Careers

The Willink School has a critical role to play in preparing our students for transitions into the next stage of their careers; whether it be into education, training or employment. Combining high quality, independent and impartial careers guidance with a comprehensive careers education program and up to date labour market information, we aim to support every student in developing an understanding of themselves, their skills, strengths and interests.

Key Staff

Dr T Tam – SLT Lead for Careers
Mrs R Connor - Careers Lead
TBC - Independent Careers Advisor
Miss E Smith – Head of PSHE

For information and guidance on careers related matters, please email: careers@willink.w-berks.sch.uk.

Careers Education

Preparation for employment is an integral part of everything we do at The Willink School. Whether students eventually go on to further or higher education, employment or self-employment once they leave us, we want their time at The Willink School to have provided them with the skills and knowledge to make the choices that are best for them.

Careers Programme

Through our Careers Programme we provide the best possible careers education, information, advice and guidance to all our students in line including:

up-to-date information about the local employment market
independent and impartial careers guidance
opportunities to meet employers
opportunity for work experience
curriculum links to real-world careers
information on all post-16 options (apprenticeships as well as further education)
CV and application advice

Careers Programme

We offer a diverse and substantial careers programme to all students. The programme is continually monitored and updated using feedback from staff, students and parents/carers.

Below you will find information detailing our careers offering to each specific year group. In addition to this, every student has access to:

CEIAG Websites
The Willink School careers website page
Up to date Labour Market Information via the school website
Employers, Training Providers, Further Education and Higher Education Providers
Educational visits to work places and inspirational destinations
Curriculum based subject specific competitions and subject specific career focused homework
The latest apprenticeship, work experience and further education opportunities via Parents Digest

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
PSHE lessons – Business & Interpersonal Skills Unifrog tasks and exploration Careers Fair	PSHE lessons – The World of Work External speaker led lessons Unifrog tasks and exploration Careers Fair	Options Evening Unifrog tasks and exploration PSHE lessons – The World of Work Careers Fair Careers Guidance Appointments
Year 10	Year 11	Sixth Form
Work Experience Prep – Log Book Work Experience Placement Careers Guidance Appointments External Speakers Careers Fair Unifrog tasks and exploration	Mock Interviews Mock interview prep – PSHE lessons and external speaker Moving Forward Day College Assemblies Careers Guidance Appointments External speakers Careers Fair Unifrog Talent Pool	Careers Guidance Appointments UCAS days Support with uni interviews, apprenticeship applications etc Careers based assemblies Work Experience Placement Careers Fair CV Writing Workshops

Gatsby Benchmarks

The Gatsby Benchmarks are a framework of eight standards designed to improve career guidance in schools and colleges across England, ensuring that students receive high-quality career education and support.

Gatsby Benchmarks

Labour Market Information

Labour Market Information (LMI) provides students with insights into the world of work, helping them make informed career choices. LMI includes data on different careers, entry routes, promotional prospects, salaries, skills, qualifications needed, and future demand.

Explore up-to-date local labour market information by clicking on the following link:

Careerometer

Careerometer is an online data portal which connects and standardises existing sources of high quality, reliable LMI to support the process of identifying potential careers. It allows students to compare national average wages, working hours and future employment prospects.

It is very easy to use and is a very useful tool for starting a student’s journey into the world of work.

Click here to access the tool.

For current vacancies, apprenticeships and work experience opportunities, please check the weekly Parent Digest communication, under the section Careers Opportunities.

Last Updated November 2025