Your future starts with curiosity.
You don't need to know exactly what you want to do yet. Our careers programme helps you discover possibilities, build confidence, meet employers and make informed choices at every stage of school.
Explore. Experience. Decide. Progress.
What would you like to do today?
Start with what matters to you. You can explore the whole page or jump straight to the help you need.
Helping your child find their way
Career decisions develop over time. You can help by exploring different routes together, discussing strengths and interests, attending events and encouraging questions. Our careers team can support your family with impartial guidance.
You don't have to work it all out alone
Our careers team can help you explore your interests, understand progression routes and decide on your next steps.
Sarah Procter
For questions about the careers programme, activities, events or arranging careers support.
s.procter@garstang.fcat.org.uk01995 603226Paula Askew
For individual careers guidance, progression choices, applications, apprenticeships and action planning.
p.askew@garstang.fcat.org.uk01995 603226Students in Years 10 and 11 are automatically booked for one-to-one careers appointments. Students in other year groups can also request an interview by speaking to Miss Procter or their form teacher. Following guidance meetings, students receive an action plan outlining the points discussed and agreed next steps.
What can Paula help me with?
- Personalised careers advice and guidance
- Courses, colleges, sixth forms and training routes after Year 11
- Applications and personal action plans
- Apprenticeship opportunities and vacancy searches
- University pathways
- Labour market information and employment opportunities
A journey that grows with you
Careers education is part of school life, not just a conversation in Year 11. Our programme draws on the Career Development Institute framework and the Gatsby Benchmarks, with support tailored to each stage.
Learning for working life
Careers education across PSHE, lessons and wider activities helps students develop economic understanding, enterprise and employability skills.
Personal guidance
Independent careers advice helps students explore aspirations, understand their choices and plan achievable next steps.
Meeting the world of work
Employers, colleges, training providers and community partners bring careers to life through encounters, visits and practical experiences.
What happens in each year group?
Years 7 & 8Discover interests and broaden horizons
- Enterprise and economic understanding through PSHE
- Business enterprise project with the NHS
- Learn to Earn event
- Annual Careers Convention
- Introduction to KUDOS online careers tools
- Access to the careers library
Year 9Connect interests with subject choices
- Careers Convention and careers library
- Pathways assembly with local colleges
- Year 9 options and transition support
- Lunchtime CV and application sessions
- Careers lessons covering personal statements, apprenticeships and challenging stereotypes
Year 10Experience workplaces and practise skills
- Careers Convention
- College taster days during the summer term
- One-to-one careers interviews
- Mock interviews with local employers
- Careers lessons on employability, apprenticeships and CV writing
Year 11Make confident next-step decisions
- Careers Convention
- Subject-specific masterclasses with local colleges
- Apprenticeship workshops
- College and sixth-form group sessions and lunchtime drop-ins
- Employer information sessions
- Careers lessons on interview techniques and action planning
Experiences beyond the classroom
Year 10 mock interviews
All Year 10 students take part in a mock interview with a local employer.
College taster days
Opportunities have included Preston College, Cardinal Newman, Blackpool Sixth and visits from Lancaster & Morecambe College.
Careers Convention
All year groups attend the annual Careers Convention, traditionally held in November.
Future Friday
A different career is introduced during Friday form time. Students can suggest careers they would like featured.
Provider drop-ins
Lunchtime opportunities to speak with colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeship providers.
Industry days
Activities based on demand and availability, including sustainability, green careers and the Faraday STEM Challenge.
See the bigger picture
Explore our student and parent journeys and the national benchmarks used to inform careers provision.
There are more possibilities than you think
Start with something you enjoy, a subject you like or a problem you would love to solve. Career research can help you discover jobs you may never have heard of.
Try the Careerometer
Compare different occupations and explore what jobs involve, typical earnings and future prospects.
If the tool does not display on your device, open Careerometer in a new tab ↗.
What's happening in Lancashire?
Labour market information helps you understand local jobs, industries, skills employers need and the education or training routes that can lead to them.
Explore our careers resources and useful websites
Our existing careers resource collection includes links and information to help you investigate different occupations and pathways.
What if I have no idea what career I want?
That's normal. Begin by listing subjects, activities and problems that interest you. Use the Careerometer to compare possibilities, ask people about their jobs and talk to the careers team. Your ideas can change as you gain experience.
Where can I find careers events?
Look out for school announcements, our Careers Convention, Future Friday and opportunities to meet employers and providers. You can also explore National Careers Week ↗.
What you're learning now can open doors later
Careers learning is not confined to a single lesson. Subjects help students develop knowledge, practical skills, creativity, communication and problem-solving abilities that can be used in further study and working life.
Our approach
We aim to help students recognise how classroom learning connects with real occupations and future opportunities. Teachers can highlight where subject knowledge is used, introduce relevant careers, challenge stereotypes and create opportunities to learn from employers and further education providers. This complements the wider careers programme and independent guidance available in school.
Through lessons, PSHE, employer encounters and enrichment activities, students are encouraged to see the relevance of what they learn and understand that there is more than one route towards a fulfilling future.
Careers across subjects
Different subjects build transferable skills. For example, mathematics supports analytical thinking; English develops communication; science develops investigation; and creative and practical subjects can build design, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Additional mathematics opportunities
Students interested in developing their mathematical knowledge can explore these external opportunities from LUSoM and Cardinal Newman.
These links may be better placed on the Mathematics curriculum page as planned. Check current availability before promoting sessions.
Choose subjects with confidence
Year 9 options are an important step, but they do not require you to decide your whole future. Think about your strengths, interests, the qualifications you may need later and the advice available from teachers and the careers team.
Think about what you enjoy
Which subjects interest you? Where do you feel motivated and confident?
Look ahead
Explore possible careers and check whether any future courses have specific subject requirements.
Ask questions
Talk to subject teachers, family members and the careers team before making decisions.
Make an informed choice
Use the school's current options guidance and deadlines when completing your choices.
For further guidance, see the parent information and useful websites document ↗. The school's current Year 9 options booklet and deadlines should be added here when confirmed.
Show people what you can do
Whether you're applying for a part-time job, apprenticeship, college course or work experience, a little preparation can make a big difference.
Write your CV
Introduce yourself, your qualifications, experiences and strengths. Volunteering, clubs, responsibilities and projects can all provide evidence.
Read the CV writing guide ↗Prepare for interviews
Research the organisation, practise common questions and prepare real examples of your skills and achievements.
Explore the Barclays CV builder ↗Understand assessment centres
Some employers use group activities, presentations and exercises to see how applicants communicate, collaborate and solve problems.
Watch assessment centre guidance →CV and application guidance
Interview preparation
What happens at an assessment centre?
An assessment centre is a selection process used by some employers. You may complete a group exercise, discuss a scenario, present an idea or take part in an interview. Assessors may be looking for how you listen, contribute, respond to feedback and work with others, not simply who speaks the most.
Tips for group exercises
- Read the instructions carefully and keep an eye on the time.
- Listen to others and build on their suggestions.
- Contribute ideas clearly without dominating the group.
- Help the group reach a practical decision.
- Stay respectful when people disagree.
Coca-Cola Skills for Impact
Develop skills that can help you in education, work and everyday life. The free Skills for Impact resource offers another opportunity to explore employability and build confidence as you prepare for future choices.
Explore the free Skills for Impact programme ↗There is more than one way forward
After Year 11, young people must continue in education or training until 18 in England. That does not mean everyone follows the same route. Compare your options and choose the environment and qualifications that fit your ambitions.
Sixth form
Often suited to students interested in A levels or other academic and applied qualifications, with a pathway towards university, training or employment.
Further education college
Explore vocational, technical and academic courses in a wide range of subjects and levels.
Apprenticeships and training
Combine practical experience with structured learning. Entry requirements, availability and progression vary by programme.
How should I compare post-16 providers?
Look beyond the course title. Consider entry requirements, course content, assessment methods, travel, support, progression opportunities and what the setting feels like when you visit.
Where can I find open days?
Open days are an excellent way to compare courses and facilities. Dates change every year, so check providers' official websites for their current events. The school's previous 2024–25 open-days document ↗ is retained for reference only and should not be treated as a current events calendar.
What if I am unsure which route is right?
Arrange careers guidance, attend taster days and talk to providers. You can apply to explore suitable options before deciding which offer to accept, subject to each provider's process and deadlines.
Different routes. Different opportunities.
There is no single best pathway for everyone. What matters is understanding where a route can lead, what it requires and whether it suits you.
Thinking about university?
Explore degree subjects, entry requirements, course structures and the different qualifications that may help you progress. Choices made at 16 can influence later options, so it is worth researching early.
Explore university courses through UCAS ↗Interested in apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships combine paid work with training and can be available at different levels, including higher and degree levels. Research the role, employer, training provider and entry requirements.
Search for apprenticeships on GOV.UK ↗Useful information for families
Our parent guidance brings together information about different progression routes and external websites.
Careers documents and resources
Find the school's published careers documents and further resources, including information about careers in the NHS.
Careers policies and published documents
Read the school's published careers information. The linked November 2024 policy is retained as a reference; the document group below should contain the school's currently published versions.
Careers in the NHS
Explore additional resources about the variety of careers available in health and care.
Gatsby Benchmarks and programme documents
Not sure where to start? Start with a conversation.
You don't need to have all the answers. Speak to your form teacher, Miss Procter or Paula Askew and we'll help you explore the possibilities.