Careers
As part of our mission to prepare students for life beyond school, we have a very proactive approach to exposing our students to the world of work.
Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is an essential aspect of the school curriculum at St. Joseph’s with our careers programme focussed on raising the aspirations of all students, lifting their self-belief and confidence. At the very core of the programme is a commitment to ensure that students are not limited by their knowledge of options – that they are empowered to make considered choices at key stages of transition through ensuring that they:
- are well informed on the array of pathways available to them
- have access to impartial career guidance
- have the opportunity to develop an appreciation of key employability and workplace skills
- understand the careers relevant to the subjects they study and the link to the local and national labour market
As part of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Careers Hub, we work closely with the Careers and Enterprise Company to further expand and improve our careers provision within St. Josephs.
We are extremely proud of record that no students leave St Joseph’s at the end of their compulsory education without securing a pathway into employment, further/higher education or training.
The Careers Team

Mrs S Gilding
Email: sgilding@stjosephsmail.com
Tel: 01782 418216

Mrs S Cumbo
Email: scumbo@stjosephsmail.com
Ms F Brindley – Careers Co-ordinator
Email: FBrindley@stjosephsmail.com
Mr C Shaw – Careers Advisor
(Careers and Enterprise Company – CEC)
To provide impartial information, advice and guidance, helping our students to make realistic choices about their education, training and work.
Careers Delivery Through The Keystages
Careers Education is introduced from Year 7 through to Year 11 as part of the PSHE curriculum with our dedicated Personal Development Lead, Mrs S Cumbo, ensuring consistency in delivery and content.
Alongside these timetabled lessons, students also engage in career related activities each year through a targeted programme of activities from Year 7 through to Year 13 as can be seen in our pictorial SJC Careers Programme guide.
Evaluation Of Our Careers Offering
We are committed to ensuring that our Careers programme meets the requirements and wishes of all involved. Activities are therefore regularly evaluated including using student voice and seeking staff feedback, to ensure that our programme can evolve to meet the changing needs of our students. Where appropriate and applicable, feedback is also sourced from our providers and parents.
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As part of the PSHE ‘World of Work’ curriculum, lessons focus on a range of vital career related areas including:
- Developing skills and aspirations (careers, teamwork and enterprise skills, and raising aspirations)
- Financial decision making
- Community and careers (equality of opportunity in careers and life choices, and different types and patterns of work)
- Setting goals (learning strengths, career options and goal setting)
- Employability skills (employability and online presence)
In Year 9 there is more emphasis on career exploration as pupils choose their optional subjects at GCSE.
- Industry day forms a key part of this with various industries/apprenticeship providers invited in for students to explore as part of their career journey
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- As part of the PSHE ‘World of Work’ curriculum, lessons focus on a range of vital career related areas including:
- Financial decision making (the impact of financial decisions, debt, gambling and the impact of advertising on financial choices)
- Work experience (preparation for & evaluation of work experience and readiness for work)
- During Year 10, students will have the opportunity to have a week’s work experience alongside further ‘World of Work’ focussed time to broaden their horizons
- In Year 11, each student will be allocated at least one careers interview with the school’s qualified independent careers advisor. During this time, they are encouraged to consider their options after leaving school including A levels, Apprenticeships, Vocational and Technical courses and T levels plus guidance on which degree courses might suit their chosen career path.
- As part of the PSHE ‘World of Work’ curriculum, lessons focus on a range of vital career related areas including:
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- There is ample opportunity for students to complete further work experience once they reach the sixth form. This is likely to be more focused and career-specific than the Year 10 placement.
- Sixth formers are also strongly advised to have at least one appointment with our careers advisor, in order to gain vital information about university courses, student finance, UCAS, gap years and apprenticeships.
- Significant support is put in place through the pastoral team to guide students through the options of “Life Beyond Sixth Form” including but not limited to –
- A ‘”Life Beyond Sixth Form” week at the end of Year 12 with students off timetable to explore and plan for their options and choices beyond year 13
- Ongoing sharing and information on Apprenticeships including upcoming opportunities
- Opportunities to experience life in certain sectors including law (working with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors)
- An Employability Skills workshop run by a local university
- A Higher Education Evening Fayre including presentations on Apprenticeships / Higher Horizons (the most recent was attended by more than 25 providers from across the country)
- CV preparation / Employability skills
- Mock interviews
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- Local Employer Visits – a range of local employers visit our school frequently to talk about careers and/or to lead sessions or assemblies. Some examples include our local army careers officer, apprentices from Bentley, a clinical psychologist, lawyer, GP and our local Chief Inspector of police. We are fortunate enough to have excellent links with a variety of organisations in our community and we utilise these links to the full, in order to provide our students with the best possible practical advice. We have launched our LinkedIn page to build our Alumni network allowing us to provide further opportunities and share stories of inspiration with our students.
- Impartial Careers Advice – Our Careers Adviser attends parents’ evenings for Year 9 – 13 and is happy to speak to parents and students alike. Any student between Year 9 – 13 is welcome to request a full careers interview at any point during the school year, in order to gain tailored 1-2-1 advice on careers and higher education.
- Careers research area – pupils are encouraged to use the careers section in the main library, which is open to pupils at lunchtime and after school. Our librarian also coordinates our careers programme.
- Apprenticeship bus – All students from Year 9 upwards are given the chance to visit the Apprenticeship Bus, which makes an annual trip to the school during the spring term. This gives them insight into apprenticeships at all levels.
- Unifrog – All students, staff and parents too are able to make use of the Unifrog platform from January 2022. In the words of Unifrog, they – “……. bring all the available information into one single, impartial, user-friendly platform that helps students to make the best choices….”
- TEAMS updates – All students in KS3 and KS4 are part of a TEAM where careers information suitable for their year group is posted. For sixth form, career information is added to the dedicated Year group TEAMS pages.
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- Career link teachers – Understanding how a subject might link to future career paths is an essential part of the CEIAG journey. As such, each subject area has a named career link teacher with a focus on ensuring the promotion of career links within their curriculum area. This will often include –
- the organising of subject specific talks or visits
- a board of up to date information on linked career options
- the highlighting of related careers to a specific topic area
- Unifrog provides an excellent source of information on careers linked to subjects which students, teachers and parents can access
- The apprenticeship.gov.uk website provides some excellent easily accessible information on careers linked to different subjects
- The following websites provide further useful information for students, teachers and parents on careers in the curriculum
- Career link teachers – Understanding how a subject might link to future career paths is an essential part of the CEIAG journey. As such, each subject area has a named career link teacher with a focus on ensuring the promotion of career links within their curriculum area. This will often include –
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As part of our commitment to broadening the horizons of all our students and providing a diverse and enriching careers programme, we are always interested in hearing from and forging working relationships with businesses and organisation – both local and nationwide.
For further information, or if you are interested in coming into school to present to our students / be involved in some of our career initiatives, please contact Mrs S Cumbo (scumbo@stjosephsmail.com) or Mrs F Tomkins (FTomkins@stjosephsmail.com)
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There is a requirement for all young people to continue in either education or indeed training until their 18th birthday. The options for this extend beyond simply staying at Sixth form and studying A levels at St. Joseph’s.
- They could study full-time in one of the other Further Education establishments in and around the city and beyond (see the details below) or with a training provider
- They could work or volunteer full time alongside part time education or training
- They could take up an apprenticeship or traineeship
As a parent / guardian, the choices available to your son / daughter can feel overwhelming not only to them, but to you too. Whilst it needs to ultimately be their choice, your role in supporting them with their future choices is key and in many cases, your guidance can be so influential.
As such, it is important that you are armed with the right information you need to provide the right level of support. There is some further guidance and web links on options below but the most important advice from us to you would be to spend time with them, talk and listen!
- Find out what careers they are interested in – and ensure that they are exploring the requirements to keep them on this pathway (this could well include their options in Year 9!)
- Encourage them to find out what courses, training and work experience opportunities are available to secure their decision on career direction.
- This should include looking at alternative pathways such as Apprenticeships and Traineeships so they are fully informed
- Use the Unifrog website (from Jan 2022) alongside your child, with quizzes to help identify their interested, skills and qualities. Find out about local labour market information and the importance of employability skills
- The below powerpoint and short youtube video from Unifrog provides useful guidance
- Think ahead – not only in discussing their choice of study post 16 but also, post 18 if they are thinking of Higher Education – choices here can be shaped by choices and grades at GCSE
Remember, you are not on your own – please do contact either Mrs Cumbo or Mrs Tomkins if you have any questions and we will do our best to guide you.
Useful Websites For Students, Parents AND Teachers
SUMMARY INFORMATION WEBSITE LINKS Apprenticeships – Government website which provides up to date information on apprenticeship opportunities. Find an apprenticeship (findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk) Amazing Apprenticeships website including a monthly parent Pack – An excellent monthly information and guidance to support parents with apprenticeship advice. The website also provides information on T levels and Traineeships too. Careers Guidance for Parents from the Careers Writers Association. Provides a range of guidance and information from application and interview guidance to Higher Education, Apprenticeships and Labour Market Information with thoughts on jobs of the future. Careermag – A website which provides a range of support materials including a free careermag for parents. Careermag – Parents – Careermap Higher Horizons – Parent guide – Dedicated resources to support parents in understanding key facts about higher education the facts about higher education. University Information for Parents – Higher Horizons+ LearnLive – Access to interactive live sessions and on demand videos from employers providing insight into different industries. Channel – Learn Live (learnliveuk.com) Military Careers – For further information on career options within the Armed Forces. National Careers Service – Guidance and information on over 800 jobs including the skills and qualifications required, and pay and career prospects. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ Skills to Succeed Academy website – supported by Accenture. A website that focuses on employability skills from Create CVs to practicing interview skills Skills to Succeed Academy (s2sacademy.com) Targetcareers – A great website providing information on different career sectors, employability skills and the job market Resource zone | TARGETcareers Traineeships – Information on Traineeships. Traineeships – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) University Information – Two key websites for further guidance on Higher Education options -
Career choices can feel overwhelming but hopefully through your time in KS3 and KS4, you will have had the opportunity to explore various options and understand the pathways open to you.
As a reminder, you must stay in some form of education through until your 18th birthday.
This could well mean staying at St. Josephs College to study A levels – but there are other options available to you as well from A levels at other colleges to Applied qualifications (BTECs), T levels and Apprenticeships.
- A levels – studying a subject that has often been studied at GCSE, to a greater depth with different colleges having different entry requirements. They last for two years and students typically study three. They are assessed predominantly through examinations at the end of the two-year period – some have a coursework element. They can lead to university, higher and degree level apprenticeships or indeed employment.
- Applied qualifications (Level 3) e.g. BTECs – are equivalent to A levels and provide an opportunity for students to apply their learning to a general job area. There is a wide range including Agriculture, Business and Law, Construction, Engineering, Finance, Performing Arts, Retail, Science and Travel and Tourism. They often involve a mix of classroom learning and practical skills. On completion, they allow entry to a range of higher education courses at university, higher and degree level apprenticeships or indeed employment.
- T levels – are the equivalent of three A levels and like A levels, run for two years. The key difference is that 80% of time is classroom learning and 20% is as a placement in industry (at least 45 days) as the T level focuses on vocational skills. They can lead to university, higher and degree level apprenticeships or indeed employment.
- Apprenticeships – Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3) are equivalent to two A levels and typically run from 18 – 48 months. Learning is 80% working with the employer and 20% of the time in structured learning. They can lead to university, higher and degree level apprenticeships or indeed employment.
- Careerpilot : Get information : Apprenticeships : What’s involved in an apprenticeship, entry requirements and how is it assessed?
- What is an apprenticeship? (amazingapprenticeships.com)
- Apprenticeship levels explained (amazingapprenticeships.com)
- What is a degree apprenticeship? (amazingapprenticeships.com)
- Traineeships – can vary in length from 6 weeks to 1 year though most are less than 6 months (the work placement is a minimum of 70 hours). They are supported by training providers (who will provide maths, English and digital skills) working with local employers and can support individuals in taking the next step into an apprenticeship, work or further study.
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The links below will take you directly to various local college websites to view the courses available. College prospectus are also available in the library in the careers section.
- Reaseheath College, Nantwich https://www.reaseheath.ac.uk/
- Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group – https://nscg.ac.uk/
- Sixth Form College, City of Stoke on Trent https://stokesfc.ac.uk/
- Stoke on Trent College https://stokecoll.ac.uk/
- Cheshire College (South and West) https://ccsw.ac.uk/
- Thomas More Catholic Academy, Stoke-on-Trent https://stmca.org.uk/
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St Joseph’s College
St Joseph’s College- Thursday 3rd November 2022, 7pm
NSCG
NSCG | Two Campuses, One Destination- Tuesday 8 November 2022, 5.30 – 8pm
- Saturday 21 January 2023, 10am – 12noon
- Saturday 6 May 2023, 10am – 12noon
Stoke-on-Trent College
Home – Stoke-on-Trent College :Stoke-on-Trent College (stokecoll.ac.uk)- Wednesday 19 October 2022, 5 – 7:30PM
- Wednesday 30 November 2022, 5 – 7:30PM
- Wednesday 18 January 2023, 5 – 7:30PM (FOR ADULT LEARNERS)
- Wednesday 8 March 2023, 5 – 7:30PM
- Saturday 20 May 2023, 10AM – 2PM
- Wednesday 21 June 2023, 5 – 7:30PM
St Thomas More Catholic College
St Thomas More Catholic Academy Trinity Sixth Form Enrolement (stmca.org.uk)- 10th November 5-7pm
Stoke Sixth Form College
Home – City of Stoke-on-Trent College Sixth Form College (stokesfc.ac.uk)- October 12, 2022 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- November 22, 2022 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- February 1, 2023 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- March 22, 2023 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Reaseheath College
Reaseheath College – leading land-based college- Saturday 5th November
- Saturday 3rd December
- Saturday 14th January
- Saturday 11th February
- Saturday 25th March
- Saturday 22nd April
- Saturday 10th June
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As students come to the end of their sixth form journey, you reach the next decision point – your post 18 destination. There are three main pathways to choose from:
Apprenticeships
- Careerpilot : Get information : Apprenticeships : What’s involved in an apprenticeship, entry requirements and how is it assessed?
- What is an apprenticeship? (amazingapprenticeships.com)
- Apprenticeship levels explained (amazingapprenticeships.com)
- What is a degree apprenticeship? (amazingapprenticeships.com)
University
- UCAS | At the heart of connecting people to higher education
- Complete University Guide – University Rankings, Guides and Courses (thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk)
Full-time employment
- The link below is a useful starting point – a Careermag for School leavers.
Careermag – Students & Teachers – Careermap
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LMI For All is a comprehensive portal that collates various sources of LMI to provide high-quality data but what is LMI?In short, LMI refers to any relevant information about the current state of the jobs market and so is helpful in understanding the current skill gaps in the market. The information can be quite overwhelming but the following websites can be helpful in understanding the job market a little more clearly.
- What is LMI, How Can It Help Young People, and How Do You Use It? – Youth Employment UK
- Labour Market Information | Careers Writers Association (parentalguidance.org.uk)
- Dos and don’ts for using labour market information in your career decisions | TARGETcareers
- Stoke and Staffs Area 2018 Labour Market and Growth
LMI can include information like:
- The industries and businesses that operate in a certain location e.g. local to the student
- The types of jobs that exist and what they involve.
- How many of those jobs there are.
- The skills that are currently or will be in high demand.
- Commute and travel to work patterns.
- Typical rates of pay.
- Career progression opportunities.
It can be both quantitative (related to numbers and statistics), and qualitative (information and phenomena that can be observed but not measured). Qualitative LMI is usually based on studies and on data such as the Census, while qualitative LMI is based on interviews, anecdotes, press reports, networks, and so on.
Why Is LMI Useful?
The world of work is a complex and fast moving area – LMI helps to simplify it a little and thus, equips individuals to make informed choices on their career progression based on information that is relevant at that point in time and in the location they are living in. LMI also importantly looks to ‘project’ future skills areas that will be in demand.
Anne Milton, MP explained it like this: “It is vital, in an environment where new industries are emerging and many of the most important jobs of the future don’t yet exist, that individuals have access to high-quality labour market information and earnings data to underpin their choices”.
LMI can give a individuals some insight into areas including:-
- Are there job opportunities where I live, or do I need to consider relocating?
- Can I earn what I hope for in this career?
- What is the career progression like?
- How competitive is this industry? What is my backup plan if it doesn’t work out?
- National Figures
- UK Commission for Employment & Skills – Working Futures 2014 – 2024
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Careerometer can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations, help you learn about different occupations and identify potential careers.
It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation.
Simply type in the title of the job you are interested in and the widget provides a series of options from which you can select the most relevant to you. You can then look up another two occupations and compare. You can also select ‘display the UK average’ and compare the information with the occupation you have selected.
Success Stories

William Tittensor

Ndlela Sibanda

Wajeeha Manal

Biben Benny

Luke Johnson

Georgina Hull

Hamdh Wahab

Jessica Dawson
We are proud of our students!
97%
Of our students achieved English and mathematics GCSEs at grades 4 or greater (secure pass).
83%
Of our students achieved English and mathematics GCSEs at grades 5 or greater (good pass).
47%
Of all grades achieved at GCSE were grade 7 or higher.
45%
Of our students achieved grade 7 or higher in 5 or more GCSE subjects.
98%
Of our A2 students pass their courses, with 62% achieving A* to B grades, and 32% achieving A* or A grades.
OUTSTANDING
St. Joseph’s College is delighted to have maintained its ‘Outstanding’ status at its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2014.