Careers Information
Careers Update – February 2026
At Kingstone High School, we are in the process of enhancing and refining our careers programme, with a new curriculum set to launch in September 2026. Our aim is to ensure that each year group, from Year 7 through to Year 11, has a distinct, tailored pathway toward understanding careers and post-16 options.
In Year 7, our goal is to focus on self-awareness by introducing students to key soft skills like teamwork, communication and goal-setting as they begin their secondary journey. While we have started laying the groundwork, this upcoming curriculum will formalise and strengthen this focus. Tools like the Future Skills questionnaire will help them reflect on potential opportunities.
In Year 8, we aim to develop these skills further: expanding problem-solving, fostering ambition and introducing networking. We want students to set clear goals as part of their career and personal development.
By Year 9, we plan for students to actively explore pathways, whether GCSEs or vocational qualifications, so they build a strong foundation for informed decision-making.
Year 10 will be about deepening understanding of careers and action planning. We will guide them in exploring post-16 destinations, including further education options, higher education options and the range of pathways available to them. We want them to start mapping the right path for themselves. They will also take part in a week’s Work Experience placement.
In Year 11, we will equip students to apply all they’ve learned: writing professional CVs, letters of application and participating in mock interviews. They will also engage with speakers from local colleges and training providers such a Hereford Sixth Form College; Hereford College of Arts; Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Group Training Association. They will also participate in local Taster Sessions to ensure they have a good understanding of all that is available to them for this next phase of their life.
Also, during their time with us, each student will have four out of their six meaningful encounters with employers or external organisations. Two of these encounters will take place in the First Phase (Years 8 and 9), and two will occur in the Second Phase (Years 10 and 11). These encounters may involve partnerships with companies like John Finch Computers, Halo Leisure, or the NHS, offering students specific engagement opportunities to broaden their understanding of real-world careers. These experiences will be key moments in their career development, connecting their learning to future possibilities.
Finally, we are reviewing and revising our Careers events such as our Careers Evening. We are looking at ways to improve what we offer to our students, and the wider community, and how best to ensure that students of all years have access to this/these important event(s).
It is an exciting time for Careers at Kingstone High School and we look forward to launching our new curriculum in September 2026. All information will be shared via our useful means of communication including our school website.
In the meantime, if you have any specific questions or queries about anything to do with Careers, then please do not hesitate to contact:
Mrs Rachel Finch – Careers Leader – rfinch@kingstonecademy.co.uk 01981 250224
Mrs Charlene Husband – Careers Adviser – chusband@kingtoneacademy.co.uk 01981 250224
Kingstone High School uses the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure that a comprehensive programme for careers provision is in place.
1 – A stable careers programme
Our school will have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.
2 – Learning from career and labour market information (LMI)
Every student, and their parents, will have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities, that is relevant to our local area, supported by an informed adviser to make best use of available information.
3 – Addressing the needs of each pupil
Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student. Our school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.
4 – Linking curriculum learning to careers
All teachers will link curriculum learning with careers where possible. STEM subject teachers will highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths where lesson opportunities present themselves.
5 – Encounters with employers and employees
Every student will have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace, in particular within curriculum lessons, at least one per year.
6 – Experiences of workplaces
Every student will have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.
7- Encounters with further and higher education
All students will understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.
8 – Personal guidance
Every student will have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career adviser, who is trained at Level 6 or higher, whenever significant study or career choices are being made. These interviews will be expected for all students but should be timed to meet their individual needs.