Your Future, Made at Parkside.
At Parkside, preparing students for a successful and fulfilling life after school is a cornerstone of our education. Our comprehensive Careers Programme, spanning from Year 7 all the way to Sixth Form, is about more than just finding a job; it’s about connecting learning to life and empowering students to achieve their goals.
We believe excellent careers guidance widens horizons, challenges stereotypes, and raises aspirations. It motivates students by giving them a clear sightline to the engaging and rewarding futures they can build. Our programme is designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and real-world encounters necessary for every student to make confident, informed transitions to their next stage.
A Journey from Year 7 to Year 11
Our careers education isn’t a one-off event; it’s a structured journey woven into the fabric of school life. As a core part of our Personal Development curriculum, the programme builds confidence and awareness year after year.
This journey involves a rich mix of experiences:
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Dedicated Lessons: Integrated into the PSHCE and coaching programmes.
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Inspiring Events: Special assemblies, themed drop-down days, and motivational speakers.
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Hands-on Activities: Enterprise challenges and sector-specific workshops.
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Expert Guidance: Personalised career interviews and support.
Careers in the Classroom
We believe careers guidance is most powerful when it’s connected to everyday learning. Our programme focuses on delivery within curriculum subjects, helping students identify subject-related pathways and develop crucial employability skills.
Every faculty has a designated lead who actively highlights the jobs and skills relevant to their subject, showing students the real-world value of their studies. This is supplemented by innovative learning opportunities through our partnerships with STEM organisations and local businesses.
Your Dedicated Careers Team
No student is on this journey alone. Our dedicated team provides impartial, expert advice and guidance to all students, ensuring they receive unbiased information about all potential next steps.
Our team includes a Senior Careers Leader and an external, independent Careers Advisor, all overseen by a dedicated member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Our personalised support services include:
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One-to-one guidance interviews to explore personal goals.
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Practical support with applications for college, Sixth Form, apprenticeships, and universities.
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Critical guidance for students in Year 9 as they make their GCSE choices.
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Ongoing support before and after results days to help students secure their post-16 and post-18 destinations.
Real-World Experience: Employer Engagement
We are committed to giving our students first-hand, meaningful experiences of the workplace. Our strong and growing partnerships with local employers are central to our programme.
These partnerships focus on:
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Providing direct experience to help students explore careers and expand their networks.
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Developing the key employability skills that local and national employers demand.
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Fostering a spirit of enterprise and innovation in our students.
Our programme is constantly evolving to meet the needs of our students. We actively gather feedback from students, parents, & teachers and use destination data to monitor our impact to ensure we are always providing the very best preparation for the future.
Get Involved
We are always looking to expand our network of partners to inspire our students. If you or your business could support us by offering a workplace visit, delivering a workshop, guest speaking, or providing other opportunities, we would love to hear from you.
Please contact Sue Stewart (Senior Careers Leader):
sue.stewart@parksideschool.net / 01535 270100