Careers Education & Guidance

Careers Plan 2025/26

Our Careers Plan provides every student with hands-on, real-world experiences from Year 7 through to Sixth Form. By connecting the classroom to industry, hosting expert workshops, and arranging workplace and university visits, we ensure our students are ready for the future. Whether aiming for university, an apprenticeship, or technical training, every student receives tailored, impartial guidance to map out a clear pathway to success.

Coming soon....Careers Plan

Julia Hollingworth (Assistant Headteacher) leads our Careers Team

With over 30 years of experience in education, Julia Hollingworth offers unparalleled expertise in navigating the evolving landscape of careers education. She specialises in supporting students through the complexities of post-16 and post-18 pathways, providing the personalised guidance necessary to bridge the gap between education and sustainable employment.

By staying at the forefront of careers legislation and industry trends, Julia provides the strategic vision required to deliver exceptional, high-impact careers programmes across the entire school. Her approach is rooted in a wealth of historical context, seamlessly integrated with a forward-thinking commitment to individual employability.

Madina Raufy - Careers Coordinator

Madina Raufy brings a wealth of industry experience to our careers team, having previously held positions at global organisations including TikTok and Tesla.

In her role, Madina provides hands-on career guidance that effectively bridges education and the world of work. Her focus is on organising opportunities for students to visit and engage directly with employers and universities, facilitating meaningful work-related experiences, and connecting students with apprenticeship and training providers. Furthermore, she will coordinate visits from external organisations and institutions to deliver targeted talks, workshops, and guidance sessions.

Please contact the team at: careers@qpcs.brent.sch.uk

Independent Careers Advice

To complement the careers education delivered through tutorial time (Year Group Learning/YGL) PSHCE lessons and assemblies, the school employs independent external advisers. They are onsite two days a week and are based in the Careers Room (Q308a).

In addition to providing one-to-one interviews, our advisers deliver specialist group sessions for sixth form students. These employability workshops cover a broad range of essential transition skills, including navigating apprenticeship applications, CV writing, preparing for assessment centres, and mastering interview techniques.

Individual careers appointments are coordinated by our Careers Coordinator, Madina Raufy, for students in key year groups. While we target support toward those with specific requirements, progress is continuously monitored, and follow-up interviews are scheduled as needed.

Our team is dedicated to supporting both students and their families. While one-to-one guidance sessions are mandatory for Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 students, we warmly welcome parents to attend as optional participants for Key Stage 4 appointments.  Parents will receive a notification including instructions on how to join the session should they wish to support their child.

Jessica Pieri & Claire Flannery - Careers Advisers

Our experienced Level 6 qualified Careers Advisers provide personalised, impartial careers guidance to support students in making informed decisions about their future. This includes one-to-one and group guidance sessions, helping students explore career pathways, further and higher education options, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities.

Additionally, this role involves assessing individual interests, strengths, and aspirations, offering tailored advice, supporting applications and progression planning, and working closely with employers, training providers, and educational institutions to ensure students have access to accurate, up-to-date labour market information and real-world insight.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are on-the-job training programmes. They combine work and study and are always paid. An apprentice will spend 80% of their time working with an employer, learning new skills and gaining real workplace experience. The remaining 20% of their time will be spent studying either at college, with an independent training provider or at a university (depending on the apprenticeship level).

Technical Qualifications

T Levels (Level 3) are two-year courses you take after GCSEs that are the precise academic equivalent to three A-Levels. Developed hand-in-hand with industry employers, they reverse the standard classroom model: you spend 80% of your time in college learning specialised theory, and 20% (around 45 days) on a guaranteed, structured industry work placement to get your foot in the door of your chosen sector.

HTQs (Higher Technical Qualifications, Levels 4 and 5) are the next step up, designed for students aged 18+ after you finish T Levels, A-Levels, or a college course. They take 1–2 years to complete and are the equivalent of a Foundation Degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND). Because they carry an official government 'Quality Mark', they guarantee that you are learning the exact, cutting-edge practical skills local employers are hunting for right now, allowing you to fast-track straight into a highly skilled, well-paid job or top-up to a full degree later.
 

Rapid Reads:

What is an apprenticeship?

What are higher level technical qualifications?

What are T Levels?

Apprenticeship levels explained

What is a degree apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships - Hints & Tips for Parents and Carers

Want to find out more?

If you would like to find live apprenticeship vacancies or would like advice on how to get ‘application ready’ please follow the links below.
 

Government Apprenticeship websites

Become an Apprentice: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/ Subject snapshots

Find an apprenticeship: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Further Apprenticeship websites

Pathway CTM: https://pathwayctm.com/for-student/

Amazing Apprenticeships: https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/

Higher in: https://higherin.com/

UCAS Apprenticeships: https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships

Get My First Job: https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/

Digital Apprenticeships

Digital apprenticeships are an incredible way to kickstart your career, allowing you to combine hands-on workplace experience with academic learning - all while earning a salary and avoiding student debt.

Several prominent companies and organisations in London are actively hiring digital apprentices. Use the master directory below to explore key players, the specific digital roles they offer, and where to apply:

Top Tip for Applicants

Many of these major employers open their application windows up to a year before the start date (often between October and February). Keep this table saved on your dashboard so you can check back regularly and never miss a deadline.

Creative Apprenticeships

https://creativeindustries.ac.uk/our-apprenticeships

https://creativelivesinprogress.com/articles/creative-apprenticeships-and-programmes

Your guidance is crucial in helping your child navigate their future. To help you explore the post-16 and post-18 landscapes together, we have curated a suite of tailored resources:

• Next Step Guides: Digital booklets covering qualification and career pathways for students. Click on any image below to open the guide.
• Additional Support Websites: Many dedicated resource hubs packed with further information, toolkits, and advice to assist you and your child with their transition planning.

Additional Support Websites

Amazing Apprenticeship 

This platform features a dedicated 'Parent Zone' packed with resources to help you explore Post-16 and Post-18 pathways with your child. It includes interactive tools you can use together at home - such as real-life apprenticeship stories, 'Meet the Employer' features, and live webinars. Additionally, the site hosts up-to-date vacancy listings for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, making it an invaluable tool for planning your child's next steps. 

Access link to Parent Zone

Unifrog

Unifrog is an award-winning online careers platform now available to all students in Years 7 to 13. It acts as a one-stop-shop to help your child explore their interests and confidently map out their next steps after school. 

How can you get involved? Because family support is so important, we have created Parent & Carer Logins. You can log in, using the email address you have registered with the school on Bromcom, to explore the platform exactly as a student would, making it easy to guide and support your child's career journey from home.

Unifrog

Introduction Video for Parents and Carers

National Careers Service

The National Careers Service is a fantastic government platform providing free, impartial guidance for students, parents and carers. Use their interactive Skills Assessment to find careers that match your talents, browse hundreds of detailed Job Profiles to check industry salaries and requirements, or use their live chat feature to speak directly with a professional careers adviser. National Careers Service

Talking Futures 

An excellent website designed by the Gatsby Foundation to help parents and carers comfortably discuss future steps with their children. It is packed with interactive Conversation Cards to break the ice, jargon-free guides explaining current Post-16 and Post-18 pathways, and practical toolkits to help you support your child's career journey without needing to have all the answers yourself.  

Talking Futures 

Skills for Careers

The Skills for Careers website is a fantastic government platform that outlines all the educational and training pathways available to young people. Use their interactive 'Your Training Options' directory to quickly compare A-Levels, T Levels, Apprenticeships, and Technical Qualifications, helping you map out a clear, confident route into your chosen industry. 

Skills for Careers

UCAS

Navigating higher education applications can feel overwhelming, which is why we highly recommend the UCAS Advice for Parents, Guardians, and Carers Hub. This official platform offers a wealth of free resources, including an annual downloadable application guide, step-by-step advice for assisting with personal statements, and detailed explanations of student finance. Whether your child is looking at traditional university courses, conservatoires, or degree apprenticeships, this site ensures you have the tools to support them every step of the way.

UCAS

Success at School

To help families navigate the modern workplace, we highly recommend the Success at School Parents' Portal. This brilliant national platform is specifically designed to help parents and carers confidently guide their children through post-16 and post-18 choices. It features a comprehensive downloadable Parents' Guide, step-by-step career mapping activities, and advice on building employability skills. It also acts as a live vacancy board, connecting students directly with apprenticeships and training schemes at top-tier firms.

Success at School

Your Career, Your Choice

When planning your future, it is vital to prioritise your personal interests and goals over the influence of your peers. While it is natural to follow your friends, your path should be uniquely yours.

To ensure success, keep the following strategies in mind:

• Stay Informed: Gather as much information as possible to make confident, data-backed decisions. It is important that you do your research as some careers will require you to gain specific qualifications.
• Have a Backup Plan: Always consider alternative options in case your circumstances or interests change
• Build a Support Network: Actively seek guidance from trusted adults, including:
  • Teachers and school staff.
  • Parents or carers.
  • Professional Careers Advisers and training providers.

To help you navigate the various pathways available, use the table below to explore the different levels of qualifications. Understanding these levels will help you answer four key questions:

1. What exactly does the course involve?
2. Where can I study this qualification?
3. How long will it take to complete?
4. What are my options once I finish the course?

Unifrog

Unifrog, an award-winning online careers destination now available to all students in Years 7 to 13. This platform acts as a one-stop-shop to help students explore their interests and confidently plan their next steps after school.
 

Through your personal accounts, you can access a wide range of interactive tools, split into four key areas:

• Pathways: Careers profiles, subject matches, and personality quizzes.
• Interests: Tracking extracurricular activities and building key workplace skills.
• Opportunities: Live search tools for global universities, apprenticeships, and work experience.
• Applications: Dedicated templates for writing CVs and personal statements.

https://www.unifrog.org/

What is Labour Market Information (LMI)?

LMI effectively describes the world of work – it ranges from descriptions of different careers, their entry routes, promotional prospects, salaries paid, skills and qualifications needed, etc.

Crucially for young people, LMI also covers future demand – what kinds of jobs will be in demand after leaving school and what kinds of skills will be needed.

Learning from Careers and Labour Market Information.

Understanding LMI is becoming more and more important as the world changes, so that all students can be aware of different job roles that are needed around the country and what types of jobs may need more people in the future. LMI information for specific jobs can be found in the Unifrog Careers library.  Below is information on what LMI actually means.

Skillsometer

Skillsometer has been designed for those who are not sure what jobs they may be interested in. Thinking about skills, interests and the ways these can link to jobs can be a helpful first step in identifying possible future jobs. 

The quiz requires you to reflect on a number of statements and decide what you love, are not sure about or dislike. The statements are presented within six well established occupational categories (Artistic, Realistic, Investigative, Conventional, Enterprising, and Social), which are then ranked against jobs. Once you have completed the quiz you are given a short list of job suggestions that are most likely to be suited to your own particular skills and interests. Each job can be explored as a description is presented together with information on pay and hours. For further information on the job, and to compare with other jobs, you could then go to the Careerometer below.

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.

How to use the Careerometer

Simply type in the first career that you think you might be interested in and select from the drop-down list, then add your second and third choices to see the comparison.

Useful Careers Websites

Careerpilot - is a free online tool designed for students aged 11–19 to help you figure out your future. Whether you are deciding on GCSEs at 14, post-16 paths, or post-18 college, university, and employment routes, Careerpilot puts all the options in one place. 

icould - Want a real, honest look at what different jobs are actually like? Check out icould. Take the quick Buzz Quiz to find your personality animal and explore matching careers, or browse over 1,000 videos of professionals sharing how they built their careers straight out of school. 

National Careers Service - Want the hard facts on your dream job? Head to the National Careers Service to explore hundreds of job profiles, check out real-world industry salaries, or take the Skills Assessment to discover careers that match your unique strengths! 

BBC Bitesize - Ready to think beyond the classroom? Head over to BBC Bitesize Careers. Take the 'Perfect Job' quiz to find your match, check out behind-the-scenes videos of real job roles, and download their free CV toolkits to start building your future today! 

Not just Lab coats - Fascinated by science but don't want to work in a lab? Check out Not Just Lab Coats. Take their Careers Quiz to find out what industry jobs fit your personality, discover high-paying technical and business roles you've never heard of, and use their live job board to find science apprenticeships starting near you! 

Recommended for Post 16 Study

T Levels - Curious about a technical route that gets you into the workplace? Head over to the Official T Levels Student Portal to explore subject profiles, hear real student success stories, and find out which local colleges or sixth forms are delivering T Level courses near you! 

Talking Futures - Struggling to talk to your parents/carers about what you want to do after school? Sit down together and explore Talking Futures. Use their interactive Conversation Cards to make planning your next steps a team effort, and help your parents/carers understand all the awesome technical and academic options open to you! 

Success at School - Want a head start on your career? Explore Success at School! Check out the Mentoring Zone to chat with real apprentices who can give you insider tips, browse upcoming Careers Webinars, or use their live job board to find the latest apprenticeship and training opportunities! 

My World of Work - Ready to figure out your next steps? Head over to My World of Work. Take the Animal Me personality quiz, use the subject-match tool to figure out your qualification options, or use their built-in CV builder to start putting together your first job application! 

Recommended for Post 18 Study

Prospects - Want to know exactly what it takes to break into your dream industry? Head over to Prospects to start mapping out your future. You can take the interactive Job Match Quiz to see which of their 400+ detailed career profiles matches your unique personality, or use the popular 'What can I do with my degree?' tool to see exactly where your favourite school subjects can take you in the real world. Thinking of expanding your horizons? Prospects also features a comprehensive directory on studying and taking your qualification abroad, giving you all the tools you need for a truly global career.

UCAS - Ready to take your next big step? Create your free account on the UCAS Hub. Use their search engine to browse over 35,000 university courses, use the built-in templates to start drafting your personal statement, and explore degree apprenticeship opportunities with top UK employers! 

Not Going to Uni - University isn't the only way to launch a dream career! Explore Not Going to Uni to find thousands of live opportunities. Use their job boards to track down high-paying Degree Apprenticeships, filter options by your favourite industries, and read real student stories about entering the working world straight out of school! 

London LMI - Want to know who is hiring in your area and what qualifications you actually need to land the job? Head over to Start in London! Explore the key industries driving the capital, tap into real-time London salary data, and start building your personalised career profile today! 

Work Experience

Uptree - Want to get your foot in the door with some of the UK’s biggest companies? Create your free profile on Uptree today! Use the platform to sign up for exclusive work experience days, complete free certified courses to level up your CV, and network directly with top recruiters looking for future talent! 

Springpod - Want to test out your dream career or university course from home? Head over to Springpod and create your free account! Dive into high-quality Virtual Work Experience with top employers, try out university taster lectures, and start earning certificates to make your CV stand out from the crowd! 

Futures for All - Ready to bypass the "it's not what you know, it's who you know" barrier? Create your free account on Futures for All. Use the Work Experience Finder to secure virtual or in-person placements with top UK employers, and get a head start on building an incredible CV! 

Apprenticeships

Become an Apprentice - Kickstart your career with Apprenticeships.gov.uk. Create your free account to tap into the Find an Apprenticeship live search engine, set up job alerts for top employers in your local area, and explore thousands of paid Higher and Degree apprenticeship options.

Find an Apprenticeship - Ready to stop researching and start applying? Head over to GOV.UK Find an Apprenticeship. Create your official account, set up custom alerts using your postcode, and use their dashboard to submit and track your applications for thousands of live, paid vacancies across England.

Amazing Apprenticeships - Ready to see how amazing your future could be? Head over to Amazing Apprenticeships! Challenge yourself in the Apprenticeship Arcade, browse thousands of competitive roles in the Higher & Degree Vacancy Listing, and watch real apprentice story films to discover where your favourite school subjects can take you. 

Higherin - Want the real, unfiltered truth about your dream career? Create your free account on Higherin. Read thousands of honest, student-written workplace reviews, explore their 'Top Employers' rankings to see who looks after their apprentices, and use their built-in Application Tracker to stay completely on top of your deadlines.

UCAS Apprenticeships - Why choose between university and an apprenticeship when you can explore both in one place? Head over to UCAS Apprenticeships! Use their Side-by-Side tool to compare paths, try out the UCAS CV Builder to structure your first resume, and browse live Degree Apprenticeship vacancies with massive global brands like Sky and Google. 

Pathway CTM - Want an unfair advantage when applying for top-tier corporate apprenticeships? Register for a free account with Pathway CTM - Take advantage of their free 1-to-1 mentoring calls to polish your applications, sign up for exclusive employer insight events, and tap into a system that makes you up to 10x more likely to secure your dream role.

Get My First Job - Ready to swap the classroom for a paycheck? Register for a free account on GetMyFirstJo. Take their PathFinder Quiz to uncover your professional career persona, browse thousands of live apprenticeships right in your local area, and use their single-click application system to get your foot in the door with top UK employers.

At QPCS, we view work-related learning as an essential foundation for adult life. By providing students with the key skills employers prioritise, we significantly enhance their future employability.

Beyond professional preparation, these opportunities help students understand business operations, finance, and labour markets while developing vital social and personal skills through enterprise activities and work experience.

Our work-related learning programme empowers students to:

• Identify and Apply Skills: Recognise and develop practical skills for enterprise and employability.
• Understand the Workplace: Gain deep insights into how businesses operate and navigate different work contexts.
• Bridge the Gap: Relate personal strengths and achievements to future career goals.
• Expand Horizons: Raise aspirations, explore diverse employment opportunities, and challenge workplace stereotypes.
• Engage with Challenges: Solve real-world business problems to build confidence and independence.
   

Your Future Starts Here: The QPCS Experiences of Work Pathway 

KS3: Students will engage in five days of work-related experiences, delivered through a flexible mix of face-to-face and virtual sessions.
 

KS4: Students are provided with a five-day face-to-face work experience placement at the end of Year 10 to gain practical industry insight. 

Our Year 10 Work Experience programme is scheduled to take place from Monday, 6th July to Friday, 10th July 2026.

Please ensure all students have completed the ‘Own Found Placement Form’ found on the work experience google classroom. 

To ensure all placements are finalised and safety-checked in time, please ensure that Year 10 Work Experience Green Form documentation is completed by the employer and parent and returned to your child’s Form Tutor by the end of April 2026.

Students, parents and carers can access the forms and guidance by clicking the links below:

Coming soon....Year 10 Work Experience Form (green)

While on placement, all students are required to complete the QPCS Year 10 Work Experience Booklet. This document serves as a formal record of their daily activities and a vital tool for self-reflection on the professional skills they are developing.
 

Important Information:

• Distribution: This booklet will be provided to all students in person prior to the start of their work experience.
• Daily Requirement: Students must ensure the booklet is kept safe and updated daily throughout their placement week.
• Evaluation: Upon returning to school, a mandatory work experience debrief will take place on Monday, 13th July 2026. During this session, the booklet will be used to evaluate the success of the placement, reflect on key achievements, and discuss how these insights align with future career goals.

Coming soon....Work Experience Booklet

KS5: Throughout their time in the Sixth Form, students have access to numerous face-to-face and virtual opportunities tailored to their specific career aspirations. As a cornerstone of this provision, all students will complete a work placement during "Futures Week" at the end of Year 12. 
 

Insightful articles regarding work experience

• UCAS website - Is work experience important? 
• UCAS website - Ten ways to get the most out of work experience
• Allaboutcareers - Why is work experience important?
• National Careers Service - Work experience explained

Recommended Platforms for Virtual and In-Person Work Experience 

Work experience can be delivered virtually or face-to-face. Below are several highly recommended websites that provide a wide range of placement opportunities for students: 

Uptree: Want to get your foot in the door with some of the UK’s biggest companies? Create your free profile on Uptree today! Use the platform to sign up for exclusive work experience days, complete free certified courses to level up your CV, and network directly with top recruiters looking for future talent! 

Springpod: Want to test out your dream career or university course from home? Head over to Springpod and create your free account! Dive into high-quality Virtual Work Experience with top employers, try out university taster lectures, and start earning certificates to make your CV stand out from the crowd! 

Futures for All: Ready to bypass the "it's not what you know, it's who you know" barrier? Create your free account on Futures for All. Use the Work Experience Finder to secure virtual or in-person placements with top UK employers, and get a head start on building an incredible CV! 

Forage: Offers bite-sized (5–6 hour) virtual work experience programs from Fortune 500 companies like Goldman Sachs and BCG, allowing you to complete real-world tasks and gain a career advantage. 

Higherin: A comprehensive site for finding internships, placements, and apprenticeships, featuring thousands of student reviews to help you choose the right employer. 

Barclays LifeSkills: Provides a virtual work experience tool that simulates a day at a digital agency, helping you develop key "soft skills" like problem-solving and communication.

Medic Mentor: If you’re a student with aspirations of becoming a doctor, then the Medic Mentor Virtual Work Experience Programme is an incredible opportunity that you won’t want to miss. Developed in partnership with the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, this programme provides a comprehensive and immersive virtual experience that will give you a real insight into the world of medicine. 

Allied Health Mentor: NHS virtual work experience for Allied Health Professions (AHPs) provides an interactive way for you to explore 15 different clinical roles beyond medicine and nursing, such as physiotherapy, radiography, and occupational therapy. These programs are designed to be flexible, often completed entirely online to help you build your CV and personal statement. For Example: 

The Lawyer Portal - While law work experience has traditionally been held in-person at firms or barristers' chambers, many legal practices now offer innovative virtual programmes. These digital placements allow students to gain authentic insight into the legal profession and experience daily life at a firm from the comfort of their own homes.

Engineering Development Trust (EDT): The Engineering Development Trust (EDT) offers structured STEM work experience through their Industrial Cadets programmes. These are designed to help students age 14–18+ explore careers in engineering and technology.

At QPCS, we are committed to collaborating with employers to prepare our students for their future careers and the world of work. Our goal is to ensure every student reaches their full potential, transitioning confidently to their chosen destination at 16 or 18. With your industry expertise, we can ensure our students are fully informed about their opportunities "Beyond QPCS."

There are many ways for employers to get involved and support our students:

• Careers Fair: Participate in our annual event to showcase your industry.
• Industry Talks & Assemblies: Deliver a session to a specific group or a whole year group to share insights into your sector.
• Meet the Employer: We invite industry professionals to lead interactive workshops that bridge the gap between education and employment. These sessions allow you to share your expertise while helping students develop the vital "soft skills" and professional standards required in the modern workplace. 
• Mock Interviews: Support our Sixth Form students as they prepare for the competitive university and apprenticeship application processes. By volunteering your time to conduct mock interviews, you provide students with invaluable practice, professional feedback, and the confidence to succeed in high-stakes environments. 
• Work Experience: Provide short-term placements to give students a taste of your profession.
• Curriculum Links: Partner with a Head of Subject to host workplace visits or speak to a class, bringing real-world context to their academic studies.
• Mentoring: Help students build their professional knowledge and confidence.

If you are an employer and would like to support us in any of these areas - or have other ideas for collaboration - please contact Madina Raufy at: careers@qpcs.brent.sch.uk
 

For further reading on the benefits of employer engagement please review the links below: 

• The Careers and Enterprise Company - How to support careers and enterprise activities in schools: A practical guide for employers
• Education and Employers - Improving the life chances of children and young people by connecting volunteers from the world of work with schools

Events 

The Creative Career Showcase

https://www.ucas.com/events/create-your-future-london-2026-the-creative-career-showcase-479151

QPCS Careers Newsletters

Summer Term 2025

Spring Term 2025

News

Meet The Employer Day 

QPCS invited twenty-two employers from a wide range of industries and professional backgrounds to support a full-day Mock Interview Event for our Year 10 cohort. The event was delivered using a carousel format, enabling each form group to attend the Main Hall during their allocated period and engage directly with employers.

Each session began with employers sharing their career journeys, providing students with valuable insight into different professions, educational pathways, and workplace experiences. Students were encouraged to ask questions, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the various roles represented and the routes taken to achieve career success.

Following the introductory presentations, students selected employers whose career paths or industries aligned most closely with their interests and participated in one-to-one mock interviews. This approach enabled students to engage in meaningful career conversations while developing their interview skills in a realistic and supportive environment.

The event exposed students to a diverse range of career pathways and occupations that many may not have previously considered. It was particularly impactful for students to meet professionals with similar backgrounds and lived experiences, including employers who openly discussed their experiences of navigating neurodiversity in the workplace.

To ensure students received meaningful and actionable feedback, employers were provided with evaluation forms and structured interview questions to complete following each interview. These evaluations assessed several key areas, including:

• Interview Preparation – readiness for interview questions and the quality of supporting documents such as CVs.
• Communication Skills – confidence, clarity of responses, body language, and non-verbal communication.
• Professionalism – presentation, use of business attire, punctuality, and overall conduct.
• Constructive Feedback – identification of individual strengths and areas for development to support future progression.

The feedback provided by employers offered students valuable insight into their current employability skills and helped them identify practical steps for improvement in preparation for future education, training, and employment opportunities.

Year 13 Cambridge University (Jesus College) Trip 

A group of Year 13 students recently had the opportunity to visit the University of Cambridge, taking part in an informative and engaging programme designed to support prospective applicants.

Upon arrival at Jesus College, students were welcomed by a college representative who provided an overview of the day's activities. Students then joined peers from several other schools for a guided tour of the college, led by current Jesus College undergraduates. This gave students the unique opportunity to explore areas of the college not typically accessible during general university open days, providing a more authentic insight into student life at Cambridge.

The visit also included a dedicated session on the Cambridge interview process. Delivered by experienced admissions staff and interviewers, the talk offered valuable guidance on what applicants can expect during interviews and provided practical advice to help students prepare effectively.

Following lunch, students embarked on a walking tour of the city of Cambridge, visiting a number of historic colleges, including Trinity Hall and Queens' College. During the tour, students were able to see notable landmarks such as the famous Mathematical Bridge while learning more about the university's rich history and collegiate system.

The day concluded back at Jesus College, where students enjoyed dinner before participating in a question-and-answer session with college fellows. This proved to be a particularly valuable opportunity, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of the admissions process, student experience, and academic expectations at one of the world's leading universities.

Overall, the visit provided Year 13 students with an invaluable insight into life at Cambridge University. The experience enhanced their understanding of the application process, strengthened their confidence as prospective applicants, and inspired them to pursue ambitious higher education goals.

Careers Fair 2026 

QPCS held its second Careers Fair on 29 January 2026, providing an invaluable opportunity for students in Years 10–13 and their parents to explore a wide range of post-QPCS pathways, including apprenticeships, employment, and higher education.

Over 30 organisations attended the event, including universities such as Sussex, Lancaster, SOAS, and the University of the Arts, alongside a diverse range of employers representing sectors including investment banking, construction, and the armed forces. This gave students and families the opportunity to engage directly with professionals and gain first-hand insight into a variety of career and education pathways.

The event also featured a series of breakout sessions covering key topics such as Life at University, Apprenticeships, Applying to Competitive Universities (including Oxbridge), and Life Beyond QPCS. Several sessions were delivered by QPCS alumni, who shared their experiences and advice with current students.

In total, approximately 250 students and parents attended the fair. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many parents commenting that the event broadened their understanding of the wide range of opportunities available after QPCS and helped them better support their child's future aspirations.

Overall, the Careers Fair was a highly successful event that significantly enhanced awareness of post-16 and post-18 pathways. It supported informed decision-making, strengthened engagement with future opportunities, and encouraged students to consider a broad range of progression routes beyond school.