This term, every year group has taken part in a careers-focused assembly, supporting our school values and, in particular, our focus on aspiration. As part of their exploration of post-16 pathways, Year 11 students also heard from Moulton College, helping them to consider the range of options available as they begin planning their next steps.

Year 7 Career Quest Day

Following the success of last year’s event, Year 7 Career Quest Day will take place on Wednesday 3 March 2027. Students are encouraged to spend the day work-shadowing a parent/carer, older sibling, relative or trusted family friend, giving them an exciting opportunity to observe life in the workplace, learn about different careers and begin thinking about their own aspirations.

This is a work-shadowing day rather than work experience. Students who are unable to arrange a placement will take part in careers-related activities in school.

Parents/carers should complete the Career Quest Day form by Friday 15 January 2027. Please see the previous email for further information.

Launch of Year 10 Work Experience

We have launched our Year 10 Work Experience programme. Work Experience Week will take place from Monday 17 May to Friday 21 May 2027.

Students are responsible for finding their own placement and we encourage them to start looking as soon as possible. Placements do not have to relate directly to a future career choice. The key aim is for students to experience a real workplace, build confidence and independence, meet new people and develop valuable employability skills.

Once a placement has been agreed, students must enter the employer's name, contact details and business address onto Unifrog by Monday 22 February 2027. Unifrog will then contact the employer directly to collect the additional information required, including risk assessment and Employers' Liability Insurance details.

All students can access Unifrog using their school Microsoft login.

Key dates

• Placement deadline: Monday 22 February 2027
• Work Experience Week: Monday 17 May to Friday 21 May 2027

If your child is struggling to find a placement, please encourage them to come and see me in A1. I am very happy to help them explore ideas and possible opportunities.

Year 11 Post 16 Options

With Post-16 open events now taking place, Year 11 students should be actively exploring their options for next year, including sixth forms, colleges and apprenticeships. Attending open days and evenings is a really important part of this process, giving students the chance to compare courses, entry requirements, facilities and the overall environment before making their choices. Parents/carers can find further information, advice and useful links in our Post-16 Options Sway.

Thrive Forward Launch to Y12

We are delighted to be taking part in Thrive! Forward, a fully funded programme from Market Harborough Building Society designed to help young people build confidence and develop important life skills. Throughout the year, Y12 students will take part in assemblies, workshops and activities covering financial education, employability skills, wellbeing and resilience, delivered by specialist charity partners including WizeUp Financial Education, Mind, Everyone’s Invited and Young Enterprise.

Year 13 UCAS Discovery Fair Visit

Our Year 13 students attended the UCAS Discover Fair at Stadium MK, giving them a valuable opportunity to speak directly with universities and other providers, ask questions and firm up their choices ahead of submitting their UCAS applications. Our internal deadline is Friday 4th December 2026, ahead of the main UCAS deadline of 13th January 2027, ensuring students have plenty of time for applications to be checked, references added and final submissions made.

Degree Apprenticeships: Expert Advice

We were delighted to welcome Dale Willis from My Great First Job, who shared his expertise and practical top tips with students on how to successfully secure a degree apprenticeship.

Some of Dale’s key advice included:

• Use LinkedIn and keep your profile up to date.
• Look beyond the government apprenticeship website when searching for vacancies.
• Research companies directly by Googling employers within the sector you are interested in.
• Bring more to the table than your grades. Be ready to talk about what you have done outside of education to demonstrate your genuine interest and passion for your chosen career sector.

A really valuable session, encouraging students to be proactive, curious and prepared when searching and applying for degree apprenticeship opportunities.

Get in touch!

If you want to get in touch about anything Careers related, please email Mrs Brennan at careers@guilsborough.northants.sch.uk