Careers

At KS3 careers learning takes place within the Healthy Living Programme, as part of the form time curriculum and as part of scheduled "Be Ready" sessions.

The focus at KS3 is to introduce students to key careers terminology, roles and responsibilities within the workplace as well as considering how they are developing their own employability skills in preparation for working life.

All students have access to a Unifrog account which is used to record their engagement within careers activities but also as a platform to explore labour market information.

Year 9 students in particular are given support when making their option choices for GCSE study and have access to 1:1 careers guidance if requested.

Below is an example outline of Careers learning in each year group at form times and on ORBIS Enriched Curriculum sessions, where relevant. Please be aware that these activities may change.

At KS4 careers learning takes places within the Healthy Living Programme, as part of the form time curriculum and as part of scheduled "Be Ready" Sessions.

The focus at KS4 is to prepare students for their future with a focus on post-16 study and future employment. As part of the form time curriculum students have talks from local colleges, universities and prospective employers and in Year 11 all students receive a 1:1 careers guidance interview with our careers advisor, Mrs Fernandes.

Below is an outline of Careers learning in each year group at form times and on "Be Ready" sessions, where relevant. Please be aware that these activities may change.

Careers learning which takes place within the Healthy living curriculum can be found in more detail here.

In Key Stage 5 careers learning takes places within the Healthy Living Programme, as part of the form time curriculum and as part of scheduled "Be Ready" Sessions.

The focus in the sixth form is on next steps and students receive an additional careers guidance interview at the end of Year 12 or beginning of Year 13 to support them in making choices about their next steps.

All sixth form students experience a university taster day and have the chance to visit a UCAS information fair. We also ensure that students have access to information about all Post-18 options including Degree Apprenticeships and we expect Year 12 students to complete a work experience placement during work experience week.

Below is an outline of Careers learning in each year group at form times and on ORBIS Enriched Curriculum sessions, where relevant. Please be aware that these activities may change.

Careers learning which takes place within the Healthy living curriculum can be found in more detail here.

Useful websites for students:

Useful websites for parents/carers

For parents/carers with specific queries related to post-16 study, and beyond, our careers advisor is available during the sixth form open evening to answer any questions parents/carers may have.

Information for providers

Please see our provider access policy in the policies section of the website here for more information.

Industry partner - Harrison Bartlett

Harrison Bartlett is an Emerging Talent Advisor at Kier Group, and partnered with us in 2025, becoming our official school industry partner. In this role, Harrison works closely with our Careers Lead, supporting with organising careers initiatives, supporting the implementation of our careers programme, providing labour market information on the construction industry and promoting the industry to our students.

In his day-to-day role, Harrison oversees and supports several apprentices, graduates and placement students within Kier's Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks business stream. Harrison has a passion for working with, developing, and supporting people finding their way in the construction industry, including young people. Which is exactly why he was keen on joining up with us as an industry partner.

Kier Group, is a leading provider of construction, infrastructure, and property developments in the UK, with a commitment to leaving lasting legacies in the communities they serve. The company is made up of around 10,000 employees, across sites, depots and offices, working to deliver infrastructure which is vital to the UK. Kier operate all across the UK, with key projects from Plymouth to Northamptonshire, Birmingham to Glasgow, and plenty in between.

One thing that Harrison is keen on showcasing to our students at Southfield School is that, the construction industry is full of opportunity, and it isn't simply just about muddy boots and hardhats. Kier offer a range of meaningful careers, which of course includes those site-based roles, as well as other routes like HR, comms & marketing, design, engineering, quantity surveying, and more.

Not only this, but he is keen on promoting the ways in which students can look to forge a career in construction, through apprenticeships (degree apprenticeships too), graduate schemes, or work placement opportunities. Having started his journey at Kier as an apprentice himself, it's something he is particularly familiar with.