Careers

Your Future, Made at Parkside.

At Parkside, we believe that every student deserves a clear map to a successful future. Our Universal Careers Entitlement is our promise to you that high-quality guidance is never an optional extra, but a fundamental pillar of your education. We ensure that all students, regardless of their starting point, have access to the tools, employer encounters, and expert advice needed to navigate their next steps with confidence. Furthermore, we recognise that some students benefit from more personalised pathways; for these individuals, we provide a Bespoke Programme, featuring targeted events and specialist interventions designed to meet their specific aspirations and needs.

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 including:

Dedicated Lessons: Integrated into the PSHCE and coaching programmes.
Inspiring Events: Special assemblies, themed drop-down days, and motivational speakers.
Hands-on Activities: Enterprise challenges and sector-specific workshops.
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.

Our 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:

One-to-one guidance interviews to explore personal goals.

Practical support with applications for college, Sixth Form, apprenticeships, and universities.

Critical guidance for students in Year 9 as they make their GCSE choices.

Ongoing support before and after results days to help students secure their post-16 and post-18 destinations.

Our Team:

Careers Leader: Mrs Stewart

Careers Advisor: Mr Grant

Governor: Mrs Speed

Enterprise Advisor: Diana Scholefield (Managing Director, Gesipa)

Get Involved
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:

Providing direct experience to help students explore careers and expand their networks.

Developing the key employability skills that local and national employers demand.

Fostering a spirit of enterprise and innovation in our students.

Providing up to date labour market information (LMI) and skill gaps within the district and region.

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.

We are always looking to expand our network of partners to inspire our students. If you, your business or if you an alumni, 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 (Careers Leader):

sue.stewart@parksideschool.net

01535 270100

Information for Parents & Carers
We are committed to providing your child with the best guidance for their next steps, which is why we use Unifrog – a powerful, all-in-one platform for careers guidance, university research, and apprenticeship exploration.

Unifrog supports students in finding the best fit for them after leaving school by centralising all post-16 and post-18 options:

University Search: Comprehensive databases for degree courses in the UK (UCAS), US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Apprenticeships & T-Levels: Up-to-date information on the latest vocational pathways.

College/Sixth Form: Tools to research courses and entry requirements.

Careers Library: Students can research hundreds of careers and see the necessary subjects and qualifications.

Skills Recording: A dedicated ‘Locker’ where students can log their experiences, skills, and volunteering – vital for applications and interviews.

How can you help? Please encourage your child to regularly log in to Unifrog. Reviewing their career interests and the universities/apprenticeships they are ‘shortlisting’ together is a fantastic way to support their decision-making process. You will soon be able to log in via the Parent Portal. Our Careers Team will let you know when this available.

Careers, Education, Information, Advice & Guidance Plan

Understanding the Future of Work: Labour Market Information (LMI)
Labour Market Information (LMI) is a vital tool that helps our students navigate the complex world of work by providing a clear picture of the current job market.

It covers everything from local and national industries to typical pay scales, required skills, and which sectors are growing.

What is LMI and why do I need to know it?

Click here for further information.

By looking at the story behind the numbers such as which jobs are in high demand in the Leeds City Region for example, like Digital, Health and Engineering, students can move past the “accidental” career path and make proactive, informed choices about their future.

We encourage parents and carers to explore these resources with their children to help them plan their next steps effectively. Whether your child is choosing GCSE options, looking at apprenticeships, or considering university, using tools like the National Careers Service or LMI for All allows them to compare different careers and see where the opportunities lie.

In addition, tools like Researching early ensures they have a solid backup plan and a realistic understanding of how to reach their dream job.

Useful Links:

iCould: Real life career videos and ideas for your future

Jobs for the Future: Link 1 Link 2

Thinking Outside The Box: Link 1

Students

Staff

Parents/Carers

Your Future, Made at Parkside.

A journey from Year 7 to Year 11

Careers in the Classroom

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