to discuss GCSE options with subject leaders. 

Gatsby 

1,3

When?

Spring 

Wildhearts

Career Aspirations

Nestle deliver workshops to targeted students about their career aspirations and the development of employability skills

Gatsby 

2, 3, 5 

When?

Summer

Interaction with HE and employers

University Aspirations

Selected pupils to attend York St John University for ‘Finding your feet at secondary school and introduction to Higher Education’

Careers lunches

Alumni invited to school to have a ‘careers lunch’ with students who have expressed an interest in this area of work

Guest speakers

Invited guests, as well as Speakers for Schools, offer keynote talks and question and answer sessions to raise the aspirations of students and provide knowledge of the range of careers available

Gatsby 

2, 6

When?

Throughout year

Questionnaire 

Compass +

Pupils complete a questionnaire about transition from KS3-4, employability skills, knowledge of HE and skills for life and work. 

Gatsby

3

When?

Spring   

ISSP

Independent State School Partnership

Selected students have the opportunity to attend workshops and master classes and talks 

Gatsby

4,5,7

When?

Throughout the year

Experience of the Workplace

Workplace visit

Students begin a programme looking at the workplace. This involves employers coming to school to set real life scenarios for our students to complete.

Gatsby

8

When?

Autumn

PD

PD lessons 

Pupils taught about: 

• Young people’s employment rights and responsibilities; skills for enterprise and employability
• Giving and acting upon constructive feedback; habits and strategies to support progress
• Managing ‘personal brand’ online; identifying and accessing support for concerns relating to life online

Gatsby

1, 4

When?

Spring 

Presentation

Higher Education

A Higher Education provider visits school to deliver an assembly about technical qualifications

 Gatsby

7

When?

Autumn

Pupil visits

Careers Fair

Pupils will attend Careers Fair 

Gatsby

2, 5

When?

Spring

Options

LMI and prospectus

Pupils to focus on post-16 options available in the York area and are taught how to apply through their PD lessons

Gatsby 

2

When?

Autumn 

Interaction with HE and employers

University Aspirations

Selected pupils to attend York St John University for ‘Finding your feet at secondary school and introduction to Higher Education’

Careers lunches

Alumni invited to school to have a ‘careers lunch’ with students who have expressed an interest in this area of work

Guest speakers

Invited guests, as well as Speakers for Schools, offer keynote talks and question and answer sessions to raise the aspirations of students and provide knowledge of the range of careers available

Gatsby 

2, 6

When?

Throughout year

Interviews

Mock Interviews

All pupils to have mock interviews with employers 

Gatsby 

2, 5

When?

Autumn

ISSP

Independent State School Partnership

Selected students have the opportunity to attend workshops and master classes and talks 

Gatsby 

4,5,7

When?

Throughout year

PD

PD lessons 

Pupils taught about: 

• Evaluating strengths and interests in relation to career development
• Opportunities in learning and work
• Strategies for overcoming challenges or adversity
• Responsibilities in the the workplace
• Managing practical problems and health and safety
• Maintaining a positive personal presence online

Gatsby 

1, 4

When?

Spring 

Presentation

ASK Opportunities Offer 

Awareness assemblies and support sessions about apprenticeships and T-Levels for students, parents and staff. 

Gatsby 

7

When?

Throughout year

Experience of the Workplace

Three-day project

Employers are invited into school to launch a real life project to the students who must then research, prepare, and present their findings back to the employer. 

Site visits

Invited students will be offered visits to local construction sites to further develop their knowledge and interest in careers linked to construction.

Gatsby 

3, 4, 5, 6

When?

Throughout the Year  

Independent Careers Advice

Careers Conversations

All students in Year 10 receive a 1 to 1 conversation on their career aspirations and potential post 16 journey from a qualified, independent advisor.

Gatsby 

2, 8

When?

Throughout the year

Post-16 Aspirations

St Peter’s visit

Higher attaining students are invited to attend a small trip to St. Peter’s School to hear about their Sixth Form offer, and the bursaries available to support them

Gatsby 

3, 4, 7

When?

Summer

Pupil visits

Careers Fair

Pupils will attend a Careers Fair 

Gatsby 

2, 5

When?

Spring

Presentation

Higher Education

A Higher Education provider visits school to deliver an assembly about technical qualifications

Gatsby

7

When?

Autumn

Independent Careers Advice

Careers Conversations

All students in Year 11 receive a second 1 to 1 conversation on their career aspirations and potential post 16 journey from a qualified, independent advisor.

Gatsby

2, 8

When?

Throughout the year

PSHE

PSHE lessons 

Pupils taught about: 

• Using feedback constructively when planning for the future
• Setting and achieving SMART targets 
• Effective revision techniques and strategies
• Options post-16 and pathways 
• Application processes, including CVs, personal statements and interview technique 
• Maximising employability, including managing online presence and taking opportunities to broaden experience 
• Rights , responsibilities and challenges in relation to working part time whilst studying 
• Managing work/life balance

Gatsby

1, 4

When?

Spring 

Parents Evening

Post 16 Providers

• Post 16 providers attend Parents Evening to support students with their post 16 destination. 
• A Post 16 afternoon is held where students are invited to come and speak to each Post 16 school or college for advice before closing date of applications

Gatsby

3, 4, 7

When?

Autumn

You can download our strategic plan for Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance 2025-26 here.