back to ks3 support back to ks4/5 support

Throughout secondary school you will be able to learn about careers and will be supported when making key decisions about your future.

During Year 10 and 11 you will continue to explore your career ideas and make choices and decisions about your future including your Post 16 options.

  • You will gain the knowledge and understanding to help you explore and develop ideas about possible future careers and aspirations.
  • You will be provided with different opportunities to learn about the world of work, be more aware of the different types of careers available, understand different entry and progression routes as well as the range of options available to you in the future.

Below is an example of the different areas within careers that you may learn about. You should note that this is an example and it will depend on which academy you attend as the content may differ slightly and you may learn at different times to those shown.

You may learn about careers in many different ways which could be within your lessons, during form time, by going on a visit, attending a specific event, through a group workshop or in a one-to-one meeting.

There may also be additional areas you learn about which are not shown below.

You may not realise that you are learning about careers in your Maths lesson!  Try to see how many times you can link careers within your subjects and consider how different subjects combine together in different job sectors.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Years 7, 8 and 9

  • Transition from primary school to secondary school
  • Understanding why careers are important
  • Links between the subjects studied and the workplace
  • Understanding different occupational areas
  • Equal opportunities and stereotypes
  • Exploring, using and understanding different types of information e.g. biased or persuasive
  • Understanding the structure of the workplace
  • Exploring different qualifications, progression routes and pathways available
  • Understanding STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) related jobs
  • Decision-making
  • Peer pressure and influences of others in decision-making
  • GCSE option process
  • Implications of choices and potential progressions pathways
  • Challenging stereotypes in the workplace
  • Understanding labour market information
  • Setting personal goals and targets
  • Exploring aspirations and pathways
  • Knowing where you can find information and who can help

You may not realise that you are learning about careers in your Maths lesson!  Try to see how many times you can link careers within your subjects and consider how different subjects combine together in different job sectors.

Year 7

  • Transition from primary school to secondary school
  • Understanding why careers are important
  • Links between the subjects studied and the workplace
  • Understanding different occupational areas

Year 8

  • Equal opportunities and stereotypes
  • Exploring, using and understanding different types of information e.g. biased or persuasive
  • Understanding the structure of the workplace
  • Exploring different qualifications, progression routes and pathways available
  • Understanding STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) related jobs

Year 9

  • Decision-making
  • Peer pressure and influences of others in decision-making
  • GCSE option process
  • Implications of choices and potential progressions pathways
  • Challenging stereotypes in the workplace
  • Understanding labour market information

Years 7, 8 and 9

  • Setting personal goals and targets
  • Exploring aspirations and pathways
  • Knowing where you can find information and who can help

When studying your GCSE subjects, consider the types of careers that may relate to the subject area, research how subjects can lead to different career pathways, and think how your different subjects link together and are combined in many different careers.

Year 10
Preparing for the world of work and employability skills

Year 11
Post-16 options and future careers pathways

Years 10 and 11
Self-development

  • External influences and pressures
  • Stereotypes and diversity
  • Exploring Labour Market Information
  • Employability skills – CVs, applications, interview skills, presentation
  • Understanding the changing world of work
  • Experience of the workplace, including an understanding of health and safety
  • Finance education – managing money and budgeting
  • Understanding all post 16 options available, including sixth form, college, apprenticeships, training and volunteering
  • Knowledge of different types of courses, entry requirements, course content and levels
  • Awareness of post 18 options, e.g. university, higher apprenticeships
  • Understanding the benefits of voluntary work and work experience
  • Understanding financial implications – money management and budgeting
  • Setting personal goals and targets
  • Exploring aspirations
  • Possibility to have access to impartial careers guidance advisors
  • Knowing where you can find information and who can help

When studying your GCSE subjects, consider the types of careers that may relate to the subject area, research how subjects can lead to different career pathways, and think how your different subjects link together and are combined in many different careers.

Year 10
Preparing for the world of work and employability skills

  • External influences and pressures
  • Stereotypes and diversity
  • Exploring Labour Market Information
  • Employability skills – CVs, applications, interview skills, presentation
  • Understanding the changing world of work
  • Experience of the workplace, including an understanding of health and safety
  • Finance education – managing money and budgeting

Year 11
Post-16 options and future career pathways

  • Understanding all post 16 options available, including sixth form, college, apprenticeships, training and volunteering
  • Knowledge of different types of courses, entry requirements, course content and levels
  • Awareness of post 18 options, e.g. university, higher apprenticeships
  • Understanding the benefits of voluntary work and work experience
  • Understanding financial implications – money management and budgeting

Years 10 and 11
Self-development

  • Setting personal goals and targets
  • Exploring aspirations
  • Possibility to have access to impartial careers guidance advisors
  • Knowing where you can find information and who can help