We enable our students to make well informed and ambitious choices about their future by providing them with access to the right information at the right time. We use with various tools and partners to fully prepare our students for the next stage in their education, employment or training. Careers is an integral part of the school curriculum and students gain a range of experiences, education, and guidance during their time at Matthew Arnold. The school is working towards the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Destination data for Matthew Arnold is highly positive at both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 with students making progression onto some outstanding universities and careers with our figures regularly being higher than both the Oxfordshire and National figures.
Careers Officer: Mrs Catherine Sorenson careers@maschool.org.uk
Labour Market Information including previous newsletter editions
In Year 8, students are introduced to one or more post-16 options, to encourage them to start thinking about their future pathways. This includes a talk from an apprenticeship provider.
In Year 9, students attend Careers Fest, a careers fair hosted by OxLEP which includes representatives from over 70 local employers and colleges. In previous years this has included; Rebellion, Ignite Sport, Abingdon and Witney College, BMW, Oxford International College of Beauty, alongside many others.
In Year 10, students take part in a careers education day where they explore the changing working world, preparing for work experience, and enterprise skills. They also receive a talk from an apprenticeship provider.
In Year 11, students take part in a further careers education day where they are encouraged to explore their options in more depth and make a plan for post-GCSEs. To enable them to do so, we invite over 40 colleges, employers and training providers into school to allow for in-depth conversations which allow students to discover what their next steps will be. The full list of organisations invited to the Careers Fair can be found in our Careers Education Policy, though we aim to expand this list each year.
Matthew Arnold is a UNIFROG school for students from year 7 to year 13. UNIFROG is the leading careers advice platform for schools and allows students to undertake extensive research for careers including university, apprenticeships, and employers. It allows students to record their employability skills and competencies which are key to allowing students to evidence their suitability for employment and universities as well as:
Students will also have the opportunity to develop and plan their career options at key points in Year 9 when choosing options, in Year 10 when planning work experience, and also in Year 11 when choosing their pathway at end of Year 11. Sixth form students also work closely with their tutors to develop their plans for after sixth including their personal statements.
Students have a range of options at 16 and 18 and can pursue several pathways to different careers.
University and degree apprenticeship application timeline
Resources, support and list of apprenticeship opportunities.
Helps young people develop the skills they need to succeed in future careers.
Aimed at people of all ages, this website will help you get the advice you need for future skills, careers, and work and life choices.
Website for school and college leavers that lists apprenticeship and employment opportunities.
Explore your career options and see where your degree could take you.
Useful careers information provided by Oxfordshire County Council for young people aged 8 – 19, including job and apprenticeship vacancies in Oxfordshire.
http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/informed-choices
Website for helping students choose the right A-Levels, especially if you plan to go on to university.
Explore careers, get the lowdown on top employers and search for jobs, courses, and advice.
Helping Your Child Begin Their Career Journey
A handy guide for Parents and carers to help your child to begin their career journey.
Help and advice on a range of study and career questions.
Lots of useful information from employers. Find out what skills and qualities employers are looking for, get ideas on how to develop and demonstrate your skills, and learn how to impress at an interview.
The website for researching university courses, entry requirements, writing personal statements and more. Now also includes information on options after GCSEs
At Matthew Arnold students have the opportunity to undertake two periods of work experience, one week in both Year 10 and Year 12.
Year 10 work experience is about giving students a general introduction to the workplace and experience of what it is like to be at work. It enables students to understand how school subjects can be applied in the world of work and to develop and practice employability skills.
One clear benefit is how the experience builds self-confidence in students and gives them a renewed focus on their curriculum subjects.
With regard to future career paths, it can be used to confirm choices before students decide on post-16 courses, but it is mainly a chance to engage with employers and learn new skills. For some students work experience in Year 10 has led to part-time work or apprenticeship opportunities.
Students source their own placements and the placements are administered on the UNIFROG platform.
The work experience week for Year 10 is 23rd-27th March 2026.
Year 12 students also have the opportunity to undertake a period of work experience. Students benefit from this as it allows them to gather experience of a career they intend to pursue but also gather evidence of their interest in specific career fields if they are considering them.
It is especially helpful for students who wish to pursue careers in vocational careers such as medicine; nursing; veterinary science, dentistry, and teaching.
Students source their own placements and the placements are administered on the UNIFROG platform.
Students can undertake placements virtually as well as in person and we understand that for some careers the placement may not take place in the week assigned by the school.
The work experience week for Year 12 is 6th-10th July 2026.
Students are responsible for finding their own placements. Through the process of researching local businesses, contacting them and attending informal interviews, they will build useful career management skills. The process will also help them in developing their resilience and independence.
It is the student’s responsibility to confirm practical details directly with the employer; including working hours, dress code and lunch arrangements.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| I don’t know my unifrog password? | Please go to unifrog.org and click “Reset password/Resend welcome email” |
|
How do I add a placement? |
Log into Unifrog, click ‘placements’ then ‘add a placement’ |
| I don’t know what to do for work experience? | Think about what you enjoy and what skills you want to improve. Then research organisations you could easily travel to and contact these. |
| What hours do I have to work? | This should be agreed with the employer and usually involves working a standard working day, which may be longer than the school day. This should not exceed 8 hours including a break for lunch. We encourage students to be transparent about their individual needs when agreeing working hours. |
| What are the rules regarding health and safety and insurance? |
Most employers will already have employers’ liability insurance in place which will cover students. Some employers are exempt from needing employers’ liability insurance. Employers are responsible for carrying out their own assessment of the risks and ensuring that appropriate health and safety arrangements are in place. We ask all employers to complete an employer placement form to provide details of the placement, including health and safety measures. Employers should explain any risks to students and parents, and provide PPE where necessary or advise students of appropriate clothing. |
July 2026
