Careers

At QEGS, our Careers Education programme is rooted in our core values: Question, Explore, Give, and Succeed. We believe that careers education is not just about future jobs — it’s about developing curious, proactive, and purposeful individuals who are equipped to thrive in a complex, ever-changing world.

Our intent is to provide a careers programme that is inclusive, inspiring, and deeply embedded in the personal development of every student from age 11 to 18.

• Question: We encourage students to be inquisitive about the world of work, to challenge assumptions, and to critically reflect on their own aspirations and skills. We nurture a mindset that values curiosity and continuous learning as essential tools for career success.
• Explore: Students are given opportunities to explore a broad range of career paths, educational routes, and employment sectors. Through meaningful encounters with employers, further and higher education providers, and real-world experiences, we help students discover what is possible — and what is right — for them.
• Give: Our careers programme promotes the importance of contribution — to school, community, and the wider world. We help students understand how their talents and choices can have a positive impact, and we foster values such as leadership, teamwork, service, and responsibility.
• Succeed: We are committed to enabling every student to achieve personal and professional success, whatever their starting point. By building employability skills, confidence, and independence, and providing personalised, impartial guidance, we ensure students leave QEGS ready to make informed choices and transition successfully into further education, training, or employment.

We align our provision with the Gatsby Benchmarks and the CDI Framework, ensuring that our careers education is ambitious, coherent, and responsive to the needs of all learners.

Careers Education at QEGS – What It Means for You

At QEGS, we want every student to feel confident about their future. Our Careers Education programme is here to help you discover your strengths, understand your options, and make informed choices about what you want to do after school.

Our school values – Question, Explore, Give, and Succeed – shape everything we do in careers education:

• Question: We’ll encourage you to ask big questions about your future. What are your interests? What kind of job might suit you? What do you need to get there? We’ll help you think deeply about what motivates you.
• Explore: You’ll get the chance to explore lots of different career paths, jobs, and opportunities. You’ll meet people from different industries, visit workplaces or universities, and learn about all the different routes you can take — whether that’s college, university, apprenticeships, or straight into work.
• Give: We’ll show you how your skills and passions can make a difference. You’ll learn how to work well with others, contribute to your community, and use your talents to help the world around you.
• Succeed: We want every one of you to succeed in your own way. Whether you’re aiming for a specific job, further education, or still deciding, we’ll support you with guidance, advice, and the tools you need to reach your goals.

Our careers programme will run throughout your time at school — from Year 7 to Year 13 — so that you’re ready to take your next steps with confidence.

Careers education prepares you for the world after school. This includes thinking about how you look after yourself as an adult, how you relate to other people and how you fit into society. We provide information, guidance and help with making decisions about the future to all students from Y9 upwards. This includes:

• Options for study up to age 16. (GCSEs, Vocational Courses etc.)
• Post-16 options including sixth form, college, apprenticeships, training and university study, and entry to a range of jobs and careers.

A provider wishing to request access should contact Ms K Morgan morgan@queenelizabeths.derbyshire.sch.uk or phone on 01335 343685 (11546).

Ms K Morgan: is available within school to provide information and advice about Post Year 11 and Post 6th Form Opportunities in addition to general information on career and study options. Miss Whieldon is also available to give support and advice to students in Years 10 & 12 trying to arrange Work Experience placements. Contact details: morgan@queenelizabeths.derbyshire.sch.uk or phone on 01335 343685 (11546).

Luminate Careers Advisors visit the school regularly to give advice and guidance to students about career options. If you would like to make an appointment with an advisor please ask your form tutor.

Mrs J Roper: can help to direct you to careers and study related information in the school library.

• National Careers Service (Job Profiles) https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
• I Could… (Career Ideas) https://icould.com/
• Careersbox Film Clips https://www.careersbox.co.uk/

Post 16 & 18 Options

• Apprenticeships https://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/
• UCAS (University courses & Information) https://www.ucas.ac.uk/
• Not going to Uni https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk