College Career Plan

Year 7

Introduction to Careers

Year 8

Exploring Pathways and Aspirations

Year 9

Making Informed Choices

Year 10

Preparation for the World of Work

Year 11

Transition and Next Steps

Autumn

•  What is a career? Understanding jobs, employment, and the world of work
• Identifying personal strengths, values, and interests
• Introduction to goal setting and career vocabulary

• Introduction to post-16 pathways: GCSEs, T Levels, apprenticeships.
• Self-assessment of skills and qualities.
• Start using a personal digital careers platform

• Support with choosing GCSE options based on strengths/interests.
• Start building a careers portfolio (digital or paper-based).
• Introduction to career clusters and pathways.

• CV writing and personal statement basics.
• Research into post-16 routes including vocational options.
• Using online tools to compare providers.

• One-to-one careers interviews with careers adviser.
• Begin post-16 applications with guidance.
• Personal statement writing and refining.

Spring

• Develop core employability skills: teamwork, communication, and listening.
• Visits from local role models or community speakers.
• Exploring dream jobs and pathways to get there

• Careers software (e.g. Start or Unifrog) profile development.
• Guest speakers from a range of career sectors.
• Introduction to gender stereotypes and equality in careers

• Explore Labour Market Information (LMI) and job market trends.
• Create/update personal career action plan.
• Understand key qualifications and subject relevance.

• Work experience preparation (mock tasks or employer challenges).
• Digital employability skills workshop (LinkedIn/email).
• Practice using interview techniques in pairs or small groups.

• UCAS Progress or online platform application sessions.
• -Visit colleges/ apprenticeship providers (virtual or in-person).
• Support with updating CVs and covering letters.

Summer

• Participate in a careers-themed cross-curricular project
• Local business or virtual workplace tour.
• Reflection activity on how school links to careers

• Enterprise project (e.g. Dragons’ Den challenge).
• Visit to a local FE college or skills fair.
• Presentation skills workshop to showcase learning.

• STEM career taster sessions or virtual workshops.
• Careers carousel or industry day.
• Reflections on personal goals and GCSE subjects.

• Mock interviews with external visitors.
• Personal guidance interviews with careers staff.
• Group feedback and improvement planning.

• Transition workshops on life after Year 11.
• Alumni Q&A or employer engagement event.
• Final review of goals, next steps, and resilience planning.

Year 7

Introduction to Careers

Year 8

Exploring Pathways and Aspirations

Year 9

Making Informed Choices

Year 10

Preparation for the World of Work

Year 11

Transition and Next Steps

• To experience careers through curriculum learning.

• Introduction to the concept of a career and the world of work.

• Understanding personal strengths, interests, and aspirations.

• Building early employability skills like teamwork and communication

• Learn about different post-16 pathways including GCSEs, T Levels, apprenticeships, and vocational routes.

• Complete self-assessments and skills audits using careers platforms like Start or Unifrog.

• Hear from guest speakers and employers across a variety of sectors.

• Take part in an enterprise project or business challenge to apply problem-solving and presentation skills.

• Receive targeted support when choosing GCSE options, with focus on future implications.

• Explore real-time Labour Market Information (LMI) to identify high-growth industries and local opportunities.

• Begin building a personal careers portfolio to track experiences, interests, and goals.

• Create a basic career action plan with steps for personal development.

• Participate in CV writing workshops and mock interview preparation sessions.

• Research different providers (colleges, sixth forms, training schemes) and attend virtual or in-person open events.

• Receive digital and professional skills training, including online safety and email/LinkedIn use.

• Begin preparing for a work experience placement or workplace encounter.

• Take part in one-to-one careers guidance interviews tailored to individual plans.
• Get support with completing college or apprenticeship applications, including personal statements.
• Engage in mock interviews with external professionals or alumni.
• Attend transition workshops to prepare for results day, next steps, and dealing with change confidently.

• Begin preparing for a work experience placement or workplace encounter.