Careers

Our Careers programme ensures that every pupil is well prepared for the world of work, and our aim is to help pupils identify their strength and passions, and guide them accordingly. We are proud to hold the national quality mark for excellence in Careers education – the Quality in Careers Standard – which we were awarded in 2020 in recognition of our commitment to Careers Advice and Guidance. We were accredited for Investors in Careers in July of 2023 and are in the process of being assessed for reaccreditation in 2026.

Careers education begins in Year 7, and as a result our pupils gain a good understanding of the career paths open to them, and the subjects they need to study to achieve their goals. The majority go on to study at top universities after Sixth Form, and increasingly pupils are choosing to take up higher education apprenticeships with top employers such as Renishaw and Hazlewoods.

All our Careers activities are mapped against the Career Development Institute (CDI) Framework and the Gatsby Career Benchmarks; as a result, pupils develop key skills required in the world of work – communication, leadership, independent learning, problem-solving, teamwork, planning, motivation and interpersonal skills. Our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance and Work Related Learning Policy, see link below, sets out the Careers programme in more detail.

On This Page

Head of Careers: Mrs Jenny Manning (MEd, PGCert Careers Leadership, L6 Careers Advisor) jam@strs.org.uk.

Head of Higher Education: Mrs Catherine Morris clm@strs.org.uk.

Careers Administrator: Mrs Ruth Dempsey rmd@strs.org.uk.

Pupils crowding around a stand at the Careers Fayre

All Key Stage 3 pupils have tutor sessions looking at a variety of employment types, roles and industries. In addition, all pupils in Key Stage 3 have Careers education either through PSHE or in dedicated sessions. They also have the opportunity to take part in drop down days, where additional enrichment opportunities are offered.

Pupils are exposed to a broad range of employer encounters to broaden their knowledge of the working world and enable them to explore a diverse range of career paths.

Year 10 and Year 11 pupils have dedicated Careers sessions, plus Enrichment days. Pupils regularly undertake research into the labour market with the aim of working towards fulfilling their careers aspirations and targets. Working with Careers teachers, Form Tutors and the Head of Key Stage 4, each pupil creates a personalised career plan which is discussed further in one-to-one interviews.

All pupils have access to work experience in Year 10 and mock interviews in Year 11 alongside a number of employer encounters throughout Key Stage 4. All pupils in Key Stage 4 have access to a qualified Careers Advisor for guidance appointments.

Students in Key Stage 5 have bespoke Careers provision in each year through Enrichment, tutor time, drop down activities and presentations by visiting speakers from business and higher education.

Year 12 students undertake work experience, and are encouraged to research their post-18 options to ensure they are ready to make applications in Year 13 for university, apprenticeships, college or gap years. All students in KS5 have access to a qualified Careers Advisor for guidance appointments.

Please see the Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance and Work Related Learning Policy for more detailed information about provision in each year group.

Parents play a vital role in Careers education as they are often the most influential people in a young person's decision-making process. Regular conversations about future aspirations, strengths, interests and career opportunities can help young people make informed choices about their education and employment pathways. By discussing career opportunities and pathways at home, parents can build confidence, broaden their child's awareness of the wide range of opportunities available, and encourage them to explore options they may not have previously considered. A strong partnership between school and home helps ensure that young people receive consistent support, guidance and encouragement, enabling them to develop the knowledge, skills and ambition needed to achieve their future goals.

To help parents stay informed and confident in supporting their child’s future decisions, we provide a weekly Careers Newsletter to both parents and students packed with the latest labour market information (LMI), industry insights, apprenticeship and university updates, employer engagement opportunities, and a ‘University of the Week’ feature. Combined with access to Unifrog, our online platform, parents can access up-to-date information on career pathways, higher education options, apprenticeships, and skills development whenever they need it. These resources enable families to have meaningful, informed conversations at home, and ensure that parents are equipped with the most current information to guide and support their young person as they plan for their future. Previous copies of the newsletter can be found on Sharepoint for your information.

A number of links to useful resources for parents are listed below.

Careers education is particularly important for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as it helps pupils develop the confidence, independence and skills needed to make successful transitions into further education, employment and adult life. Our Careers programme enables SEND students to understand their strengths, identify realistic and ambitious goals, and explore the wide range of pathways available to them.

The Careers Department play a crucial role by providing personalised guidance, meaningful encounters with employers, workplace experiences, and opportunities to develop essential employability and life skills. Through early preparation, tailored support and close collaboration with the SEND Department, Careers education at Sir Thomas Rich’s can help SEND pupils overcome barriers, raise aspirations and ensure they are well-equipped to achieve fulfilling and sustainable futures.

High-quality guidance is a crucial element of effective Careers education, helping pupils to understand their options, make informed decisions and plan confidently for their future.

Personalised guidance provides pupils with the opportunity to explore their interests, strengths and aspirations, whilst receiving impartial advice on pathways including apprenticeships, university, employment and further training. At Sir Thomas Rich's, Careers guidance is led by Mrs Manning, a fully qualified Level 7 Careers Adviser, who is supported by an additional external Careers Adviser, and Mrs Morris, Higher Education Lead. Together, they provide expert support tailored to each pupil's individual needs and ambitions. Pupils can request a Careers guidance appointment at any time, ensuring they have access to professional advice and guidance whenever they need support with important decisions about their future.

Work experience remains a vital component of Careers education, and our programme reflects the latest developments in Careers legislation and the evolving expectations of Modern Work Experience outlined in 2026. Today's work experience is no longer viewed as a single placement, but as part of a broader programme of employer engagement, workplace learning and skills development that prepares young people for modern employment.

In addition to a number of experiences of the workplace in Key Stage 3, all pupils undertake a five-day work experience placement in Year 10, enabling them to gain valuable exposure to the workplace, develop essential employability skills, build confidence and explore potential career pathways. Pupils are then offered a further work experience opportunity in Year 12, providing more specialised insight into careers linked to their future aspirations and post-18 plans. These experiences help pupils develop professional behaviours, workplace competencies and real-world understanding, ensuring they are better prepared for higher education, apprenticeships and employment in an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing labour market.

Pupils are encouraged to source their own work experience placements, helping them take ownership of the process and develop valuable employability skills such as communication, initiative, networking and professionalism. Parents can play an important role in supporting this search by helping their child explore potential opportunities through family, friends and local business contacts, as well as organisations they may already be familiar with. Pupils should consider placements linked to their career interests, hobbies or future aspirations and can use resources such as Unifrog, company websites, local employers, public sector organisations, charities, healthcare providers and community groups to generate ideas. The process of finding and securing a placement is itself an important learning experience, helping pupils build confidence and develop the skills needed to access future employment, apprenticeships and higher education opportunities. More information can be found on the Sharepoint page about work experience.

Careers education is most effective when it is fully embedded across the curriculum, helping pupils understand the relevance of their learning and the opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. By linking subjects to real-world careers, pupils are able to see how the knowledge and skills they develop in lessons can be applied in a wide range of industries and professions. At Sir Thomas Rich's, Careers education is woven throughout the curriculum through employer and alumni speakers, educational visits, workplace encounters, enterprise activities, curriculum projects and enrichment opportunities. These experiences help pupils raise their aspirations, challenge stereotypes, develop employability skills and make informed choices about their future pathways.

Embedding Careers across all subjects ensures that every pupil has regular exposure to meaningful career learning, enabling them to understand the breadth of opportunities available and prepare successfully for life beyond school.

Employers play a crucial role in an effective Careers programme by helping pupils connect their education to the realities of the workplace. Direct encounters with employers provide valuable insights into different industries, career pathways and the skills, behaviours and qualifications that are most valued in today's labour market. Through talks, mentoring, mock interviews, workshops, enterprise activities, workplace visits and work experience placements, employers help bring Careers education to life and broaden pupils' horizons. These meaningful interactions enable students to develop their employability skills, challenge stereotypes, raise aspirations and gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities available to them. By working closely with employers, Sir Thomas Rich's ensures that Careers education is relevant, up-to-date and equips young people with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to thrive in their future careers.

Our pupils are entitled in Year 7 to 13:

  • To find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities, as part of a Careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition stage.
  • To access a range of local providers to learn about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships.
  • To understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

Examples of successful employer links:

  • Careers insight talks
  • Workplace visits for staff
  • Workplace visits for pupils
  • Supporting a curriculum area (staff CPD, pupil masterclasses, supporting a lesson)
  • Work experience placements
  • Mentoring a pupil
  • Mock interview practice
  • Sponsoring a Careers Department event or project

To support any of these areas, or any other ideas you may have, please contact our Head of Careers, Mrs Manning for more information on jam@strs.org.uk.

To read the Sir Thomas Rich's Provider Access Statement in full, please refer to the Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance and Work Related Learning Policy.