Our Careers Programme

Helping every student understand their strengths, explore ambitious pathways and make informed decisions about their future.

The Ridgeway Careers Curriculum provides students with inspirational, achievable and up-to-date careers information, advice and guidance so that they can make informed choices about their future.

Every year group has dedicated careers learning through the tutor programme, supported by activities at key transition points. These include employer encounters, interview experiences, progression activities and work experience.

Every student has access to a dedicated careers platform offering a range of tools and resources, alongside access to an independent careers adviser for personalised support and guidance.

What we want students to achieve

Self-awareness

•    Understand their interests, strengths, skills and work preferences, and how these can inform future choices.
•    Be inspired by career opportunities they may not previously have considered.
•    Be able to explain what they have learned throughout their careers journey.

Career knowledge and decision-making

•    Build broad knowledge of career opportunities and make informed decisions.
•    Develop deeper understanding of roles, responsibilities and pathways in areas of interest.
•    Understand how local and national labour markets are changing and what this could mean for future choices.
•    Evaluate the opportunities, risks and rewards of the full range of pathways at key transition points.
•    Make connections between curriculum learning, skills, pathways and the world of work.
•    Know how to access effective support, challenge career stereotypes and understand the qualifications needed to pursue career goals.

Workplace and recruitment readiness

•    Develop essential skills that support successful transition to the workplace.
•    Understand recruitment and selection processes, including interviews and assessment centres.
•    Understand expectations, behaviours and cultures across different workplaces.
•    Be able to evidence and communicate knowledge and skills to potential employers.
•    Use experiences of the workplace to make informed career decisions.

Key Stage Outcomes

By the end of Key Stage 3

•    Develop awareness of their skills, strengths and preferred learning styles in relation to Key Stage 4 options.
•    Research careers, including the skills and educational requirements associated with them.
•    Receive careers information and ongoing support from staff, including tutors.
•    Take part in an enterprise activity involving an external business.
•    Meet a range of employers and have opportunities to ask questions about careers and workplaces.

By the end of Key Stages 4 and 5

•    Be offered at least one individual appointment with a careers adviser at both KS4 and KS5, with guidance on education, employment, training and apprenticeship options.
•    Develop an action plan towards career goals.
•    Hear from people working across a range of careers and sectors.
•    Develop financial capability and workplace-readiness skills.
•    Produce and review a CV and practise formal applications, including covering letters.
•    Experience a formal interview with an external employer.
•    Take part in a formal work experience programme.
•    Develop presentation and interview skills.
•    Be offered opportunities to attend taster sessions for post-16 destinations, including Sixth Form and college experiences.

Programme by year group

Year 7 - A Wide World of Choices

Aim: Pupils will have awareness that there are a wide range of careers which may be suitable for them and to know how to research an area of particular interest.

During tutor group students will investigate and research careers that are new to them. They will develop presentation and research skills by presenting their findings to their tutor group. In each career, they will research potential skills, education, conditions, and what a typical day is like.

Tutor programme

•    Unifrog Introduction
•    Who am I
•    Exploring Possibilities
•    Year 7 Career of the month
•    Year 7 Careers in the curriculum (Monthly)
•    Green Careers Week
•    What is a career?
•    What is an Entrepreneur
•    Year 7 Employer Day
•    National Apprenticeship Week
•    National Careers Week
•    What is work life balance?
•    Step into the NHS
•    Future Skills Questionnaire
•    Careers and the Future
•    My Path (Careers)

Careers Event Day - Term 3:

Employer engagement day where students hear from different employers and able to ask questions and explore a variety of different careers.

Year 8 - How The Working World Works

Aim: Pupils will gain an understanding of the skills required to develop careers successfully and develop and the link between career and personal wellbeing.

All students will analyse their leadership and teamwork skills during Tutoring and discuss what these bring to the workplace.

Tutor programme

•    Your Personal Journey
•    What are my Interests
•    Green Careers Week
•    Year 8 Career of the month
•    Year 8 Careers in the curriculum (Monthly)
•    Superhero CVs
•    Challenges and Rewards of Work
•    Creating the life and vision you want
•    National Apprenticeship Week
•    What does success mean to me?
•    National Careers Week
•    Careers & the Climate
•    Careers - Public Services
•    FE & HE - What comes after school
•    Future Skills Questionnaire
•    Personal Skills
•    My Path – (Career)

Careers Event Day - Term 4:

All students will participate in an employability enterprise day via a local external business where they will need to work in groups to design and build a new software app. This will test all areas of teamwork and leadership skills and learn about running a business for the consumer market.

Year 9 - Choosing Your Options

Aim: Pupils will have been given the knowledge and skills to make right decisions about their GCSE options. Pupils will have also develop their knowledge and understanding of different careers and the skills and qualifications needed to pursue these types of careers.

Year 9 is the moment when students really begin to craft their future by making decisions which will affect their potential career. In order to ensure all students have the skills and knowledge to do this successfully they will:

  • Have a dedicated 1:1 careers tracking interview with a tutor.
  • Have an opportunity to discuss potential subjects with teachers and Heads of Departments in parents evenings and options evening.
  • Students will be given an opportunity to attend the Swindon Careers Fayre held at STEAM museum
  • Selected students will be invited to attend university open days

Tutor programme

•    Your Personal Journey
•    What are my skills
•    Green Careers Week
•    Year 9 Career of the month
•    Year 9 Careers in the curriculum (Monthly)
•    What comes after school?
•    Choosing what to study at KS4
•    Taking control of your careers journey
•    Employer Engagement Day
•    National Apprenticeship Week
•    Working and earning your money
•    National Careers Week
•    What is LMI
•    FE and HE – Exploring local options
•    Future Skills Questionnaire
•    My Path (Careers)
•    Options Evening

Careers Event Day - Term 3:

All students will participate in an Employer Visitor day as part of their preparation for options where students will experience a range of presentations by different employers and businesses exploring the skills and qualifications needed to pursue a career in their particular field.

Year 10 - Exploring the World of Work

Aim: To be able to evaluate and have a good understanding of suitable jobs and to know what it takes to be successful in a job interview.

All students will take part in an employer mock interview day where more than 50 local employers visit the school for each student to have a mock interview to prepare them for the world of work.

Tutor programme

•    Your Personal Journey
•    Reflecting on my career journey
•    Green Careers Week
•    Year 10 Career of the month
•    Year 10 Careers in the curriculum (Monthly)
•    External Visitor – Why University?
•    Exploring Employer Profiles
•    Work Experience Launch
•    What type of career is best for me?
•    How to contact employers?
•    ApprenTFest event at STEAM in Februaryruary 2027
•    National Apprenticeship Week
•    Study Higher
•    National Careers Week
•    Wellbeing in the workplace
•    Work Experience preparation and plans
•    Work Experience part 2 Preparing for interviews
•    Presenting yourself and skills needed
•    Career Week – Employer interview prep and CV
•    post-16 Pathways
•    FE and HE- What comes next after school?
•    Interviews with Employers Day
•    What comes next after school
•    Visitor Assembly
•    WEX Final Prep
•    Work Experience Week July (all students)
•    Future Skills Questionnaire
•    Year 10 into R6 day (experience life as a 6th former)
•    College experience days/University visits (throughout year)
•    Individual Careers Guidance interviews (Term 6 start)
•    Personal Skills
•    Intended Destinations

Careers Event Day x2

Students will interact with employers from community with each student receiving a mock interview during Term 5

Students will also gain an insight into the world of work by preparing for and taking part in an external work experience for 3–5 days in Term 6.

Year 11 - The Next Steps

Aim: Students apply what they have learnt to make informed decisions on their future. Students will be supported to ensure they maximise their potential to reach their intended destination.

  • Receive a one-to-one careers guidance interview with an independent careers adviser
  • Receive information from local colleges for academic and vocational pathways available to them
  • Be invited to R6 and other Colleges open evenings.

Selected students will attend Swindon College to see the courses available to them.

Students who need support will be offered a follow-up interview that will support them through the application process through school an/or with specific help from College staff.

Any student undecided will receive bespoke 1:1 support in finding their perfect destination.

Tutor programme

•    Careers Journey
•    Exploring future ideas
•    Post-16 choices
•    Destination intentions
•    College experience days
•    External presentation – Why University?
•    ApprenTFest STEAM exhibition in Februaryruary 2027
•    National Apprenticeship Week
•    New College – Vocational course introduction
•    Setting Goals
•    Preparing for exams
•    post-16 applications
•    R6 Assembly and introduction
•    Green Careers Week
•    Study Higher
•    National Careers Week
•    What comes next after school
•    FE and HE
•    Employer visits into school
•    Specific Curriculum trips and visits to employers

Year 12 - Exploring possible opportunities and choice in local area and beyond

Aim: In Year 12, R6 students will have a variety of opportunities to explore the post-18 landscape and to make informed decisions about their future pathways. We book in regular talks with alumni, employers and universities throughout the year and the opportunity to meet with an independent Careers Adviser.

Some of these opportunities include:

  • Term 1- UCAS Discovery Day Bristol Universities and Apprenticeship providers – all Year 12
  • Term 2 – NSCL Festival Birmingham NEC. A range of external speakers during enrichment deliver sessions on workplaces, securing apprenticeships, starting Uni etc.
  • Term 3 – National Apprenticeship week in February activities and information. ApprenTFest STEAM visit in February
  • Term 4 – University visit – all Year 12 Reading University
  • Term 5 –May – External speakers in during Enrichment- Alumni and business leaders
  • Term 6 – Work Shadowing Week (WEX) June. Progression Day – external speakers – Study Higher, universities, UCAS sign up, Alumni Q&A fair

Year 13 - Refining and Pursuing chosen next steps and destinations

In Year 13 the focus is on securing the desired pathway for students. This includes lots of tailored and bespoke support including:

One-one support – R6 Student Advisor and R6 Team with applications to universities and conservatoires through UCAS.

Appointments with the Careers Advisor to explore a variety of options.

•    Interview preparations including a full mock interview – panel or MMI
•    Portfolio support
•    Alumni information sessions and direct individual support as requested (from Alumni students)

Our Year 13s can also take advantage of the some of the Year 12 experiences if needed – a visit to the NCSL Festival offered to those who are unsure of their plans post-18. Equally, Year 13 are encouraged to continue to take advantage of the range of external speakers who visit the school.

Employer and education encounters

Students engage with a broad range of employers, education providers and professionals through the careers programme. Examples referenced in the 2026–27 plan include:

•    UKRI Environmental science
•    Gallagher (AJG) Recruitment marketing
•    Learning & development Training manager
•    Just for Fun Holiday Club ltd Childcare & Welfare
•    Retrac Group Ltd HR
•    BMW Apprenticeships
•    NatWest Banking & Finance
•    Leathwaite HR and Talent Attraction/ Recruitment
•    UK Research and Innovation Communications/PR
•    Network Rail Technical / Engineering Management / Railway
•    RWE Project management/planning
•    DICE Telecoms Ltd Telecoms, Project Management and Battery Energy Storage Systems
•    Nationwide Business Analytics
•    Hampshire Council Social Worker/ Safeguarding
•    Motability Operations Ltd All HR (incl graduate recruitment)
•    AVEVA Project Management
•    UKSBS IT Service Desk Manager
•    Nationwide Building Society Risk Management but can also cover off customer service roles in banking
•    Capita Learning Sales, Customer Account Management, Leadership. Finance and Accountancy Recruitment.
•    thirst4 consulting Ltd HR Learning & Development
•    Rgf Staffing bv the Netherlands Human resources
•    Zurich Insurance Group Actuarial (Finance/Accounting)
•    NHS Nursing
•    The Croft Primary Teaching, Banking
•    Check Point Software Enterprise Security business in the UK for Check Point Software
•    OxSonics Therapeutics Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals QA/QC/RA
•    Gracey Grazing Admin/Business Development
•    Nationwide Building Society Finance, Accounting, Management
•    Electronic Engineering; Business operations; Marketing
•    Royal Air Force Rtd Military, RAF and MOD civilians.
•    Financial Services and Training
•    Lloyds Banking Group Finance
•    NG Bailey IT Services LTD IT Services
•    Retired Engineering Consultancy
•    Dyson Technology Ltd Finance and business performance
•    Syamic Ltd IT Service Management Consultancy
•    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire Service
•    Head of People, Culture & Talent
•    Global Employer Brand and Marketing Manager
•    Industry Sector Manager - Public Sector
•    Actuary - life insurance
•    Scrum Master, Software development in the insurance industry.
•    International Programme Director, Defense & Security
•    Senior Lecturer in Nursing (LD & MH) and Education ( Special Ed )
•    Chief People Officer (i.e Human resources)
•    Electronic Engineering, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Corporate Business Tools Development
•    Head of QA/RA Medical devices/Pharmaceuticals
•    Electronic Engineering, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Corporate Business Tools Development
•    Royal Holloway University Outreach Programmes
•    Reading University Outreach Programmes
•    The White Horse Federation Multi-Academy Trust - HR/IT/Finance/Teaching/Marketing
•    AtkinsRealis Social Value and Sustainability manager- Nuclear Projects.

Our commitment

Our careers programme is designed to help students build knowledge progressively, encounter employers and education providers, develop workplace readiness and receive guidance at the points where important decisions are made.