Careers
at John Taylor Free School
Careers Education and Guidance
Careers education at John Taylor Free School helps students explore their interests, understand the opportunities available to them and make informed decisions about their future. Through a structured programme of experiences, guidance and employer engagement, we support students in planning their next steps with confidence.
This page outlines the careers education, information and guidance available from Year 7 through to Post 16.
Careers by Stage
Careers in Years 7-11
Careers education in Key Stages 3 and 4 helps students develop an understanding of the world of work, explore future possibilities and begin to make informed decisions about their next steps.
Careers at post 16
Careers education at Post 16 supports students as they plan and prepare for their next steps beyond school. Alongside their academic studies, students receive personalised advice and guidance to help them make informed decisions about higher education, apprenticeships and employment.
Support includes access to one‑to‑one careers guidance, work experience opportunities, visits to education and training providers, and structured preparation for applications and progression beyond Post 16.
Work Experience
Work experience plays an important role in helping students develop an understanding of the world of work and build confidence, skills and aspirations for the future.
Year 10
During Year 10, students gain valuable insight into the workplace through planned work experience opportunities. These experiences help students develop confidence, employability skills and an understanding of different career pathways.
Year 12
Personal Careers Guidance
Request Careers Guidance
Students and families can request careers guidance or ask questions about future pathways by contacting the Careers team.
Employer Engagement
We work with a range of employers and organisations to provide students with meaningful encounters that help them understand different career pathways and the skills required for the workplace. These experiences support students in developing confidence, ambition and realistic aspirations for the future.
Employer encounters
Students regularly meet employers from a range of industries, helping them gain first-hand insight into career pathways and the skills valued in the workplace. Hearing directly from professionals allows students to explore possibilities, challenge perceptions and see how classroom learning connects to future aspirations.
Careers fairs and talks
From large-scale careers fairs to specialist guest speakers, these events expose students to a broad range of opportunities beyond school. They provide valuable opportunities to ask questions, compare pathways and learn more about higher education, apprenticeships and employment.
Workplace experiences
Experiencing a real working environment helps students develop confidence, professionalism and a greater understanding of employer expectations. Whether through workplace visits or practical experiences, students gain valuable insight that supports future decision-making and preparation for adult life.
Careers Resources and Platforms
We use online careers platforms to support students in exploring options, researching pathways and planning their next steps. These tools are used across the school to support informed decision‑making and progression.
Unifrog
Unifrog supports students with researching future pathways, exploring career options and preparing applications for opportunities beyond school. Students can access Unifrog using their school email address.
Policies and Key Documents
Our careers provision is supported by a range of policies and documents that outline how careers education, information, advice and guidance is delivered across the school.