National Careers Week 2025

This week is National Careers Week, focussing on careers guidance and resources in education across the UK in order to support young people to develop awareness and excitement about possible pathways.

During this week, we also wanted to share with you the recent experiences of our Year 13 Business BTEC students who have recently all spent a week on work experience.  Preparation for, and completion of, the week placement supports one of the Business BTEC assessed units. Students are also required to review their placement, evaluating the ways in which work experience supports future career aspirations.

The placements are organised by the West Berkshire Education and Business Partnership, who conduct interviews with the students to identify their career interests before identifying a suitable placement. Our Year 13  were supported by some brilliant local organisations including Arlington Arts, Berkshire Renewable Energy, Charter Travel, Group 1 Ford Automotive, Honesty Group, Jones Robinson, Kerridge Commercial Systems, Natwest Bank, Reading, Spurcroft Primary School and Wokingham Waterside. Thank you to everyone who has supported these important placements.

This is just some of the great feedback from our Year 13s:

“I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience at Group 1 Ford in Newbury. During my time there, I made several account reviews appointments, which allowed me to learn the ins and outs of the business. Additionally, I enjoyed the social interactions and built relationships within the team. Their appreciation for my efforts led to an exciting offer for a role as a trainee and then a sales executive once I leave school!  I had a very positive experience at the dealership and it helped confirm that is what I want to do once I have left Sixth Form.” – Josh

“I went to Spurcroft Primary School for the week for my work experience, which I really enjoyed. I spent the week with a mixed Year 3/4 class called Beech class. I observed the teacher and helped children to plan stories, understand fractions, learn about the digestive system and make models in art. I also listened to them read. On top of helping out in the classroom, I also supported preparation of lessons, made a display and put up children’s work. My favourite thing that I did during the placement was working with children to understand each lesson. I found this very rewarding especially when children started to understand things which they had previously found difficult and were proud of. Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Spurcroft and this has helped me to understand what I would like to do in the future.” – Ellie

“I felt very welcome at the Honesty Bakers and Makers. I was working in both the bakery and kitchen to allow me to experience both sides of the production. I found it interesting being on the other side of the business and seeing what the customers do not, and how the food is then taken to the different coffee shops and sold. I took on many tasks during my work experience including making many different types of sandwiches, 8kg of coleslaw, soups and sausage rolls all in the space of two days. In addition, in the bakery, making a range of cakes and treats, one of the tasks is to crack 200 eggs and make different types of icing. The workers made me feel like part of the team and valued during my week.” – Mollie

“I went to Jones Robinson in Newbury, which is their lead office in the UK. I got the chance to see how the work of each department, from admin to marketing and sales, work together to produce a seamless experience for clients, which I found particularly fascinating. I also enjoyed speaking to colleagues about their career, which helps shape ideas of mine. Overall, it was a beneficial and good experience”. – Freddie

“I enjoyed talking to the teams of people at Kerridge Commercial System. I was able to help fix bugs in the code and complete testing which is something I am very interested In. Overall I thought it was an amazing experience.” – Ashton

The events we will be running for students to celebrate National Careers Week include:

• Look out for posters on classroom doors – you might be surprised by the former careers of some of your teachers!
• A careers quiz. The link to the quiz will be in the student briefing. There will be a prize.
• A display of information posters and resources in the school Library for students to explore.
• The Careers Adviser, Charlotte, will also be in the Library on Thursday lunchtime for a drop-in session for any year group.

On 19 March, another Destinations Fair is also coming to St Bart’s. This time for our Year 12s,  which will be happening on 19 March for all Year 12 students. Organisations confirmed as attending include AWE, Barratt Homes, Basingstoke College of Technology, Gardner Leader, Jones Robinson, Kerridge Commercial Systems, NHS Radiography, Oxford Brookes University, Portsmouth University, Reading College, Royal Holloway, University Centre Newbury, University Centre Sparsholt, University of Reading, University of Winchester and Vodafone. If you work for, or know of, a post 18 provider who would be interested in attending, please contact dseward@stbarts.co.uk