Careers
Whether you already know what career you want, or not, now is the time to start planning. These pages will give you advice and resources, so you can start thinking about what happens after school.
Here are our fantastic careers team. Feel free to contact them by email or ring the school on 0115 9652495.

Section 1 - Careers
Inspiring Futures at Colonel Frank Seely Academy
At Colonel Frank Seely Academy, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to explore their ambitions, discover their strengths, and build a future filled with purpose and possibility. Our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme begins in Year 7 and continues through to Sixth Form, ensuring a seamless journey of career development for every learner.
By the time our students leave at the end of Year 11 or Year 13, they will have developed the skills, attributes and confidence needed to make informed choices about their next steps. We empower them to pursue career pathways that reflect their individual interests, talents and aspirations — enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential.
Gatsby Benchmarks
Our careers provision is guided by the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring high-quality and consistent experiences across all year groups:

- (Benchmark 1) A stable careers programme that is regularly reviewed and shaped by student feedback and employer engagement.
- (Benchmark 2) Access to up-to-date labour market information (LMI) and future study options, helping students make informed, forward-thinking decisions.
- (Benchmark 3) Tailored advice and guidance to meet the needs of each learner, including targeted support for vulnerable or under-represented groups.
- (Benchmark 4) Curriculum links to careers, enabling students to understand how their classroom learning connects to real-world opportunities.
- (Benchmark 5 & 6) Meaningful encounters with employers and further/higher education, through inspirational speakers, visits, and themed events that broaden horizons.
- (Benchmark 7) Workplace experiences and opportunities to develop employability skills, preparing students for the realities and responsibilities of employment.
- (Benchmark 8) Access to independent and impartial guidance from a dedicated Careers Advisor, supporting every student in planning their personal career journey.
Our Key Careers-related Memberships and Partnerships:
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Career Development Framework
The Career Development Institute has identified the six career development skills that people need to have positive careers.
These six skills are the learning areas that career development programmes and interventions should focus on. Colonel Frank Seely Academy uses the New Career Development Framework to help design and implement our careers programme.

Come and find us:
Our CEIAG programme is brought to life through a rich variety of learning experiences — from engaging PSHE sessions and employer encounters to university visits and apprenticeship talks. Each opportunity is designed to raise aspirations, encourage curiosity, and build confidence.
At Colonel Frank Seely Academy, we are proud to nurture ambitious, well-informed young people who are ready to take their next step with clarity and conviction.
For further information about our careers provision or to speak with a member of our Careers Team, please get in touch — we’d be delighted to support you.
Careers Leader - Ms A Pears– a.pears@cfsacademy.org.uk
Link Careers SLT - Mrs G Evans – g.evans@cfsacademy.org.uk
Link Governor - Mr P Howe – p.howe@cfsacademy.org.uk
The Redhill Academy Trust provides qualified career guidance services via:
Miss Y Moon – Careers Advisor - y.moon@cfsacademy.org.uk
Section 2 - Careers Education Key Documents
Section 3 - Exploring Your Skills and Interests
Websites
- Unifrog - The universal destinations platform - Explore your skills, interests and strengths, discover careers that match them, and make informed decisions about your future pathways.
- Skills and Qualities - BBC Bitesize - - Explore your strengths, skills and personal qualities to help identify suitable careers.
- Take the Buzz Quiz - A quick quiz to discover careers and subjects that could suit your interests.
- Discover your skills and careers - National Careers Service - Identify your skills and explore careers that match them.
- Take the Careers Quiz - What job could you do? - Take a short quiz to find out which careers could be a good fit for you.
- What job should I do? - Wheel of Strengths (Barclays Life Skills) Discover your strengths and see how they can relate to different careers.
- Employability Skills, what do you mean? - MyPath Careeers Resources - Learn about the key skills employers look for and how to develop them.
Section 4 - Career Resources Websites
Websites
- Unifrog - The universal destinations platform - Explore career pathways, research opportunities, develop understanding of the world of work, and make informed decisions about your future.
- Explore careers - National Careers Service - Search hundreds of careers and find information about entry requirements, skills and salaries.
- Jobs that use... - Careers (BBC Bitesize) - Explore different careers based on the subjects and skills you enjoy.
- Job sectors - Prospects.ac.uk Explore career sectors and find out about jobs, skills and opportunities within each industry.
Videos and Podcasts
- MyPath - Youtube - Watch careers videos, advice and insights to help you explore your options.
- Careers - The Bitesize Careers Podcast (BBC Bitesize) - Listen to career advice, stories and insights from different industries.
- How labour market information (LMI) can help you make career decisions - Explore Labour Market Information (LMI) to find out about career prospects, salaries, job opportunities, future demand, working hours and the skills and qualifications needed for different jobs.
- Explore local statistics - ONS - Explore information and statistics about your local area such as employment, population, housing, health and the economy, helping you understand more about where you live and the opportunities available locally.
Section 5 - Post-16 Pathways
Websites
- Post 16 options | National Careers Service - Explore your options after Year 11, including college, sixth form, apprenticeships and training.
- Careers Advice and Post 16 Learning Options | Disability Rights UK - Explore post-16 options and careers advice for young people with disabilities.
- Resources - Amazing Apprenticeships - Find helpful resources and information about apprenticeships.
Videos and Podcasts
- Events - Amazing Apprenticeships - Find apprenticeship events, webinars and opportunities to learn more.
- CDI Technical Education Programme: Post 16 Pathways - Learn more about technical education and Post-16 study options.
Section 6 - Higher Education
Websites
- Further and higher education, skills and vocational training - GOV.UK - Find official information about education, skills, qualifications and training.
- Choose your future | UCAS - Explore university courses, applications and your options after sixth form or college.
- Complete University Guide - University Rankings, Guides and Courses - Compare universities and courses using rankings, guides and useful information.
- Compare the Best University Degrees Courses UK | Whatuni - Search and compare university courses, institutions and student experiences.
- University events and resources for schools, parents and students | UniTasterDays - Find university events, taster sessions and resources.
- Home | NGTU - Explore alternatives to university, including apprenticeships and career opportunities.
- The Apprenticeship Guide listing all apprenticeships available - Explore different apprenticeships and find out what they involve.
- Higher & Degree Apprenticeships | Amazing Apprenticeships - Explore 950+ Higher and Degree apprenticeships in the Higher & Degree Vacancy listing.
Videos and Podcasts
- The Uni Guide Podcast for students, parents and schools | UniTasterDays - Listen to advice and guidance about university and student life.
- University subject guide videos – watch impartial guides to hundreds of courses | UniTasterDays - Watch videos exploring different university subjects and courses.
- Apprentice Story Films - Amazing Apprenticeships - Discover the amazing world of apprenticeships through the collection of short Apprentice Story films.
- Events - Amazing Apprenticeships – Build your confidence and knowledge around apprenticeships, including how to find opportunities, where to search, and how to apply successfully.
Section 7 - Information for Parents and Carers
Websites
- Parent Blog | Practical Tips and Advice for Parents of Teens - Practical advice and guidance to help parents support teenagers with education and careers.
- Parent - Amazing Apprenticeships - Find information and advice to help parents understand apprenticeships.
- Sign up for our parent newsletter | UCAS - Sign up for useful updates, advice and guidance about university choices.
- Careers Advice for Parents | Youth Employment UK - Guidance to help parents support young people with careers and employment.
- University guidance and resources for parents and carers – including events and guides | UniTasterDays - Access university guidance, events and resources for parents and carers.
- Student finance: how to apply: Household income - GOV.UK - Find official information about student finance and how household income affects applications.
Videos and Podcasts
- The Parent Perspective - Amazing Apprenticeships - Hear advice and experiences from parents supporting young people into apprenticeships.
- UCAS Parents' Podcast | UCAS - Advice and guidance for parents supporting university applications.
- UCAS Parents' Podcast - Careers of the future - YouTube - Explore future careers and the changing world of work.
- Advice for disabled students and students with SEND | UCAS - Explore the range of support students can access to help them succeed with their studies, day-to-day activities, travel, and lifestyle.
Section 8 - Industry Experience and Networking Opportunities
Websites
- Notts Work Experience Hub - Find work experience opportunities and information across Nottinghamshire.
- Cadets | Nottinghamshire Police - Explore the Police Cadet programme and develop valuable skills and experience.
- Find a Detachment | Join Now | Army Cadets UK - Find your local Army Cadet detachment and discover opportunities to develop skills and confidence.
- Royal Air Force Air Cadets | RAF Air Cadets - Take part in activities, challenges and experiences while developing new skills.
- Cadets Aged 11-17 | St John Ambulance - Develop first aid, teamwork and leadership skills through volunteering.
- Sea Cadets Is A Different Kind of Adventure - Get involved in adventure, teamwork and practical activities through Sea Cadets.
- Volunteering | nottinghamcvs.co.uk - Search for volunteering opportunities with local organisations.
- Volunteering | Nottinghamshire County Council - Explore volunteering opportunities across Nottinghamshire.
- Volunteering and Activities - Nottingham City Council - Find local volunteering, activities and opportunities in Nottingham.
Section 9 - Virtual Opportunities
Websites
- Gain Virtual Work Experience. Earn certificates - 100% free! | Springpod - Complete free virtual work experience programmes and earn certificates.
- Future Finder - Futures For All - Explore virtual experiences and opportunities to discover different careers.
- Online Work Experience | Young People | Barclays LifeSkills - Access online work experience and activities to develop employability skills.
- NHS Healthcare Careers Virtual Work Experience - Allied Healthcare Mentor - Explore healthcare careers through virtual work experience programmes.
- Virtual Work Experiences | UCAS - Explore virtual work experience opportunities linked to different careers and subjects.
- Free virtual job simulations and career prep | Forage - Try free virtual job simulations created by leading employers.
- Virtual Work Experience Packages | CEC Resource Directory - Find virtual work experience packages and careers resources.
- Explore Work Experience - Youth Employment UK - Explore work experience opportunities and resources for young people.
- FutureLearn: Online Courses and Degrees from Top Universities - Explore free and paid online courses from universities and other education providers.
Section 10 - Personal Career Guidance
For useful information on personal career guidance, please see the attached document “Personal Career Guidance” It explains what personal guidance is, what to expect, and much more. This guide is designed to help students and parents understand how personalised support can assist in making informed career choices and planning for the future.
To help students explore their post-16 education options, we have created a detailed booklet titled “Post-16 Information Booklet 2025-2026”. It provides guidance on the different pathways, application advice, and next steps. This resource is designed to support students in making informed decisions about their future education and career options, while also helping parents understand the opportunities available.
Miss Y Moon RCDP – y.moon@cfsacademy.org.uk
Section 11 - Teachers
Teachers can find useful career-related resources linked to their curriculum area on the My Learning, My Future resources page.
These resources help subject staff to:
- Highlight the relevance of their subject to future careers and opportunities
- Support students to understand pathways from each subject to future careers and opportunities
- Highlight to students how they are developing essential skills in each subject
- Embed careers in curriculum teaching and learning
- Identify extracurricular and employer engagement opportunities to enhance engagement in subject areas.
Click on links below for your subject area.
My Learning My Future: Art and Design
My Learning My Future: English
My Learning My Future: Food and Nutrition
My Learning My Future: Geography
My Learning My Future: History
My Learning My Future: Media Studies
My Learning My Future: MFL/Languages
My Learning My Future: Psychology
My Learning My Future: Sociology
My Learning My Future: Science
My Learning My Future: Biology
My Learning My Future: Chemistry
My Learning My Future: Physics
My Learning My Future: Design Technology
My Learning My Future: Computer Science/IT
My Learning My Future: Business Studies
Section 12 - Alumni
Our school would like to establish links with the local community and there is no better way of doing this than through ex–students.
It is well known that young people identify better with others who have been through the same experiences as themselves. You will be able to bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience from different professional fields to help support the development of our current pupils.
You will then be able to join the association of former pupils who, like yourselves, share the same values, memories, and the desire to help today’s students achieve their goals in the future.
We are particularly keen to hear from alumni who can help link our subject-related curriculum in the classroom to the world of work/employment. This could include visiting a class and running or supporting a lesson, for example.
If you would like to be part of our campaign and share your story with our current students, please complete the form below:




