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Careers Education

Careers Education is much more than being just about jobs- it’s about preparing for life after school. As a parent, and governor, its wonderful to see the excellent provision at Gordon's is agile, comprehensive and embedded right from Year 7.

Mr D Horton, Parent and Governor

 

Careers Events Overview 2025 - 2026
Date Event Location
  AUTUMN TERM  
9th September 2025 Careers in Sport and Business Workshops with BMW PGA Championship REC
12th September 2025 Year 12 Workplace visit and behind the scenes Tour at BMW PGA Championship Wentworth
1st October 2025 Brooklands Innovation Academy Event with Professor Brian Cox (Year 8) Various
13th October 2025 GORDON'S CAREERS WEEK - Launching careers in school for this academic year with a full programme of Careers related events and opportunities for students and parents (Full programme to follow)  
13th October 2025 Work Experience and HE Launch (Y10 Parent Event) REC
14th October 2025 Careers in STEM with Atkins Realis Surrey Sports Park
14th October 2025 Work Experience and FE Launch (Y12 Parent Event) REC
16th October 2025 Careers in Law with Crown Prosecution Service  
16th October 2025 Dine and Discuss for Y12 (Sports/ Adventure)  
22nd November 2025 Meducators HUB Events - Careers Development Workshops  
20th October 2025 Advertising Unlocked Initiative - ZAK Agency Creative Media Trip BBC Television Centre
26th November 2024 Careers in Sport - Workshops sponsored by DP World Tour REC
5th December 2024 Creative Careers Day (Y10 & Y12) Various
  SPRING TERM  
15th January 2026 Creative Arts and Humanities Drop Down Day (Supporting Y9 Options)  
9th February 2026 National Apprenticeship Week - A week of Careers focussed events in school (full programme to follow) Various
10th February 2026 National Apprenticeship Fair (Y12 7 Y13)  
11th February 2026 Gordon's School Careers Fair Theatre
12th February 2026 Speed Networking Event for Y10  
12th February 2026 Dine and Discuss for Y12 (STEM) REC
3rd March 2026 UCAS Fair for Y12 University of Surrey
9th March 2026 National Careers Week - A week of Careers focussed events in school (full programme to follow) Various
10th March 2026 Speed Networking Event for Y12 Part 1 Theatre
11th March 2026 Speed Networking Event for Y12 Part 2 Theatre
12th March 2026 Dine and Discuss for Y12 (Humanities) REC
14th March 2025 Meducators HUB Events - Careers Development Workshop  
March 2026 BAE Systems Roadshow for Y7 Theatre
  SUMMER TERM  
6th May 2026 Interview Skills Day for Y9  
25th June 2026 Workplace Visits for Y10 Various
1st July 2026 Workplace Visits for Y8 Various
6th - 8th July 2026 Work Experience for Y10 and Y12 Various

Careers learning journey

Gordon’s School is committed to providing a planned programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), framed by the Gatsby Benchmarks, for all students in Years 7-13. Gordon’s School is also committed to achieving a range of outcomes for young people including the careers and work-related learning outcomes identified in the Careers Development Institute's (CDI's) Framework for Careers, employability and enterprise education (April 2021), as well as practical outcomes such as positive destinations, successful transitions and on-going development of employability skills. More information on both the Gatsby Benchmarks and the CDI Framework can be found here.

The programme is implemented through regular curriculum moments in PSHE and across each department, assemblies on options and pathways, and information events for both students and parents. There is exposure to employers and employees via the careers insight talks and during tutor time, giving students a chance to ask meaningful questions. Access to labour market information is delivered through tutor time activities and regular careers bulletins showcasing a wide variety of career sectors. Themed events throughout the year, including National Apprenticeship Week and National Careers Week strive to inspire and inform our learners and offer access to information on the full range of FE, HE and vocational pathways including apprenticeships and T levels. In addition, Gordon’s annual Careers Fair enables students across all years to engage with both employers and providers both locally and nationally.

Students in Years 10 and 12 benefit from the work experience programme to further develop their understanding of the world of work and what it takes to be successful. Work experience supports students in gaining insight into their career interests and values, and builds confidence and employability. The school also partners with INNERVATE Careers Service to provide impartial 121 careers advice during Year 10 and 12.

Overview 

years 7-9

Careers education for Years 7-9 is delivered through the PSHE curriculum, drop down days, assemblies, tutor time activities and talks. 

In Year 7 students will be introduced to the world of employment through topics such as assessing their personal strengths, careers, raising aspirations, leadership, and understanding behaviour at work.

In Year 8 there is an exciting competition about working in the NHS with a focus on equality of opportunity - the theme is careers in the NHS and life choices. Students are exposed to job descriptions, adverts and create their own application for the job for which they feel they are best suited. There is an analysis of the skills needed for the job. Students also learn strengths and behaviours required in the workplace and participate in a workplace visit.

In Year 9 students will understand career sectors and be exposed to labour market information. They will explore career pathways and important themes such as equality at work, and participate in an interview skills project with partners from business.

Every year group has access to a programme of industry speakers and educators supporting exploration of all pathways post 16 and 18. Key stage 3 students are introduced to the range of options from Year 7 and knowledge is consolidated as they move up the school. Themed events such as National Apprenticeship Week and National Careers Week ensure that students meet with employers and employees in order to have the opportunity for meaningful conversations. All students have access to the extensive programme of Careers Insight talks and assemblies, and attend the school Careers Fair. Careers information is embedded in all subjects' schemes of work and labour market information is shared regularly via the Careers Bulletin and in class. UNIFROG has been embedded across all year groups in school to support students on their Careers learning journey, with the capacity to document events and achievements and produce a comprehensive, progressive and personal record of student Career development.

Click here for the Key Stage 3 Academic Guide

years 10-11

Careers education in Year 10 is delivered through PSHE via specific employability modules, drop down days, assemblies, tutor time activities and talks. In Year 10 students learn how to write a CV, how to apply for a job with confidence and will also have an opportunity to learn interview skills.

In Year 11 the careers modules continue to be embedded in PSHE with the focus is on self-efficacy, future opportunities, personal leadership and readiness for work.

In both years speakers are invited to educate students in exploring all pathways including A Levels, apprenticeships, T Levels and employment. In addition, all Year 10 students receive a one-to-one careers guidance interview with an impartial careers advisor and participate in the work experience programme, designed to develop their employability skills and support them to make good decisions about their next steps.

Themed events such as National Apprenticeship Week and National Careers Week ensure that students meet with employers and employees in order to have the opportunity for meaningful conversations. All students have access to the extensive programme of Careers Insight talks and assemblies, and attend the school Careers Fair. Careers information is embedded in all subjects' schemes of work and labour market information is shared regularly via the Careers Bulletin and in class. UNIFROG has been embedded across all year groups in school to support students on their Careers learning journey, with the capacity to document events and achievements and produce a comprehensive, progressive and personal record of student Career development. 

Click here for the Key Stage 4 Options and Academic Guide

years 12-13

In Year 12 and Year 13 careers guidance has a focus on Post 18 progression which can take the form of gap year, employment, apprenticeships or university. Most students choose to go to university, although an increasing number successfully secure apprenticeships. To prepare for these pathways there are numerous key events across the two years which engage both parents and students and all routes are supported with access to appropriate advice and guidance.  The UCAS process is embedded in the sixth form programme, students have access to apprenticeship clinics for application advice and mentoring, and tutoring and guidance is available for Oxbridge and Medi/Vet.

Year 12 students attend the UCAS Fair and have the option to attend the Festival of Skills to support technical pathways and employment, in addition to the Gordon's School Careers Fair. Year 12 are required to participate in the work experience programme, designed to develop their employability skills and support their choices. All students are introduced to LinkedIn before undertaking work experience so they have the skills and knowledge to start building their network.

Themed events such as National Apprenticeship Week and National Careers Week ensure that students meet with employers and employees in order to have the opportunity for meaningful conversations. All students have access to the extensive programme of Careers Insight talks and assemblies. Careers information is embedded in all subjects' schemes of work and labour market information is shared regularly via the Careers Bulletin and in class. UNIFROG has been embedded across all year groups in school to support students on their Careers learning journey, with the capacity to document events and achievements and produce a comprehensive, progressive and personal record of student Career development.

Click here for the Sixth Form Options and Academic Guide

DROP in careers Support

Are you looking for advice on post 16 or post 18 options? Do you need support with your CV or personal statement, guidance on apprenticeship applications, or help with work experience and UNIFROG? Do you have any suggestions for job roles or industry sector speakers you would like to hear from?

Drop in careers support with Mrs Kennedy is available every Tuesday at 10:30am or you can book an appointment by email.

The Careers Hub Library resources are accessible to all students every Friday from 10am - 3pm or at any other time via appointment.

 

Careers Lead: Mrs A Kennedy 
Careers Link Governor: Mrs S Mathur
Contact Email: careers@gordons.school
The information on these pages is subject to review in September 2025