Careers

Careers review date: Every 3 years or as required by statutory guidance updates and/or Ofsted reports.
Last updated: Sept 2025

Your Future Starts Here

At Old Buckenham High School, we want you to leave us feeling confident, ambitious, and ready for whatever comes next – whether that’s sixth form, college, an apprenticeship, or the world of work.
That’s why we have a strong Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance programme (also known as CEIAG) running from Year 7 to Year 11. It’s here to help you understand your strengths, explore your options, and make decisions about your future.

 

What You Can Expect

As you move through school, you’ll take part in a wide range of activities to help you plan for life after OBHS, including:
  • Careers lessons and workshops as part of your Personal Development time
  • Guest speakers and employer talks to help you understand different jobs and industries
  • Work experience in Year 10 – a chance to try out a real job and learn new skills
  • Help with CV writing, application forms, and interview prep
  • Events like our Post-16 Information Evening, where colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeship providers share what they offer
  • Tutor time careers activities and subject lessons that show how your learning links to real-life jobs
We also run lunchtime and after-school events, and you’ll have chances to meet employers, colleges and universities along the way.

 

Why Careers Education Matters

We want you to:
  • Discover what you're good at and enjoy doing
  • Learn about the huge range of careers and training routes available to you
  • Make confident, informed decisions about your next steps
  • Understand how to plan for the future – and how your time at OBHS helps get you there
  • Know that success isn’t just about qualifications – it’s also about skills, attitude and ambition

 

 

Information for Employers and Employees
Information for Parents and Carers
Information for Students

Careers Programme

We have a careers programme in place that runs from Year 7 to Year 11. You’ll see careers links pop up across different subjects, as well as in form time and Personal Development.

 

 

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Summer Term

Year 7

·       Assembly slots for guest speakers from training providers.

 

·       Gender stereotypes drop down with external employers.

·       National Careers Week

·       Apprenticeships week

 

·       Workshops with x2 employers.

·       Personal Development – careers modules built into tutor time. (My future)

 

·       School based careers fair.

Year 8

·       Assembly slots for guest speakers from training providers.

 

·       Workshops with x2 employers 

·       Personal Development – careers modules built into tutor time.

 

·       School based careers fair

Year 9

·       Assembly slots for guest speakers from training providers

·       Workshops with employers x 9 offered across the year

·       Personal Development – careers modules built into tutor time – Options and careers, job adverts and person specifications, salaries.

·       National Careers Week

·       Apprenticeships week

·       Skills festival at the Norfolk showground.

·       Various workshops with employers x9 offered through out the year.

·       Various workshops x9 offered throughout the year.

·       School based careers fair

·       Personal guidance (one to one appointments with action plans given)

Year 10

·       Post 16 Information Evening with education providers.

·       Work Experience Launch

·       Careers activities in tutor time

·       Assembly slots for guest speakers with several education providers

·       Workshops with employers x 9 offered across the year

·       National Careers Week

·       Apprenticeships week

·       Apprenticeships workshop

·       Personal guidance (one to one appointments with action plans given)

·       WEX application support

·       Workshops with employers x 9 offered across the year

·       Personal Development lessons – Money management and My future

·       CV writing workshop with Midwich

·       Employer interviews

·       Work Experience placement

·       School based careers fair

·       Workshops with employers x 9 offered across the year.

·       Personal guidance (one to one appointments with action plans given)

Year 11

·       Post 16 Information Evening with education providers.

·       Careers activities in tutor time - Aspirations

·       Assembly slots for guest speakers with several education providers

·       Workshops with employers x 9 offered across the year

·       Personal guidance (one to one appointments with action plans given)

·       Post 16 application support

·       National Careers Week

·       Apprenticeships week

·       Apprenticeships workshop

·       Personal guidance (one to one appointments with action plans given)

·       Workshops with employers x 9 offered across the year

·       Year 11 GCSE Results Day

 

Work Experience

Old Buckenham High school is embracing the government’s new guidelines regarding modern work experience and developing a flexible, progressive programme that will provide 50 hours (two weeks) of meaningful workplace encounters for students across Years 7 – 11.  

These experiences, delivered in short sessions or longer blocks, will include, but are not limited to,  small group visits or virtual workplace tours, employer lead projects as part of the curriculum, employer led competitions, after-school enrichment programmes run jointly with businesses, traditional placements in Yr10 or 11 where possible and hybrid or virtual placements where face to face placements are restricted. 

Clear learning outcomes will be identified for each activity with opportunities for student evaluation and reflection to help them make informed choices as they progress along their career journeys.  


In Year 10, you’ll go on a one-week work experience placement. This is your chance to:
  • See what a real working day is like
  • Try out a job you're interested in
  • Build independence and confidence
  • Learn what employers are looking for
We’ll help you find a placement and support you in getting the most from it.

Explore Your Options

You might be wondering:
“What are my choices after Year 11?”
Here are some of the main routes you can explore:
  • Sixth Form or College – to study A-levels or vocational courses and T-levels
  • Apprenticeships – where you learn and earn at the same time
  • Traineeships or work-based training
  • Jobs with training – if you’re ready to enter the world of work
You’ll find out about all these and more in lessons, assemblies, and careers events.

Helpful Online Tools

These websites are full of ideas and advice to help you explore your future:

Need Help or Have Questions?

Your tutor, teachers, Miss Bentley and Mr Peat are all here to help you with careers advice.
If you’re stuck, unsure about your future, or just want to chat through your options, get in touch:
Miss Bentley – Careers Leader - l.bentley@obhs.org.uk
Mr Peat – Careers Advisor - r.peat@obhs.org.uk

 

The information and links on this page are useful not only for students, but for staff, parents and carers too. Careers education is embedded  into our school culture and we welcome input and involvement in our careers programme and events from all stakeholders.
Employers, partners, providers, parents, staff should contact Miss Bentley for more information, support with careers in the curriculum or guidance on how you could become involved.

 

Our CEIAG policy and PALS Statement