Careers Information
CAREERS AT HEYFORD PARK SCHOOL
Helping every student discover their strengths, explore their options and feel confident about their future.
At Heyford Park School, our careers programme supports students from Year 7 onwards to understand themselves, explore different careers and pathways, gain real-world experience and make informed decisions about their future.
Our programme develops year-on-year, with opportunities to explore, experience, develop and prepare for life beyond school.
Upcoming Careers Events
We regularly share opportunities for students to explore careers, meet employers and training providers, and find out more about their future options. Many events are free to attend and are particularly useful for students in Years 10 and 11 who are beginning to think about their next steps. Please be sure to check back regularly for additional information and updates.
John Radcliffe Hospital – NHS Careers Event (Year 10 and up)
Thursday 1 October 2026 | 4:30 – 7:00pm
An opportunity to meet medical professionals, explore routes into medicine, gain application advice, experience a simulated medical scenario, discover work experience and alternative pathways, and ask questions to an expert panel.. Find out more →
Banbury & Bicester College – October Open Event
Wednesday 7 October 2026 | 4:30 – 7:00pm
An opportunity to explore post-16 courses, vocational pathways and apprenticeships at a local college.
The Bicester School – Sixth Form Open Evening
Thursday 12 November 2026
An opportunity for students and parents/carers to explore The Bicester School Sixth Form, find out more about available subjects and courses, meet staff and learn about the next steps after Year 11.
Banbury & Bicester College – November Open Event
Saturday 21 November 2026 | 9:30am – 12:00pm
Explore courses, meet staff and find out more about your options after Year 11.
Looking for more opportunities?
New careers events, college open days, apprenticeship opportunities and employer activities are added throughout the year, so please check back regularly.
If you are looking for a particular type of opportunity, please speak to Miss O'Sullivan, Careers Leader – lyosullivan@heyford.epatrust.org
Our Careers Programme
At Heyford Park School, our careers programme helps students develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to make informed choices about their future. Our careers programme:
- Starts in Year 7 and continues through Year 11
- Follows the Gatsby Benchmarks
- Includes careers education, guidance and experiences
- Supports academic, vocational and technical pathways
- Provides opportunities to meet employers and education providers
- Promotes equality of opportunity for all students
Student Hub
Not sure what your next step is? Start here.
Use the Student Hub to explore careers, find opportunities and get support with your future.
Explore Careers|Find Opportunities|Work Experience|Apprenticeships|Post-16 Options|Get Careers Advice
Please make the six options above clickable buttons linking to the relevant existing sections/resources on the careers website.
Need help?
Speak to Miss O'Sullivan, Careers Leader, if you would like help exploring careers or planning your next steps.
Parents & Carers Hub
Not sure how to support your child with their future? Start here.
Understanding Pathways | GCSE Options and Work Experience | Post-16 | Labour Market Information | SEND | Get Support
Choosing subjects, exploring careers and deciding what to do after school can feel overwhelming. You do not need to have all the answers. The best thing to do is talk, listen and explore options together.
Our Careers Lead is here to support students and families throughout their time at Heyford Park School. Parents and carers are encouraged to use the information and resources below to help their child understand their options and make informed decisions about their future.
Understanding Career PathwayS
There is no single route to a successful career. Students can take a variety of pathways depending on their interests, strengths and goals.
These might include:
- GCSEs and A Levels
- Sixth form
- Further education and college
- T Levels
- Apprenticeships
- UniversityTechnical and vocational qualifications
- Employment with training
Help a young person make career choices | National Careers Service
GCSE Options
Choosing GCSE subjects is an important decision, but students do not need to have their whole future planned before making their choices.
When supporting your child, encourage them to think about:
| What options might this give me? Could certain subjects support my future plans? |
| What do I enjoy? Which subjects do I look forward to on my timetable?
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| What interests me? Are there any particular careers or areas I would like to explore?
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| What am I good at? Which subjects play to my strengths? |
The best choices are usually those that reflect a student's interests, strengths and future possibilities, rather than simply choosing a subject because they think it leads to one particular job.
Work Experience
Work experience gives students the opportunity to experience the world of work first-hand, develop employability skills and learn more about the types of careers that interest them.
At Heyford Park School, Year 10 students complete a one-week work experience placement as part of our careers programme.
Parents and carers can support their child by:
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Work experience does not have to confirm what a student wants to do. Sometimes discovering what they don’t enjoy can be just as useful as discovering what they do.
Take a look at our work experience page for more information.
Post-16 Options
There is no single "best" route — the right option depends on the individual student.
Choosing what to do after Year 11 can feel like a big decision, but there is no single pathway that is right for everyone. Talk to your child about what they enjoy, what they are good at and how they prefer to learn, then explore the different options together. Encourage them to research courses, attend open days, speak to teachers and careers advisers, and consider where each pathway could lead in the future. Most importantly, focus on finding the option that suits your child, rather than choosing what their friends are doing.
More Information - Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can be an excellent option for students who want to combine work, training and study.
An apprentice is employed by an organisation and receives a salary while working towards a qualification. Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of sectors and at different levels, including higher and degree apprenticeships.
Parents and carers can support their child by:
- Exploring different apprenticeship roles together
- Looking at entry requirements
- Attending employer and college open events
- Helping them prepare a CV
- Supporting them with applications
- Practising interview questions
- Encouraging them to apply for a range of opportunities
Apprenticeships can become available throughout the year, so it is worth checking regularly rather than waiting for one particular deadline.
Useful link:
Apprenticeships, 14 to 19 education and training for work - GOV.UK
More Information - Colleges & Sixth Forms
Visiting colleges and sixth forms can help students understand what different pathways are really like.
We encourage students and families to:
- Attend open events
- Explore different courses
- Check entry requirements
- Ask about enrichment and support
- Find out about progression after the course
- Consider travel and transport
- Compare different options before making a decision
Local Options to Explore
Banbury & Bicester College
A local further education provider offering a wide range of vocational, technical, T Level, apprenticeship and foundation/SEND pathways.
Explore Banbury & Bicester College courses and events
Abingdon & Witney College
Offers a range of vocational and technical pathways across its campuses, including the Bicester Construction Skills Centre.
Explore Abingdon & Witney College
The Bicester School Sixth Form
A local sixth-form option for students considering continuing their academic studies after Year 11.
Explore The Bicester School Sixth Form
Labour Market Information
Labour Market Information (LMI) helps students understand what is happening in the world of work.
It can provide information about:
- Which industries are growing
- What skills employers are looking for
- Typical qualifications for different careers
- Where different jobs are available
- Future career opportunities
- Local and national employment trends
Encourage your child to look beyond the job title and think about what skills, qualifications and experiences are needed to get there.
The National Careers Service provides career profiles and information about different jobs, including the skills and qualifications that may be required.
Explore careers – National Careers Service
Supporting Students with SEND
We recognise that students with SEND may require additional support when planning for their future.
Careers planning should take account of each students:
- Strengths and interests
- Individual needs
- Aspirations
- Support requirements
- Education and training options
- Preparation for adulthood
Parents and carers are an important part of these conversations. If your child has additional needs and you would like to discuss their future options, please speak to the school so that appropriate support can be considered.
The Oxfordshire SEND Local Offer also provides information for young people and families about education, employment and preparing for adulthood.
Oxfordshire SEND Local Offer – Preparing for Adulthood
Careers Guidance
Students have access to careers guidance to help them understand their options and make informed decisions about their future.
Careers guidance can help students:
- Understand their strengths and interests
- Explore possible careers
- Research different pathways
- Understand entry requirements
- Compare post-16 options
- Make decisions about their next steps
- Prepare for applications and interviews
If your child is unsure about their future, that's okay! Being undecided or unsure is a normal part of the careers journey.
You can also use the National Careers Service, which provides free careers information, advice and guidance and includes resources specifically designed to help parents and carers support young people.
National Careers Service – Advice for Parents & Carers
Employers
Help us prepare our students for the world of work.
Employers play an important part in helping students understand the world of work, discover different career pathways and develop the skills they will need for their future. We welcome support from local employers, organisations and professionals who would like to work with our students.
Ways to Get Involved
| CAREERS FAIRS Meet students and introduce your organisation, industry and opportunities. | TALKS & WORKSHOPS Share your career journey, skills and experience with students. | WORK EXPERIENCE Offer a Year 10 student the opportunity to experience a real workplace. |
| WORKPLACE VISITS Help students see different roles and working environments first-hand. | MOCK INTERVIEWS Support students to develop confidence, communication and interview skills. | SHARE YOUR INDUSTRY Help students understand routes, qualifications and opportunities in your sector. |
Why Get Involved?
Working with our students can help raise aspirations, improve understanding of local careers and give young people a clearer picture of the skills and qualities employers value.
| INSPIRE Show students the range of careers and possibilities available to them. | INFORM Help students understand routes into your industry and the skills employers need. | PREPARE Give students opportunities to build confidence and workplace-ready skills. |
Work Experience
Our Year 10 students complete a one-week work experience placement as part of the careers programme. We are always keen to hear from employers who may be able to offer a placement or provide an insight into their workplace.
The school supports students and employers before and during the placement, and staff complete monitoring visits or checks during the week.
Interested in Working With Us?
Whether you can offer a work experience placement, attend a careers event, deliver a short talk or support an employability activity, we would be very pleased to hear from you.
Miss L. O'Sullivan
Careers Leader
lyosullivan@heyford.epatrust.org
Useful Resources
These websites provide useful careers, education and training information for students and families.
Find an Apprenticeship - GOV.UK →
Oxfordshire - Opportunities for Young People →
