Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance
We aim to ensure all students have suitable and high-quality work-related learning opportunities to equip them to meet the challenges of life in our fast-changing world. Up-to-date, relevant independent careers guidance and advice support this programme.
At Townsend Church of England School, we are committed to helping students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to make informed decisions about their future education, training and careers.
Our careers programme is supported through strong partnerships with Hertfordshire Services for Young People (SfYP) and the Careers & Enterprise Company’s Enterprise Adviser Network. We work closely with Enterprise Advisers from leading organisations, as well as local employers, businesses, colleges and universities, to provide students with valuable insights into the world of work.
Students benefit from a wide range of careers-related activities, including employer talks, workplace visits, mentoring, careers fairs, work experience, mock interviews, apprenticeship information, university guidance and personalised careers advice.
In Year 7, students take part in the following activities:
Work shadowing, Enrichment afternoon – use of Unifrog to build their own career profile, guest speakers, NHS trip, Herts Services for Young People, lunchtime drop-in, Learning and Achievement evening, Diversity Day, Parent Consultation evening, Anti-bullying week, Mental Health Awareness Day, Children In Need, Safer Internet Day, Creative and Performing Arts display, Geography Field Trip, Sports Day, School Show, Celebration of Achievement.
In Year 8, students take part in the following activities:
Guest speakers, NHS trip, use of careers.startprofile.com to update their own careers profile, Diversity Day, Herts Services for Young People lunchtime drop-in, Parent Consultation evening, Anti-bullying week, Mental Health Awareness Day, Children In Need, Safer Internet Day, Creative and Performing Arts display, The Children of Willesden Lane, Sports Day, School Show, Celebration of Achievement.
During Year 9, the emphasis is placed on students making sensible and informed choices of GCSE courses to support their aspirations. Following input from subject leaders and an Options Information Evening for students and parents/carers, students are guided into making appropriate choices for Key Stage 4. Students are encouraged to bear in mind possible pathways through all aspects of education, training or employment. Students take part in the following activities:
Options evening, Enrichment afternoon – World of Work – Careers enrichment afternoon, Battlefield Trip, Guest speakers, NHS trip, careers.startprofile.com to update their own careers profile, Diversity Day, Herts Services for Young People lunchtime drop-in, Parents Consultation evening, STEP work, Anti-bullying week, Mental Health Awareness Day, Children In Need, Safer Internet Day, Creative and Performing Arts display, The Children of Willesden Lane, Sports Day, School Show, Celebration of Achievement.
In Year 9 &10, students follow a programme to broaden and deepen their understanding of issues to do with the world of work, business, enterprise, and citizenship. In Year 10, all students are also prepared for a week of work experience in the summer.
Year 10 students take part in the following activities:
Enrichment afternoon – Careers Carousel, Work Experience week, Herts Services for Young People Interviews and lunchtime drop-in, Taster day at Oakland’s College, Guest speaker, NHS trip, Electronic file update, Duke of Edinburgh bronze expedition, Diversity Day, Parents consultation evening, Anti-bullying week, Mental Health Awareness Day, Children In Need, Safer Internet Day, Creative and Performing Arts, Sports Day, School Show, Celebration of Achievement.
During Year 11, students update their Curriculum Vitae in preparation for making applications. They also consider the various choices open to them at the end of Year 11, including further study, training, apprenticeships or employment. Students take part in the following activities:
Enrichment Day – Revision and Exam preparation, Guest speakers, NHS trip, Diversity Day, Study Support evening, National Apprenticeship Anti-bullying Week, Mental Health Awareness Day, Children In Need, Safer Internet Day, Creative and Performing Arts, Sports Day, School Show, Celebration of Achievement, Herts Services for Young People Interviews and lunchtime drop-in, Parents Consultation evening and work on CV and Personal Statement writing, Sixth form Induction evening, Study support and CV assembly, Revision and Exam preparation day, Creative and Performing Arts display, UCAS workshops.
Lessons continue into Years 12 and 13, where the programme focuses on planning for life after school, either for university, apprenticeships or employment in modern Britain. Advice and guidance provided is broad and comprehensive. It also includes support and practice with applications and mock interviews. Students are encouraged to use all of the valuable careers experience they have gained from younger years in seeking employment, further training, Apprenticeships, Further Education, or Higher Education.
Year 12 students take part in the following activities:
Enrichment Day – Revision and Exam preparation, Guest speakers, NHS trip, Diversity Day, Study Support evening, National Apprenticeship Anti-bullying Week, Mental Health Awareness Day, Children In Need, Safer Internet Day, Creative and Performing Arts, Sports Day, School Show, Celebration of Achievement, Herts Services for Young People Interviews and lunchtime drop-in, Parents Consultation evening and work on CV and Personal Statement writing, Sixth form Induction evening, Study support and CV assembly, Revision and Exam preparation day, Creative and Performing Arts display, UCAS workshops.
Year 13 students take part in the following activities:
Enrichment Day – Revision and Exam preparation, CV writing, Mock interview morning, Careers action planning workshop, Parents Consultation evening, NHS trip, Mentoring, STEM trip to KPMG, UCAS work shop, Diversity Day, Herts Services For Young People lunchtime drop in, School Shop, Army Careers Talk, Children in Need, Senior Citizen’s Party, Pop-up Peers, Mentoring, Safer Internet Day, Mental Health Awareness Day, Children In Need, Anti- bullying week, Revision and Exam preparation day, National Apprenticeship Show, Creative and Performing Arts display, Sports Day.
Get Involved
We value partnerships with employers, parents, carers and educators in helping our students explore future career opportunities.
If you are interested in delivering a careers talk, sharing your professional expertise, providing workplace insights, supporting interview preparation, offering work experience opportunities, or contributing to other careers-related activities, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please contact our Careers Lead, Mrs Kate Brooks, at admin@townsend.herts.sch.uk.
National Careers Service
Students aged 13 and over can access free careers information, advice and guidance through the National Careers Service.
Telephone: 0800 100 900
Text: 07766 413 219
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8.00 am to 10.00 pm
Students can also arrange a free callback from a National Careers Service adviser.


