Careers

All students work with form tutors and subject teachers on aspects of managing myself and working with others. Pastoral Managers and Heads of Year ensure that students who need extra support in these areas are accommodated. Whilst planning my future and success in the workplace are elements of the careers programme the skills employers require are embedded in the teaching of the National Curriculum from Y7 onwards and are reinforced by strong pastoral support and encouraged by the ethos of the school. A varied extra-curricular programme is available to all students and regular charity fundraising initiatives are part of the school calendar. Retreats are an integral part of the school year where students learn more about themselves and working with others. Specific careers elements are delivered during Enrichment Day activities, PHSE time and form time.

The school employs an Independent Careers Advisor through Sheffield Futures who is in school one day per week providing impartial advice and guidance. Any student can see the careers advisor at a lunchtime or break time on that day.

The school works with the Sheffield Careers and Enterprise Company through which links are made with local employers who support school careers activities. A programme of “Working Lunches” are advertised to students where they can talk to people from different careers and the school makes use of its alumni wherever possible for careers input.


Year 7 “Independence”

– Pastoral staff and Head of Year visit primary schools to introduce themselves and the school to Y6 students. Y6 parents are invited to information evenings in school and meet Y7 form tutors. Y6 students attend taster days in school and meet their Y7 form tutors.

– Year 7 students are introduced to the skills required to help them make the steps along their career journey.

– The first year in school will concentrate on time management, organisation and working with others.

– Specific careers information will be given through form time activities, assemblies and subject specific trips and visits.


Year 8 “Making Choices”

– GCSE Options. Students will have assemblies about option choices and subject taster sessions on the Enrichment Day in January. Parents and carers are invited to an options evening in March.

– Y8 Information Evening for Parents in September

– Y8 Parents Evening

– Students are invited to become part of the Big Challenge – the Sheffield Enterprise Competition.

– Specific careers information will be given through form time activities, assemblies and subject specific trips and visits.


Year 9 “Finding Out”

– Y9 Information Evening for Parents in September

– Y9 Parents Evening

– Specific careers information will be given through form time activities, assemblies and subject specific trips and visits.

– GCSE options revisited


By the end of KS3 all students will have:

– An awareness and understanding of their strengths, achievements and weaknesses and support to evaluate how these might inform future choices in learning and work.

– An increased understanding of the full range of 14-19 opportunities for progression.

– An awareness and understanding of some of the qualities, skills and attitudes needed for employability.

– Received detailed and appropriate help, support and guidance on KS4 options and been supported in their application to their chosen subjects.

– Opportunities to learn more about specific careers through independent research, assemblies and talks.


Year 10 “Looking Forward”

– Appointments are made for students to attend careers interviews. Some parents will be invited to attend but any parent can request this.

– Enrichment Day 1 in October. Invited speakers talk to students about their careers. Students are encouraged to look towards what their next step will be.

– In the summer of Y10 students have 7 one hour sessions looking at career planning and the Sheffield application process; UCAS Progress. All students in Sheffield will apply for their Post 16 place through this online system which has extensive career and course search tools.

– Sheffield College taster sessions take place in July of Y10 and school guidance staff accompany students.

– Information Evening for parents and carers in September.

– Y10 Parents Evening

– Students are encouraged to look for work experience and any opportunities are advertised through SMHW and school noticeboards.

– Post 16 Newsletter is emailed to parents.


Year 11 “Making Decisions” 

– Careers Interviews continue.

– Calendar of city wide events/open evenings (Post 16 providers) is displayed in form rooms and on the careers noticeboard. A Sheffield Futures Options booklet detailing all providers is supplied to every student.

– UCAS Progress – students use this website to search for opportunities Post 16 and apply for their next place.

– On Enrichment Day 1 in Y11 students will opt into taster sessions in A levels, apprenticeships or college courses with Notre Dame 6th Form tutors and outside Post 16 providers.

– Students are accompanied to College and apprenticeship events.

– On Enrichment Day 2 Y11 students will be reminded of the skills employers are looking for and how to evidence them. Students will also work on interview techniques and CV writing.

– Students are encouraged to look for work experience and any opportunities are advertised through SMHW and school noticeboards.

– Enterprise partners (local businesses) are invited into school to discuss opportunities with students.

– Notre Dame Sixth form information morning and assembly.

– Sixth form interviews.

– Post 16 Newsletter is emailed to parents.


By the end of KS4 all students will have: 

– Enhanced self-knowledge and employability skills.

– Been given direct access to employers, colleges and training providers.

– Been given guidance to help identify a range of post 16 options and careers advice and support networks.

– Applied for their Post 16 place.


Sixth Form

– On GCSE results day in August and then in September of Year 12, students have discussions with both form tutors and VI Form staff about their A Level choices to ensure they are appropriate for the student and in line with their future plans.

– On Enrichment Days 1 and 2 in October, Year 12 students are given an introduction to both Advanced Apprenticeships and University and the possible advantages and disadvantages of these routes. They also have sessions covering drive safe, blood donation & drugs/alcohol awareness.

– During March of year 12, students attend the HE evening in school and have the option of attending the Oxbridge evening. This event includes speakers from school, student finance and University.

– In June of Year 12, students access the UCAS Fair at Sheffield Arena, as well as various university open days.

– Summer enrichment days include visits to University, personal statement & student finance talks, as well as talks on gap years, Degree Apprenticeships & Advanced Apprenticeships. Students also sign up for UCAS Apply in preparation for their university applications. University entrance tests are also covered during this time.

– In September, Year 13 students are invited to an Oxbridge information session led by current Oxbridge students shortly before the application process starts.

– During October/November/December of Year 13, students apply to University through UCAS. Year 13 students also focus on personal statements and completing the UCAS application during the October enrichment days.

– Support is available from February to results day in August covering UCAS Extra, clearing, student finance and accommodation.

– Apprenticeship vacancies are sent out to students throughout Year 12 & 13.

– Throughout Year 12 and 13, students have access to a qualified careers advisers within school, plus a careers adviser from Sheffield Futures.

– Students also have the opportunity to access work experience, work placements, various university taster days and access talks from various speakers who come into school representing different institutions, courses and companies.


By the end of KS5 all students will have:

– Enhanced self-knowledge and employability skills.

– Been given direct access to employers, colleges, universities and training providers.

– Been supported in finding and taking up work experience.

– Been given guidance to help identify a range of post 18 options and careers advice and support networks.

– Been provided with resources, guidance and support to complete UCAS applications.

Careers Provider Access Policy – June 2022