Queen Elizabeth’s School works with careers advisers from Future Smart Careers to ensure that every student has access to independent careers advice in Key Stage 4 and again at Key Stage 5. 

Each student will have a one-to-one meeting with a careers advisor to explore some ideas and make some plans for your future. 

 Our Future Smart Careers personal adviser works alongside staff in school to do the following: 

• Give you expert and up-to-date information on available job, training and education opportunities 

• Help you understand that information through group work, one-to-one interviews, drop in sessions or through parent events 

• Give you support or refer you to other agencies who can advise you about the relevance of courses to your goals 

• Support careers and citizenship education programmes 

Our Personal Adviser will see all Year 10 to Year 13 students to discuss career ideas. You will be automatically offered an appointment in the Spring Term of Year 10 and then again in Year 12.  

If you require additional support you may be offered additional personal guidance opportunities during Year 11 and Year 13. Students are encouraged to talk to their Tutors and Heads of Year if they need further guidance at any stage of their journey through QE. 

This document outlines what you can expect to happen at your careers interview. 

Preparing for your careers interview

Future Smart Careers provide additional careers support via their website https://www.futuresmartcareers.co.uk/ 

All students have access to the Unifrog platform. They will register for an account during Personal Development lessons.  

The Unifrog login page can be accessed here: https://www.unifrog.org/ 

This website helps students to explore their career interests, compare apprenticeships, FE courses and University courses, then apply successfully for their next steps. In addition to this, students will use the Unifrog Locker to track their careers journey from Year 7 to Year 13. 

Parents and caregivers can now have their own accounts on Unifrog, which enable them to:  

• see their child’s next tasks, unfinished actions, upcoming events, placements, and the interactions added by their teachers  

• try out our student tools, e.g. find out what frog they are in the personality quiz 

• find webinars, fairs, and guides aimed at parents and caregivers 

• subscribe and unsubscribe to the parent/caregiver daily summary email (which summarises activities their child has done on Unifrog the day before) and the parent/caregiver newsletter (which shares parent webinars, guides, and opportunities for their child). 

More information and instructions on how to set up an account can be found here: Unifrog Guide for Parents 2026.pptx

All students in Year 10 and Year 12 take part in at least one week of Work Experience, held at the end of the Summer Term. 

During the months leading up to Work Experience, students receive help and support from our Careers Team, Head of Year and Tutors. However, students will always be encouraged to take responsibility for finding their own placement with a local employer. 

The opportunity to take part in work experience helps students gain a valuable insight into the world of work, learn about their own strengths and weaknesses, and often clarify future career ambitions.  

More information on how to prepare for work experience can be found here: Using the Unifrog Work Environments Tool 2026.pptx 

Information on how to find a suitable placement can be found here: Using the Unifrog Work Environments Tool 2026.pptx 

If you are in Year 10 or Year 12 and need to log the details of your work placement, this guide will explain how to do this: Using the Unifrog Placements Tool 2026.pptx 

Throughout the year, we run a programme of events designed to help students explore future pathways, develop employability skills and make informed decisions about their next steps. We are always adding to our core offer detailed below. 

Autumn Term 

Mock Interviews for Year 11 

Careers Corner as a feature of Careers Focus Week 

Empowering Girls Mentoring for Year 9 Girls 

QE Sixth Form Open Evening 

Spring Term 

Mock Interviews for Year 13 

National Apprenticeship Week 

National Careers Week 

Year 9 Curriculum Offer Evening 

Summer Term 

Work Experience for Year 10 and Year 12 

Sixth Form/Future Steps Taster Day for Year 10 

Ongoing Support Throughout the Year 

• Onetoone careers guidance interviews with Department for Work and Pensions, Exeter College, Bicton College and more! 

• Dropin careers support sessions at lunchtime and after school 

• Access to online careers platforms and resources- Unifrog and Careerpilot 

• Regular updates through newsletters and school communication channels 

Our aim is to ensure every student leaves us feeling prepared, confident and excited about their future. 

The Provider Access Legislation (PAL), updated in January 2023, requires all schools to ensure that students have meaningful opportunities to learn about technical education, apprenticeships and vocational pathways. This includes allowing external training providers, colleges, apprenticeship organisations and employers to speak directly to students about approved qualifications and career routes. 

Our school fully supports this requirement and is committed to providing students with high quality, impartial careers information and guidance. We welcome visits from a range of providers to help students understand the full variety of Post16 and Post18 options. 

Please find a link to our full statement here: Provider Access Legislation Statement 2026.docx 

What is the careers programme for? 

Our careers programme helps you explore different jobs, understand your options for the future, and build the skills you’ll need for life after school. 

Which year groups take part in careers activities? 

Every year group does! From Year 7 to Year 13, you’ll have lessons, events and experiences designed to help you think about your future step by step. 

What careers events happen during the year? 

You can get involved in career assemblies, employer talks, workplace visits, mock interviews, workshops and, in some year groups, work experience placements. 

Can I talk to someone about my future plans? 

Yes. You will be given a onetoone appointment with our Careers Adviser in Year 10 and again Year 12 . Students at Western Road can attend a drop in at lunchtime on a Monday or after school on a Wednesday. Students at Barnfield are encouraged to speak to their Personal Development teacher. 

How does the school help with choosing subjects or courses? 

You’ll get support when choosing your GCSEs, Post16 options (like sixth form, college or apprenticeships), and Post18 routes (like university, higher apprenticeships or work). 

What is work experience and when do I do it? 

Work experience gives you a chance to try out a real workplace. Many students do this in the summer term of Year 10, but opportunities to encounter work places may be available at other times too. 

How can I find out about apprenticeships, colleges or universities? 

We share information through tutor time, assemblies, newsletters and the school website. You can also ask your Personal Development teacher or look at Unifrog. 

Can I get help with my CV or applications? 

Absolutely. Unifrog provides advice and support for writing CVs and personal statements and practicing interview skills, and you can ask the Careers Adviser for personalised help. You will also be given support in your Personal Development lessons. 

How can I get involved with employer events? 

Look out for signup forms, tutor announcements and messages from the Careers Team. We love seeing students take part! 

Where can I find careers resources? 

You’ll find job profiles, labourmarket info, course guides and useful links on Unifrog. Also look out for displays around school. 

Still have a question? 

Speak to your Personal Development teacher, your Tutor or Mrs McHugh. 

Career Pilot is a helpful resource for both students and parents/carers. 

https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/ 

Amazing Apprenticeships 

https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/ 

Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network 

https://trainingprovider.com/