Careers

Our Careers Programme

At Hailsham Academy, we are committed to preparing every student for life beyond Year 11. Our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme supports young people to develop aspirations, explore different pathways and make well-informed choices for their future education and employment. 

We provide:

• A structured careers curriculum delivered through PSHE, assemblies, mentor time and enrichment activities. 

• Careers education aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure high-quality guidance for all students. 

• Regular updates about employer talks, college open evenings, apprenticeship events and careers fairs. 

• 1:1 impartial career guidance to help students plan their next steps. 

• GCSE options guidance in Year 9 and transition support for Year 11. 

• Work experience for students, offering real-world insight into the workplace and helping them develop confidence and employability skills. 

Our promise: 

We want every student to leave our school with confidence, ambition and a clear plan for their next stage – whether sixth form, college, vocational training, an apprenticeship or employment. 

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Employers: How you can help

We welcome partnerships with employers and alumni who want to inspire young people and support the development of the future workforce. Your involvement helps students understand the world of work and the skills that are most valued in industry. 

Ways to get involved: 

• Lead a careers talk, skills session or industry workshop. 

• Host workplace visits or offer virtual tours. 

• Provide work experience placements for students in Year 10. 

• Support mock interviews, CV workshops or careers events. 

• Collaborate with teachers to help develop curriculum-linked projects. 

• Join our employer network for ongoing engagement. 

What you gain: 

• The opportunity to shape and inspire the next generation. 

• A chance to showcase your industry and the roles available. 

• Stronger links with the local community. 

• Early engagement with young people who may become your future workforce. 

Provider Access Legislation

To find out more about how to support students as part of our careers programme, please refer to our Provider Access Statement below and contact our Careers Leader, Siobhan Murray at  or 01323 841468.  

• Click here to view our Provider Access Legislation Policy

• Click here to find out about our 2026 Careers Fair

Work Experience

Work Experience is an important part of our Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) programme. It gives students the chance to spend time in a real workplace, develop essential skills, and gain a clearer understanding of future career pathways. We believe that high-quality work experience helps young people build confidence, raise aspirations, and make informed decisions about their next steps after Year 11. 

Why Work Experience Matters 

Work experience helps students to: 

• Explore different career areas 

• Understand the expectations and responsibilities of the workplace 

• Develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, independence and problem solving 

• Gain insight into how subjects studied at school link to real-world jobs 

• Strengthen future applications for college, apprenticeships or employment 

• Build confidence and motivation for their future career plans 

These experiences play a valuable role in helping students transition successfully into further education and the world of work. 

Work Experience for students 

All students taking part in work experience will receive support before, during and after their placement. 

How to find a placement 

Students can find placements through: 

• Local businesses 

• Family or community connections 

• Contacting employers directly 

• Opportunities shared by the school 

• Careers East Sussex opportunities page  

We encourage students to start early and choose placements that match their interests or aspirations. 

Typical employer responsibilities include: 

• Providing a safe and supervised working environment 

• Offering students meaningful tasks that develop skills 

• Explaining workplace expectations clearly 

• Providing feedback on the student’s performance 

Miss Murray will guide you through all requirements, including health and safety checks and necessary documentation.

2025 – 2026 Work Experience Dates:

• Year 10: Monday 6 July – Friday 10 July 2026

Contact Us 

For any questions about work experience, please contact our Careers Leader, Miss S. Murray, at or 01323 841468.

We are always happy to support students, families and employers in making work experience a positive and successful part of our careers programme. 

Careers Links:

Below are website links to local and national information that can support students and parents/carers investigating future career pathways.

Further Education:

• Careers East Sussex online prospectus for all colleges in the county: www.careerseastsussex.co.uk
• East Sussex College Group (Eastbourne, Hastings and Lewes Campus): www.escg.ac.uk
• Bexhill College: www.bexhillcollege.ac.uk
• Plumpton College: www.plumpton.ac.uk
• DV8: www.dv8sussex.com
• GBMet: www.gbmc.ac.uk
• T Levels: T Levels | The Next Level Qualification

Apprenticeship Information:

• Apprenticeship search: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk
• Amazing Apprenticeships: www.amazingapprenticeships.com
• Rate My Apprenticeship: www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk
• JTL Training: www.jtltraining.com

Traineeships:

• Heathercroft: www.hts.ac.uk
• Wealden Works: www.wealdenworks.co.uk
• Crossland and Dudson: www.cdtraining.co.uk

University Information:

• The Uniguide: www.theuniguide.co.uk
• UCAS: www.ucas.com
• Informed Choices: www.informedchoices.ac.uk

General Careers Resources:

• The I Could website has thousands of career videos from hundreds of careers: http://icould.com/.
• National Careers Service provides careers advice and information on a wide range of jobs, training course resources and funding: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk.
• How2Become.com is the UK’s leading careers and educational information and development website. From here, you can learn how to write a CV, how to complete an application form, how to pass psychometric tests and also how to pass any job interview. www.How2Become.com.
• Future Learn ‘Essential Skills for Your Career Development’ course. Take charge of your career development and identify the skills you need to plan and achieve your career goals: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/essential-skills-for-your-career-development.