Careers

Careers is the Practical Application of Aspiration

At KSA, we believe every student deserves the knowledge, experiences and guidance needed to aspire, achieve and succeed, regardless of background or circumstance.

Our Careers Aspiration Framework helps students understand their strengths, interests and values whilst exploring the opportunities available to them. Through careers education, employer encounters, workplace experiences and personalised guidance, we support students to make informed decisions about their future and prepare successfully for life beyond school.

We want every student to leave KSA as an informed, ambitious and career-ready young person who is equipped to progress confidently into further education, employment, apprenticeships or training. This ambition is realised through a carefully planned programme of careers education and experiences throughout students' time at KSA.

Contact

Enrichment and Careers Lead: Miss E. Brown

Email: e.brown@kenstimpson.org.uk

Tel No: 01733 765950

Our Careers Programme

Our careers programme is carefully designed to support students throughout their journey at KSA.

Students take part in a wide range of careers-related experiences, including:

Careers education through Personal Development lessons
Careers learning within curriculum subjects
Employer encounters and guest speakers
Workplace visits and experiences
Careers fairs and networking opportunities
Encounters with colleges, universities and training providers
Personal guidance interviews
Support with applications, CV writing and interview preparation

These experiences help students to develop their understanding of the opportunities available to them and how their education can support their future ambitions.

Gatsby Benchmarks

Our Careers Aspiration Framework is designed around the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance, which provide the national standard for high-quality careers education. By embedding the Gatsby Benchmarks throughout our careers programme, we ensure that students benefit from a progressive programme of careers learning, meaningful encounters with employers and education providers, experiences of workplaces and personalised guidance. This helps students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to make informed decisions and successfully transition into their next stage of education, employment or training.

The KSA Careers Journey

Year 7 & 8: Phase 1 - Purpose

Key Question: Who do I want to become?

In Years 7 and 8, students begin exploring their strengths, interests and aspirations whilst developing an understanding of the opportunities available to them. Through Personal Development lessons, Unifrog, employer encounters, careers events and enrichment activities, students meet inspiring role models, learn about a variety of professions and begin to understand how their education can support their future ambitions. As they progress through Key Stage 3, students are encouraged to broaden their horizons, challenge stereotypes and make informed choices about the next stage of their educational journey.

In Phase 1, students:

Develop ambition and aspiration.
Explore their identity, values and interests.
Encounter role models and a variety of professions.
Begin linking their education to future opportunities.

Key Experiences Include:

Unifrog
Personal Development careers lessons
BAE Roadshow
International Buddy Programme
Careers Fair
Guess the Professional
Employer and enrichment workshops
Pathways Information Evening
Pathways Guidance and Interviews

Year 9: Phase 2 - Skills

Key Question: What strengths and qualities do I have?

In Year 9, students focus on identifying their strengths, developing key employability skills and understanding how these can support future success. Through Personal Development lessons, Unifrog, employer encounters and careers events, students explore the skills valued by employers, reflect on their own qualities and begin applying these through authentic experiences and interactions with the world of work.

Students:

Identify personal strengths.
Develop transferable employability skills.
Understand how skills create success.
Apply skills through projects and authentic experiences.

Key Experiences Include:

Unifrog
Personal Development careers lessons
Skills through subject specific projects
Business Network Event
Apprenticeship Assembly
Careers Fair
Employer workshops and visits
Additional careers and enrichment opportunities as they arise.

Year 9 & Year 10: Phase 3 - Explore

Key Question: What opportunities and careers pathways exist?

In Year 9 & 10, students explore the wide range of opportunities available to them after school and gain first-hand experience of the world of work. Through Personal Development lessons, Unifrog, employer encounters, college and university visits, careers events and a week-long work experience placement, students investigate different career pathways, qualifications and destinations. These experiences help students make informed decisions about their future and develop a deeper understanding of the routes available to them.

Students:

Explore careers and industries.
Investigate qualifications and career pathways.
Engage with employers and education providers.
Participate in work-related learning experiences.

Key Experiences Include:

Unifrog
Personal Development careers lessons
Local college taster days and assemblies
Apprenticeship Assembly
Work Experience Week
Work Experience preparation workshop
Work Experience evaluation workshop
Mock Interviews
University, employer and careers workshops/visits
Year 10 Careers Week
Careers Fair

Year 11: Phase 4 - Prepare

Key Question: What are my future steps?

In Year 11, students focus on preparing for their next stage of education, training or employment. Through personalised careers guidance, post-16 transition activities and practical application support, students are encouraged to turn their aspirations into clear and achievable plans. They develop the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to make informed decisions, submit strong applications and successfully transition to their chosen destination.

Students:

Receive personalised guidance.
Prepare for post-16 transitions.
Develop interview and application skills.
Turn aspirations into concrete plans.

Key Experiences Include:

Post-16 Taster Days
One-to-One Careers Interviews
Sixth Form Induction Days
Mock Interviews
CV Workshops
Unifrog
Personal Development careers lessons
Careers Fair

Sixth Form: Phase 5 - Prepare and Progress

Key Question: What are my future steps?

In Sixth Form, students refine their ambitions and take the final steps towards their chosen destinations. Through personalised guidance, work experience, university and apprenticeship support, employer encounters and progression-focused careers education, students build the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to make successful applications and transitions into higher education, apprenticeships or employment.

Students:

Align their strengths, interests and aspirations with future pathways.
Build evidence, skills and experiences to support progression.
Access work experience, university opportunities and personalised careers guidance.
Make successful transitions into higher education, apprenticeships or employment.

Key Experiences Include:

Unifrog
Timetabled Careers Lessons
UCAS Application and Personal Statement Support
University Taster Days and University Visits
Sutton Trust Opportunities
Employer Workshops and Visits
Mock Interviews
One-to-One Careers Interviews
Year 12 Work Experience (Two Weeks)
Work Experience Preparation and Reflection Activities
Apprenticeship Information and Application Support
Young Enterprise
Careers Fair

Employer Engagement

Here at Ken Stimpson Academy we are committed to providing our students with a quality Careers Programme that gives them the opportunity to build their confidence and develop their skills to enable them to make informed decisions regarding their future pathway into the world of work. To deliver this programme we rely on the support of businesses in and around Peterborough who are willing to support our activities. If you are an employer and would like to support our students and potentially develop your own staff, please do contact me to discuss further - e.brown@kenstimpson.org.uk

Activities and events, we currently offer include:

Business Networking Events
Mock Interviews
Business Challenges
Mentoring

This list is by no means limited so if you have any ideas on how you could support please do let me know.

Once again many thanks on behalf of our students to those businesses who already support our programme and I look forward to hearing from those who would like to support in the future.