Careers & Futures Talks, Information, Advice & Guidance Confidence for Life. Respect for All.
Introduction
Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation recognises that high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance play a vital role in helping pupils make informed decisions about their future, identifying pathways that reflect their interests, abilities, aspirations and individual needs. A comprehensive careers programme places learning in a wider, real-world context, helps to sustain engagement, broadens horizons and raises aspirations. The Foundation’s careers programme supports pupils in developing the knowledge, skills and confidence to plan and manage their future pathways effectively, encouraging ambitious and aspirational progression in education, training and employment. It promotes equality of opportunity, celebrates diversity and challenges stereotypes, ensuring that all pupils are encouraged to explore a broad range of possibilities. Through impartial guidance and access to relevant, reliable information, pupils are equipped to make informed decisions about the many opportunities available to them and are supported in recognising and fulfilling their individual potential, and going on to make their MARK.
Our Careers Programme We are committed to providing all pupils, in all key stages, with a programme of careers and enterprise-related activities. Careers education is embedded across the curriculum and linked to clear career development learning outcomes. The School provides pupils with access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that is presented in an impartial manner, enables pupils to make informed choices about a broad range of career options, and helps to encourage pupils to fulfil their potential. This programme is overseen by the Head of Careers, Mr Stuart Macnair.
Careers Phases: Years 7–13 Our Careers and Futures programme develops progressively from Year 7 to Year 13. As part of our Life and Wellbeing Education Course, each stage builds pupils’ self-awareness, understanding of the world of work, and ability to make informed choices, with increasingly personalised support as they approach GCSE, Sixth Form and post-18 decisions.
What this means in practice YEAR 7 FOUNDATION Who am I?
YEAR 8 DISCOVERY What’s out there?
YEAR 9 DIRECTION
Explore interests, strengths, skills and aspirations through early careers learning and reflection.
Discover career sectors, workplace skills and how School subjects connect to future opportunities.
What might suit me?
Begin linking interests and strengths to GCSE choices, future pathways and possible careers.
YEAR 10 ENGAGEMENT
Gain greater insight into employers, apprenticeships, post-16 routes and the realities of working life.
What does work feel like?
YEAR 11 TRANSITION What’s my next step?
Explore Sixth Form and other post-16 choices, with guidance to support informed decisions.
YEAR 12 PREPARATION
Explore university, degree apprenticeships and other post-18 routes while building experience and preparing applications.
Where am I heading?
YEAR 13 DESTINATION How do I getthere?
Refine applications, prepare for interviews and assessments, and make the transition confidently to university, apprenticeships or employment.
Ongoing Careers Support & Opportunities Alongside the LWE programme, we begin to introduce a range of individual bespoke advice and guidance as the pupils enter Year 7 and above. Each of these opportunities allows pupils to reflect on their interests and strengths whilst gathering more information.
ONGOING CAREERS SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE CONVERSATIONS
EVENTS & VISITS UNIVERSITY VISITS
Individual conversations help pupils consider aspirations, options and next steps.
Pupils can take part in university visits, including campus tours and subject sessions.
UCAS & Post-18 Application Preparation Support is provided as pupils prepare university and other post-18 qualifications and consider the route that best suits them.
Career Fairs, Employer & Provider Events Pupils can meet employers, universities and apprenticeship providers and hear about a broad range of future pathways.
Apprenticeship & Technical Route Information Pupils can explore apprenticeship routes, providers and recruitment processes alongside academic and employment pathways.
OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES Work Experience Pupils can undertake voluntary work experience to explore careers and understand workplace culture. Assistance is provided in securing placements. Virtual Work Experience Pupils can access virtual work experience through the School careers channel. Employer Engagement Pupils can access additional employer engagement opportunities through the School careers channel.
Old Dunelmian & Parent Events Opportunities take place through the Old Dunelmian network and the Friends of DCSF Business Club Curriculum & Academic Enrichment Subject learning, lectures, seminars vists and Sixth Form academic societies help pupils connect their studies with future possibilities.
THRIVE & BALANCE Your Wellbeing Matters Explore employment rights and discuss the importance of work-life balance.
In-person Careers Talks & Events Years 10 -13, Autumn Term Talks at a Glance
Entrepreneurship
Law
Civil Engineering
PR & Communications
Skills
Pupils hear directly from Parents, Old Dunelmians, and other visiting speakers.
With our rich network of alumni we work with the Old Dunelmian Society to provide. A curated series of careers talks introduces pupils to a range of professions through the lived experience of ODs, parents and visiting professionals. Speakers share how they entered their professions, what their work involves and what they have learnt along the way, giving pupils practical insight and the opportunity to ask questions about their own next steps.
Can you help by sharing your experience, either through a talk or at our Careers Breakfast on Tuesday 19 January? Email od@dcsf.org.uk for more details.