At Millais, we recognise the importance of providing a comprehensive and inspiring careers programme that prepares every student for success beyond school.
Our aim is to equip students with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to make informed decisions about their future education, training and career pathways.
Through a carefully planned programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance, students develop employability skills, explore a wide range of opportunities, and gain an understanding of the pathways available to them after GCSEs and beyond. We believe that every student should be empowered to make confident choices about their future, supported by experiences that broaden aspirations and raise ambitions.
Our careers programme is designed to be stable, structured and responsive to the needs of individual students. Careers education is embedded throughout school life, including within our Personal Development curriculum, and is enhanced through encounters with employers, further and higher education providers, workplace experiences and access to impartial careers guidance.
Our Commitment to Excellence
The careers programme at Millais is built around the Gatsby Benchmarks, recognised nationally as the gold standard for careers education. These benchmarks ensure that students receive high-quality careers guidance and meaningful experiences that help them prepare for their next steps.
The Gatsby Benchmarks
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
We regularly review and evaluate our careers provision to ensure it remains effective, relevant and ambitious for all students.
Working in Partnership
We are committed to developing strong partnerships with employers, training providers, colleges, universities and community organisations to enrich the opportunities available to our students. These partnerships help students gain valuable insights into the world of work and the wide range of pathways open to them.
We welcome support from parents and carers, employers, colleges, universities and other organisations who would like to contribute to our careers programme through talks, workshops, workplace visits, mentoring, work experience opportunities or other forms of engagement. Please see Employer and Provider Involvement tab for more information.
Careers Information and Resources
Information about careers education at Millais, upcoming opportunities and events, as well as resources and guidance for students, parents, carers, employers and education providers can be found in the tabs below.
Contact Us
For further information about Careers and Guidance at Millais, or if you would like to support our careers programme, please contact our named Careers Lead:
Careers Leader: Mrs Caroline Jones
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01403 254932 ext. 2079
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Programme (CEIAG)
YEARS 7-11
External Careers Adviser Interviews are available to targeted pupils and upon request.
This offer is communicated to all students and parents in Year 11.
Year 9 students receive an SLT Options interview in Year 9 to discuss Options to ensure that students are thinking through the range of choices available, and reflecting on their own student learning profile, ambitions and likes.
Year 11 students receive an Aspirations Interview at the start of the post 16 application process to aid in decision making. This process also ensure that targeted interventions can be planned if needed.
CAREERS DROP-IN
Available during breaktime and lunchtime by arrangement with the Careers Lead.
Support for Employers
As part of our careers provision at Millais School, we are keen to work with employers to support our students in preparation for future careers and employment. Our aim is to help all our students reach their maximum potential and to ensure that they move on to their destination of choice. With the help of employers, we can ensure our students are fully informed about their next steps and what is available to them beyond Millais.
There are many ways employers can support us. Below are just a few of the ways you could help:
- offering talks to students interested in a particular sector or area of industry
- delivering an assembly to students on a particular sector or area of industry to inform students about the world of work
- offering interview experience
- linking with a relevant Director of Learning in school curriculum areas and enabling visits to the workplace for a class , where it links with a topic being studied, or coming in to speak to a class to bring real world context to a particular topic
- helping to build our students' knowledge of employability skills and the workplace
- hosting a stall at our Industry Meet and Greet Event
- Hosting a stall at our STEM fair
If you are an employer and would like to support us in any of the above or in other ways, please email Caroline Jones – [email protected].
For further reading on the benefits of employer engagement please review the links below:
- Education and Employers - Employer engagement in education: insights from international evidence for effective practice and future research
- Education and Employers - Improving the life chances of children and young people by connecting volunteers from the world of work with schools
- The Careers and Enterprise Company - Careers in Context 2020: Can Do Guide for Employers | CEC Resource Directory (careersandenterprise.co.uk)
Provider Access
Our Provider Access Policy provides all the required information to enable providers wishing to visit the school for the purposes of sharing information directly with students. This may include providers of technical education qualifications and apprenticeships, FE & Sixth Form Colleges, HE institutions and employers.
Policy Statement on Provider Access - scroll to 'Policy Statement on Provider Access'
As part of our commitment to providing impartial and comprehensive careers guidance, we invite a wide range of post-16 providers into school to ensure students are aware of the full range of pathways available to them. This includes sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeship and training providers, and other technical education providers. Students also benefit from hearing directly from former students and university representatives, who share their experiences and insights into further education, training and employment. These encounters help students to broaden their horizons, challenge stereotypes and make informed decisions about their future. Opportunities to engage with providers and alumni are delivered through Year 10 Futures Thinking Days, Year 11 assemblies and our annual Post-16 Life Beyond Millais event, enabling students to explore the many exciting routes available after Year 11.
What is Labour Market Information?
Labour Market Information (LMI) helps students, parents/carers and staff understand the world of work. It provides up-to-date information about employment trends, growth industries, salaries, skills shortages, qualifications and future career opportunities at local, regional and national levels. LMI enables young people to make informed decisions about their education, training and career pathways.
By exploring LMI, students can:
- Identify careers that match their interests and strengths.
- Understand which sectors are growing and where future job opportunities may be available.
- Learn about the qualifications, skills and experience required for different occupations.
- Compare salary expectations and progression routes.
- Make informed choices about GCSEs, post-16 study, apprenticeships, higher education and employment.
Why is LMI Important?
The labour market is constantly changing due to advances in technology, economic developments and employer needs. Access to reliable labour market information helps students understand these changes and prepare for future careers. High-quality careers education should be informed by current labour market information so that young people can make realistic and aspirational choices.
National Labour Market Information Resources
We encourage students and families to explore the following trusted sources of careers and labour market information:
- National Careers Service – Explore Careers
- LMI for All
- LMI for All – Careerometer - You can also explore data using our widgets, Careerometer and Skillsometer. Compare jobs and salaries https://www.lmiforall.org.uk/widget/
- Skills for Careers: https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/
- Discover Uni
- Prospects
- iCould
- UCAS Career Finder
These websites provide information on occupations, qualifications, salaries, employment trends and progression routes.
West Sussex and Local Labour Market Information
Students interested in local opportunities can explore labour market information specific to West Sussex and the South East:
- Get Career Confident – West Sussex site aimed at teenagers:
- Sussex Learning Network
- Employment and Skills data dashboard
- Inclusive LMI
- Top 10 jobs in West Sussex
- Nomis Official Labour Market Statistics
- Apprenticeships.gov.uk
These resources provide information on local employers, employment sectors, skills needs, apprenticeship opportunities and regional economic trends.
Supporting Career Planning
Labour Market Information is used throughout our careers programme to help students develop their career awareness, explore future opportunities and make well-informed decisions about their next steps. We encourage students and families to regularly review the resources above to stay informed about changing employment trends and emerging career opportunities.
Careers in the Curriculum (Gatsby Benchmark 4)
At Millais, we believe that every subject has an important role to play in helping students understand the links between their learning and future career opportunities. Through our commitment to Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers, all curriculum areas are responsible for delivering meaningful careers-related learning that helps students recognise the value and relevance of the subjects they study.
Students are encouraged to explore how knowledge, skills and qualifications gained in each subject can be applied in a wide range of occupations and employment sectors. Careers education is embedded throughout the curriculum and may be delivered through classroom activities, homework tasks, research projects and discussions about career pathways linked to specific topics of study.
Departments may also enhance careers learning by:
- Inviting employers, industry professionals and alumni to speak with students.
- Organising workshops and employer-led activities.
- Incorporating careers-focused projects and challenges into schemes of learning.
- Highlighting labour market information and future employment trends.
- Embedding careers learning within educational visits, fieldwork and school trips.
- Showcasing the wide range of progression routes available through different subject areas.
By making these connections explicit, we aim to help students understand the relevance of their education, broaden their aspirations and make informed decisions about their future pathways.
Careers Resources for Parents and Carers
Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting career conversations at home. The following websites provide useful information about careers, qualifications and future opportunities:
- National Careers Service – Explore Careers
- Unifrog
- Careerpilot
- LMI for All – Careerometer
- UCAS Careers Advice
- Prospects
- iCould
- Amazing Apprenticeships
- Success at School
- BBC Bitesize Careers
We encourage families to explore these resources together and discuss how students' interests, strengths and favourite subjects may connect to future education, training and employment opportunities.
Post-16 Destinations Data tracks what young people go on to do after finishing their secondary education (Key Stage 4) or post-16 studies (Key Stage 5, usually aged 16–18). It records their transition into further education, higher education, apprenticeships, employment, or training.
In the UK, this data serves three primary functions:
- Accountability: The government publishes official Destination Measures showing the percentage of students who successfully sustain participation in education or work for at least two terms (six months) after leaving school or college.
- Evaluating Careers Guidance: Schools and colleges use the data to measure the success of their career programmes and to ensure students are transitioning into stretching and positive pathways.
- Local Authority Tracking: Local councils use the information to monitor young people and prevent them from becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), ensuring everyone is meeting the legal requirement to stay in learning until the age of 18.
Millais data is very pleasing, and shows the success of our students in the post 16 transition phase.
Millais Post 16 Activity Report 2025 - 2026
Please go to our dedicated GCSE Options section:
As part of our commitment to providing high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG), we use Unifrog, an award-winning online destinations platform that helps students make informed decisions about their future education and career pathways.
All students in Years 7–11 have access to Unifrog, enabling them to explore a wide range of opportunities and develop the knowledge and skills needed to plan their next steps with confidence.
What is Unifrog?
Unifrog is a comprehensive online platform designed to support young people in exploring their interests, researching career options, and making informed choices about their future. Each student has their own personal account, providing access to a wealth of resources, interactive tools and guidance materials tailored to their stage of education.
Through Unifrog, students can access a variety of video content, articles, quizzes and planning tools, including:
Quizzes and Self-Discovery (Years 7–13)
Students can complete a range of quizzes to help them identify their interests, strengths, personality traits, preferred working environments and key skills. These insights can support future subject and career choices.
Exploring Pathways (Years 7–11)
Students can research careers, employment sectors, subjects and qualifications, as well as explore university courses, apprenticeships, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), wider reading materials and free webinars.
Recording Achievements and Experiences (Years 7–11)
Students can build a personal record of their achievements by logging extracurricular activities, examples of skills development and participation in careers-related events and activities organised by the school.
Searching for Opportunities (Years 10–11)
Students can search for and compare university courses in the UK and overseas, explore apprenticeship opportunities, further education courses, scholarships, bursaries and enrichment activities.
Application Support (Years 11–11)
Unifrog provides practical tools to help students prepare high-quality applications, including CV and cover letter builders, personal statement guidance and application tracking features. Students can also record and review their post-16 and post-18 plans.
Accessing Unifrog
Students receive a welcome email containing a link to activate their account and create a password. Once registered, they can access Unifrog using their email address and password from any computer, tablet or smartphone.
We encourage parents and carers to explore the platform alongside their child. This can help facilitate conversations about future aspirations and provide valuable support as students consider their next steps.
Parent and Carer Access
Parents and carers can also create their own Unifrog account, allowing them to explore the platform and access information about career pathways, education options and opportunities available to young people. This enables families to support informed decision-making throughout their child's career journey. If you wish to open a family Unifrog account, please contact [email protected]
Year 10 Work Experience
Work experience is a valuable part of our careers programme, providing Year 10 students with the opportunity to develop employability skills, gain insight into the workplace and explore potential career interests. By spending time with an employer, students can build confidence, improve communication and teamwork skills, and gain a greater understanding of the expectations and opportunities within different industries.
We expect all Year 10 students to complete a five-day work experience placement as part of their personal development and careers education. For the 2027 cohort, Work Experience Week will take place from Monday 14th June to Friday 18th June 2027.
To support students and families with the process, a Year 10 Work Experience Information Evening for parents and carers will be held in November 2026 (date to be confirmed), when the programme will be formally launched and guidance on securing a placement will be provided.
Information relating to the 2026 Work Experience programme can be found below. This section will be updated with information and resources for the 2027 cohort once they become available.
Please see below for the information about your choices and options, open evenings and applications:
Millais Post 16 Transition Checklist
Post 16 Letter and Transition Event - Tuesday 30th September 2025
Year 11 students are supported through the process of Post 16 decision making through:
PD lessons / assemblies / tutor time - In Year 11 students will continue with their Post 16 choices and careers unit of work during September/ October. Lesson material will focus on Post 16 providers and available courses. In addition, time will be given over to support students with personal statement writing for their college/ apprenticeship application forms.
‘Aspiration Interviews’ - There will be one-to-one interviews for every member of Year 11 October - December to ensure students feel fully supported as they embark on the application process.
External careers advice appointments – This forms part of the package of support on offer. Students will need to sign up for these once advertised.
Post 16 ‘Life Beyond Millais’ event – Post-16 providers are invited in to host stalls and give presentations to better assist students in their Post 16 choices.
Additional Support:
Year 11 TEAMs page - ‘Post 16 and Careers’ channel. Information regarding virtual work experience / online conferences / in person work experience opportunities, apprenticeships, as well as Post 16 provider information is regularly loaded here. Please ensure that your child looks at this to discover what is going on, and what they wish to engage with.
Unifrog - Each Year 11 student has access to Unifrog. Unifrog will be utilised during Year 11 Post 16 PD lessons and preparation for post 16 transition (it is also very helpful for Post 18 thinking too). Your child is obviously at liberty to explore this site at home.
If you have any queries relating to the above, please do not hesitate to contact the school on the Contact Us page.
A useful West Sussex site aimed at teenagers is: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/your-space/education/your-options-at-16/
What Can You Do After Year 11?
By law, all young people in England must continue in education or training until they turn 18. After completing Year 11, there are several pathways available, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your interests, strengths and future career aspirations.
The main routes are:
• Continue in full-time education at a Sixth Form, College or other training provider
• Apply for an apprenticeship
• Work or volunteer while undertaking part-time education or training
Continuing in Full-Time Education
Many students choose to stay in full-time education after Year 11. This could be at a Sixth Form, Further Education College, University Technical College (UTC) or a specialist training provider.
There is a wide range of qualifications available to suit different learning styles and career goals, including:
• A Levels
• T Levels
• BTEC Qualifications / AAQs / TOQs
When considering your next steps, it is important to research the courses on offer and think about how they link to your future ambitions. Attending open evenings and taster events can help you learn more about each provider, their facilities, support services, entry requirements and application processes.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship allows you to earn a salary while gaining qualifications and valuable workplace experience. Apprentices are employed by a company and spend time both working and completing training linked to their chosen role.
Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of industries, including engineering, healthcare, construction, digital technology, business, finance and many more. Opportunities exist at different levels, making apprenticeships suitable for a variety of academic backgrounds.
Entry requirements vary depending on the employer and apprenticeship level, so it is important to check individual vacancy details carefully.
For further information, please visit the Apprenticeships tab on our website.
Traineeships and Pre-Employment Programmes
For some young people, a traineeship or similar pre-employment programme can provide a useful stepping stone into work or an apprenticeship.
These programmes are designed to help learners develop their employability skills, confidence, literacy and numeracy while gaining practical work experience. They can be particularly beneficial for those who need additional support before moving into employment or further training.
Programmes typically include workplace experience, skills development and support with progression into apprenticeships, further education or employment.
Employment with Part-Time Training
Another option is to enter employment, become self-employed or undertake voluntary work, provided you continue to participate in recognised education or training alongside your role.
Young people choosing this pathway must complete a minimum amount of guided learning each year. This training can be delivered in a variety of ways, including day-release courses, evening classes or distance learning programmes.
This route allows you to gain valuable workplace experience while continuing to develop your skills and qualifications.
See below for careers information and useful websites:
General Careers Information:
Career Pilot: https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/
National Careers Service website provides careers advice and information on a wide range of jobs, training course resources and funding. For more information please visit: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
Icould: Explore - icould
Unifrog Careers Platform – all Millais students have access: Unifrog is committed to independence and impartiality. We show students everything, and the platform gives them the tools to make their own choices. Linking curriculum learning to careers. The Careers Library can be searched by school subjects, and the Subjects Library gives career and pathways information for each subject: https://www.unifrog.org/
West Sussex young person support: Careers guidance - West Sussex County Council and https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/jobs/jobs-and-careers-support-for-young-people/
GCSE focus:
Career Pilot: https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/your-choices-at-14
GCSE Requirements for Medicine: https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/choosing-a-medical-school/gcse-requirements-for-medicine/
Studential: https://www.studential.com/student-underground/are-your-gcse-options-important and https://www.studential.com/GCSEs/choosing-your-GCSE-subject-options
Success at School: https://successatschool.org/advicedetails/508/What-are-my-GCSE-Options%3F
Post 16 focus:
Bright Knowledge: https://www.brightknowledge.org/education/what-subjects-should-i-choose-at-a-level
Career Pilot: Careerpilot : Get information : A Levels : Why choose A Levels, what's involved?
Icould: Choices after your GCSEs: how to decide what to do next
The https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses can also be a useful resource, but please note that their data is not always up-to-date.
Russell Group: Informed Choices | Informed Choices
UCAS: Understand what A-levels are & what you can do with them
Which? University has developed a new A Level Explorer tool to help students discover the full range of degrees different A Level subjects can lead to. In one step, they can see what students taking similar A-level combinations went on to study. To make things easier, results are organised into ‘best', ‘close' and ‘unexpected' matches - they might discover degree subjects they never even considered!
Apprenticeships:
Army Careers: Find Your Perfect Army Career - Find A Role | Army Jobs
Apprenticeships in Sussex: Apprenticeships In Sussex
Amazing Apprenticeships: https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/
Career Pilot: Careerpilot : Get information : Your choices at 16 : Apprenticeships
Gov. uk: To search and apply for an apprenticeship in England please go to: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
Jace Training: Home - Jace Training
Rate My Apprenticeship: Apprenticeships for 16-Year-Olds | Higherin
The Apprenticeship Guide: The Apprenticeship Guide listing all apprenticeships available
UCAS – degree apprenticeships: Apprenticeships | Learn About Apprenticeships And Find The Right One For You
University Hospitals Sussex: Apprenticeships - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
