Information for Parents & Carers

Within the academy your child will go through a tailored careers programme to support them with their next steps. As well as this, you can support them by a few simple things you can do at home:

What you can do to help

  • Have regular conversations with your child about what they want to do in the future
  • Encourage self-awareness with your child (what skills and qualities do they have/could they develop)
  • Help them to explore their options by researching a wide range of careers
  • Ask them about their 1-1 careers interview they will have in year 10 and what they talked about
  • Find out about entry requirements for sixth form, college and university courses or apprenticeships they are interested in
  • Keep an eye on changes in education, job trends and LMI (Labour Market Information).
  • Get in touch with the schools careers lead, Mr Wall, if you need further support for your child ([email protected])

Unifrog – Supporting Your Child’s Future

At our school we use Unifrog, an online careers platform that helps students explore their interests, research pathways, and make confident decisions about life after school.

What is Unifrog?

Unifrog brings together information about:

  • College and sixth form courses
  • Apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships
  • Universities and higher education
  • Careers and labour market information
  • CV building, personal statements, and application tools

Students use Unifrog during careers lessons and at home to record experiences, research options, and plan their next steps. It’s basically a digital sat nav for their future.

Parents can now create their own Unifrog account

Parents and guardians can now set up a parent account linked to their child’s profile. This allows you to:

  • See the options your child is exploring
  • Understand different post-16 and post-18 pathways
  • Access guides on apprenticeships, T Levels, and university
  • Support conversations at home about careers and choices

If the school has your email address linked to your child’s account, you can register here:
👉 https://www.unifrog.org/parents

Simply enter your email address or sign in using Google/Microsoft and follow the on-screen steps.

If you are unable to create an account, it may be because we do not yet have your email linked – please contact the academy and we can arrange this.

How we use Unifrog in school

We use Unifrog to:

  • Deliver careers lessons and activities across all year groups
  • Help students research realistic pathways based on interests and GCSE subjects
  • Record employer encounters, work experience, and skills development
  • Support applications to college, apprenticeships, and university
  • Track and evidence our careers programme in line with Gatsby Benchmarks

Students build a personal profile over time, creating a valuable record of achievements and experiences that can be used for applications and interviews.

Why it’s useful for families

Unifrog helps turn the confusing world of “What on earth do you want to do with your life?” into clear, manageable steps. With a parent account you can:

  • Talk more confidently about options
  • Understand entry requirements and deadlines
  • Help your child compare pathways side by side
  • Avoid the last-minute panic in Year 11 and Year 13!

If you have any questions about Unifrog or need support setting up your account, please contact our Careers Team at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a structured and progressive careers curriculum beginning in Year 7, continuing right through to Year 13. Our aim is to ensure every student gains the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to make informed decisions about their future.

Our careers programme includes:

  • Dedicated careers lessons and activities in form time and PSHE
  • Employer encounters and talks from professionals across a wide range of industries
  • Workplace visits to give students real insight into different working environments
  • Careers fairs and events with local and national employers, training providers and higher education institutions
  • One-to-one personal guidance interviews with a qualified careers advisor

The programme is built around the Gatsby Benchmarks and the CDI Framework, national standards that ensure careers education is meaningful, high-quality, and tailored to students’ needs.

We are especially committed to supporting students with SEND, EHCPs, or who face disadvantage—these students are prioritised for early and additional support to help them overcome barriers and explore all available opportunities.

➡️ You can explore our full careers programme, including year-by-year details, upcoming events and resources for families, on our main page.

All students are offered at least one personal guidance meeting by the end of Year 11, with priority given to those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), or those who are disadvantaged or at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

These meetings are designed to support each student’s individual aspirations, strengths and needs. Additional careers guidance sessions can be arranged where needed, especially for students who require more ongoing support to help them plan their next steps with confidence.

Parents and carers play a vital role in shaping young people’s career thinking. You don’t need to have all the answers — just showing interest and being part of the conversation makes a big difference. Here are some ways you can support your child:

  • Talk regularly about their interests, strengths, and future goals — even casual chats at the dinner table can spark ideas and motivation.
  • Explore options together using trusted platforms like Unifrog or the National Careers Service. These tools are packed with information on career pathways, university courses, apprenticeships, and more.
  • Attend open evenings, college taster days, or careers fairs with your child. Your presence can boost their confidence and help them ask the right questions.
  • Encourage them to reflect on in school, what matters to them, and what kind of lifestyle they’d like in future — this can help link their passions to possible careers.
  • Check in on key transition points, such as GCSE options, post-16 choices, and post-18 pathways. We’ll provide information, but your support helps it all click into place.

If you ever feel unsure, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate it without support. We’re always happy to talk through questions or concerns.

That’s completely normal — in fact, most students don’t have a clear career plan straight away, and that’s okay. Our careers programme is built to support exploration and gradually develop confidence and clarity over time.

Here’s how we help students find their way:

  • Careers lessons and activities start in Year 7 and continue through school, helping students understand their strengths, interests and values.
  • We expose students to a wide variety of careers through employer talks, workplace visits, and encounters with training providers and universities.
  • One-to-one guidance interviews give students personalised advice and help them weigh up their options.
  • Students can access platforms like Unifrog, where they can explore careers based on what they enjoy, log achievements, and compare different pathways (such as A-levels, apprenticeships, or vocational courses).
  • We encourage reflection and open-mindedness – students often discover new ambitions as they grow, and our job is to help them stay curious and informed.

The goal isn’t to have it all figured out at 15 — it’s to be ready to make good decisions, with support, options and confidence. And we’re with them every step of the way.

At the end of Year 11, students have several pathways available — and we’re here to help them choose the one that’s right for them. The best option will depend on their interests, strengths, and predicted grades, and we support each student in making a well-informed decision.

Students can progress to:

  • Sixth Form
    For those aiming to study A Levels or Level 3 vocational qualifications. This route is often suited to students with strong predicted GCSE grades who enjoy academic study and may be considering university. Although many sixth forms offer a balanced pathway where they can combine vocational study with academic subjects.
  • Further Education Colleges
    Colleges offer a wide range of BTECs, T Levels, and technical/vocational courses across different levels (from Entry Level to Level 3). These courses are often more hands-on and linked closely to specific career areas, such as health & social care, construction, digital media, or engineering.
  • Apprenticeships
    A great option for students who want to earn while they learn. Apprenticeships combine paid work with formal training, and are available at various levels depending on a student’s qualifications and career goals.
  • Specialist Training Providers
    These providers offer more focused or supported pathways, such as supported internships, traineeships, or tailored routes for students with additional learning needs. We work closely with families and support services to identify the best fit.

We provide:

  • 1:1 personal guidance interviews with a qualified careers advisor, tailored to students’ predicted grades, interests, and circumstances
  • Application workshops to support college, sixth form, or apprenticeship applications
  • Personal statement and CV writing support, whether for education or employment
  • Interview preparation sessions, including employer-led mock interviews
  • Ongoing access to Unifrog and other tools for researching and comparing options

Parents and carers are strongly encouraged to attend open evenings, taster events, and interviews with their child — your support can help boost their confidence and ensure they ask the right questions.

Absolutely. We take a proactive, personalised approach to supporting students with SEND or EHCPs. This includes:

  • Priority access to guidance interviews, with extra time and appropriate support.
  • Local provider visits to SEND-friendly and specialist post-16 options.
  • Use of visual aids, simplified resources, and differentiated materials in lessons and events. Our goal is to ensure every student has an appropriate, supported, and successful next step.

Yes. All students will have access to workplace experiences. This might not look like the typical model of a 5-day block, but will include a combination of virtual/hybrid work experience and visits to the workplace to have meaningful encounters with employers. This will be a valuable opportunity to:

  • Experience the world of work first-hand
  • Develop key employability skills
  • Explore career interests in a real-world setting

We provide:

  • Support to help students find placements that match their interests
  • Preparation sessions covering workplace expectations, health and safety, and communication skills
  • Follow-up activities to reflect on what they’ve learned and how it links to future goals

Some students may also access alternative or extended work placements, depending on individual needs.

We make it easy for parents and carers to stay informed. You can:

  • Visit our regularly updated Careers Programme page on the school website
  • Follow us on Instagram: @OSWBAFutures for live updates, opportunities, and photos from events
  • Look out for newsletters and letters home highlighting key dates and opportunities
  • Speak to your child’s Director/Head of Year or our Careers Leader with any questions

We share key info on: open evenings, deadlines for applications, employer events, and university/apprenticeship visits.

Some useful websites

The information on this page is reviewed annually. The next scheduled review is 01 September 2026.