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Sign In: We help students compare every opportunity, then apply successfully. We also empower teachers and counselors to manage the progression process effectively.

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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Amazing Apprenticeship - The parent perspective

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Amazing Apprenticeship - The parent perspective

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There are so many options available to your child on leaving school. They could join the sixth form, begin an apprenticeship, commence a T Level, develop their confidence through a traineeship, apply for full-time university, consider a gap year or even move into volunteering!

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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National Careers Week: Virtual Careers Fair

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Speakers for Schools: Parent / Guardian section

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Speakers for Schools: Parent / Guardian section

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We are a youth charity that believes every young person should have the opportunity to succeed and reach their potential. Scroll down to discover free resources that can help set your child on the path to reaching their career potential.

Who benefits from what we offer?

Your child and the employers we work with! The more young people from state schools and colleges that we can support into careers they love, the more we all stand to benefit from having a more diverse and productive workforce. Without our charity's help, it can be hard for some young people to get ahead or even imagine themselves in certain careers.

Help your child learn about a wider range of career options
Get them in front of big-name businesses wherever they live
Boost your child's skills and confidence
Get evidence for your child's CV, personal statement, apprenticeship or job application
Enable your child to find careers that really suit them
Get free support to help your child reach their potential

Your top 3 questions answered

Who is Speakers for Schools?

Launched in 2010 by ITV's Political Editor Robert Peston, Speakers for Schools is a youth social mobility charity that seeks to raise career ambitions among young people from less privileged backgrounds across the UK, and provide the necessary inspiration, experience and networking opportunities for them to succeed.

We provide support in the form of local, national and UK-wide opportunities to young people from state schools and colleges at no cost to students, parents/carers or your child's school/college. Since launch, we have already supported more than 1.3 million young people.

Since the start of the pandemic, we have partnered with over 1,000 employers to offer industry-leading virtual work experience to young people in every region of the UK. We already work with over 4,121 schools and colleges in the UK.

If your child attends a UK state secondary school or college, they are eligible to access our programmes.

Why should you encourage your child to take part in Speakers For Schools programmes?

There are many good reasons why you should encourage your child to participate, but here are our top four. Click on the bullet points below to reveal more detail.

Taking part in Speakers for Schools' programmes can improve your child's access to opportunities to expand their horizons and increase their cultural and social capital with a view to also improving their employment outcomes.

Our programmes are designed to help young people learn about lots of different roles in lots of different industries, so they can choose the right fit for them at this point in their life while also having a better appreciation of other options available to them in their future.

Engaging with our programmes from a young age (11+) means that your child can access more opportunities to build their awareness of careers and the world of work throughout their secondary school and college education. This means that they will be better placed to make more informed career choices based on practical experience and directly acquired knowledge.

Our programmes support young people in understanding the changing needs of employers and also in developing their own skill sets in a way that will appeal to future employers.

How can your child get the most out of our programmes?

Each of our programmes has been specially designed to provide lots of free opportunities for young people to supplement the careers education they receive while still in school. Young people can pick and choose opportunities from any of the age-appropriate opportunities across our programmes, doing as little or as much as they want when they want.
To derive maximum benefit, we would recommend that your child engages with all our programmes. Click on the bullet points below to reveal more detail.

We know that having multiple experiences of the world of work improves employment outcomes for young people when they enter the job market. We also know that additional school-mediated engagements with employers can positively impact a young person's future earnings ( up to 1.6% increase) and reduce their chance of becoming NEET by around 9%. Our Experience programme supports young people to access multiple opportunities to meet employers from a wide range of industries to learn about

We know that 'careers talks with employers' can improve young people's education performance as the result of linking the curriculum to the real world. Listening to inspirational talks through our Inspiration programme helps to provide context for young people so that they can look beyond the classroom and increase confidence in their own abilities. The research shows that there is a direct link between the career talks and students' outperforming their predicted grades, the equivalent of one student in a class of 25 beating their predictions by one grade as a result of the careers talks.

We know that employers highly value essential skills such as communication and problem-solving that young people develop outside of the classroom either through volunteering or work experience. Participating in a rounded careers education while still at school supports young people to develop the skills they need for any job in the modern world and has a bearing on their future earnings. The greater their level of essential skills, the higher the wage premium they can expect and research suggests that for each additional level of skills they develop, they can earn over £3,000 more when they enter the job market.

Latest Green Skills survey reveals that more than half of young people lack guidance on green job options at school

Latest Green Skills survey reveals that more than half of young people lack guidance on green job options at school A new survey carried out by our charity of 1,200 young people aged 15-18 who attend state secondary schools and colleges throughout the UK has revealed that more than half (57%) have not been given [...]

Fumez the Engineer visits Hewens College to inspire and empower the next generation.

Fumez the Engineer visits Hewens College to inspire and empower the next generation. Well-known and respected audio producer and engineer Fumez the Engineer delivered a motivating talk to students from Years 10 and 11 at Hewens College, West London, on Wednesday 16th of March. It was a hugely memorable experience for the students who attended, [...]

How virtual work experience helped pave the way for a Scottish student to secure an apprenticeship

How virtual work experience helped pave the way for a Scottish student to secure an apprenticeship Many young people find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to looking for a job because there are limited career options available in their local area. And while the pandemic generally reduced the opportunities for many young people [...]

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We are a youth charity that believes every young person should have the opportunity to succeed and reach their potential. Scroll down to discover free resources that can help set your child on the path to reaching their career potential. Your child and the employers we work with!

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Sir John Holman, a former Headteacher and founder of the National STEM Learning Centre, was asked by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to undertake an independent, international review of career guidance. Working with the University of Derby, the project visited six countries, analysed good practice in English schools and reviewed existing literature.

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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A parents' toolkit for career conversations

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Talking Futures: A parents toolkit for discussing next steps in education 

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Talking Futures: A parents toolkit for discussing next steps in education 

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A parents' toolkit for career conversations

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Talking Futures will help you have informed and constructive conversations with your child about their future.

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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Sir John Holman, a former Headteacher and founder of the National STEM Learning Centre, was asked by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to undertake an independent, international review of career guidance. Working with the University of Derby, the project visited six countries, analysed good practice in English schools and reviewed existing literature.

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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National Careers Week: The Future of Work and Careers 

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Unlock top-notch apprenticeship teacher resources with Amazing Apprenticeships! Empower educators, enhance student guidance. Elevate learning!

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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We're a UK-wide youth charity on a mission to help you find your feet and get the best possible start in life.

Our Career Personality Quiz is a quick, fun way to find out which types of careers are most likely to suit you and to get tailored updates about our latest work experience and inspirational talks.

Helping students like you!

Meet Josh and Joyce, two of the million-plus young people from across the UK who have felt their confidence skyrocket thanks to using our extraordinary programmes during their time at school and college!

Meet some of our employers

We offer free work experience opportunities with hundreds of leading employers from big-name businesses you'll already know to others you've yet to discover. With new employers coming on board all the time, here are a few of our top employers!

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools Black History Month is almost over, and we wanted to take a moment to share with you how Speakers for Schools is celebrating black excellence this year and signpost you to some useful resources you may want to explore. Each year, a different theme is selected for [...]

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences October was another busy month for Speakers for Schools on the policy front with our CEO Nick Brook heading to the North-West of England for two lively fringe panel events at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences that each featured an impressive lineup of experts [...]

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all New data from the Employer skills survey published September 2023 shows persistent skills challenges that businesses are facing. Over 72,000 employers in multiple sectors were surveyed to provide insight into the evolving labour market, focusing on skill-shortage vacancies, training and skill gaps across all regions [...]

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Speakers for Schools | Career Guidance and Work Experience for Students

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Discover Speakers for Schools, a UK-wide youth charity dedicated to helping students find their footing in life. Explore our career guidance resources, gain world-class work experience, and listen to inspirational talks from high-achieving professionals. Start your journey to success with us today.

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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We're a UK-wide youth charity on a mission to help you find your feet and get the best possible start in life.

Our Career Personality Quiz is a quick, fun way to find out which types of careers are most likely to suit you and to get tailored updates about our latest work experience and inspirational talks.

Helping students like you!

Meet Josh and Joyce, two of the million-plus young people from across the UK who have felt their confidence skyrocket thanks to using our extraordinary programmes during their time at school and college!

Meet some of our employers

We offer free work experience opportunities with hundreds of leading employers from big-name businesses you'll already know to others you've yet to discover. With new employers coming on board all the time, here are a few of our top employers!

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools Black History Month is almost over, and we wanted to take a moment to share with you how Speakers for Schools is celebrating black excellence this year and signpost you to some useful resources you may want to explore. Each year, a different theme is selected for [...]

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences October was another busy month for Speakers for Schools on the policy front with our CEO Nick Brook heading to the North-West of England for two lively fringe panel events at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences that each featured an impressive lineup of experts [...]

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all New data from the Employer skills survey published September 2023 shows persistent skills challenges that businesses are facing. Over 72,000 employers in multiple sectors were surveyed to provide insight into the evolving labour market, focusing on skill-shortage vacancies, training and skill gaps across all regions [...]

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Speakers for Schools | Career Guidance and Work Experience for Students

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Discover Speakers for Schools, a UK-wide youth charity dedicated to helping students find their footing in life. Explore our career guidance resources, gain world-class work experience, and listen to inspirational talks from high-achieving professionals. Start your journey to success with us today.

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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We're a UK-wide youth charity on a mission to help you find your feet and get the best possible start in life.

Our Career Personality Quiz is a quick, fun way to find out which types of careers are most likely to suit you and to get tailored updates about our latest work experience and inspirational talks.

Helping students like you!

Meet Josh and Joyce, two of the million-plus young people from across the UK who have felt their confidence skyrocket thanks to using our extraordinary programmes during their time at school and college!

Meet some of our employers

We offer free work experience opportunities with hundreds of leading employers from big-name businesses you'll already know to others you've yet to discover. With new employers coming on board all the time, here are a few of our top employers!

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools Black History Month is almost over, and we wanted to take a moment to share with you how Speakers for Schools is celebrating black excellence this year and signpost you to some useful resources you may want to explore. Each year, a different theme is selected for [...]

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences October was another busy month for Speakers for Schools on the policy front with our CEO Nick Brook heading to the North-West of England for two lively fringe panel events at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences that each featured an impressive lineup of experts [...]

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all New data from the Employer skills survey published September 2023 shows persistent skills challenges that businesses are facing. Over 72,000 employers in multiple sectors were surveyed to provide insight into the evolving labour market, focusing on skill-shortage vacancies, training and skill gaps across all regions [...]

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Speakers for Schools | Career Guidance and Work Experience for Students

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Discover Speakers for Schools, a UK-wide youth charity dedicated to helping students find their footing in life. Explore our career guidance resources, gain world-class work experience, and listen to inspirational talks from high-achieving professionals. Start your journey to success with us today.

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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We're a UK-wide youth charity on a mission to help you find your feet and get the best possible start in life.

Our Career Personality Quiz is a quick, fun way to find out which types of careers are most likely to suit you and to get tailored updates about our latest work experience and inspirational talks.

Helping students like you!

Meet Josh and Joyce, two of the million-plus young people from across the UK who have felt their confidence skyrocket thanks to using our extraordinary programmes during their time at school and college!

Meet some of our employers

We offer free work experience opportunities with hundreds of leading employers from big-name businesses you'll already know to others you've yet to discover. With new employers coming on board all the time, here are a few of our top employers!

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools Black History Month is almost over, and we wanted to take a moment to share with you how Speakers for Schools is celebrating black excellence this year and signpost you to some useful resources you may want to explore. Each year, a different theme is selected for [...]

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences October was another busy month for Speakers for Schools on the policy front with our CEO Nick Brook heading to the North-West of England for two lively fringe panel events at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences that each featured an impressive lineup of experts [...]

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all New data from the Employer skills survey published September 2023 shows persistent skills challenges that businesses are facing. Over 72,000 employers in multiple sectors were surveyed to provide insight into the evolving labour market, focusing on skill-shortage vacancies, training and skill gaps across all regions [...]

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Speakers for Schools | Career Guidance and Work Experience for Students

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Discover Speakers for Schools, a UK-wide youth charity dedicated to helping students find their footing in life. Explore our career guidance resources, gain world-class work experience, and listen to inspirational talks from high-achieving professionals. Start your journey to success with us today.

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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Speakers for Schools Young Peoples Careers Page

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We're a UK-wide youth charity on a mission to help you find your feet and get the best possible start in life.

Our Career Personality Quiz is a quick, fun way to find out which types of careers are most likely to suit you and to get tailored updates about our latest work experience and inspirational talks.

Helping students like you!

Meet Josh and Joyce, two of the million-plus young people from across the UK who have felt their confidence skyrocket thanks to using our extraordinary programmes during their time at school and college!

Meet some of our employers

We offer free work experience opportunities with hundreds of leading employers from big-name businesses you'll already know to others you've yet to discover. With new employers coming on board all the time, here are a few of our top employers!

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools Black History Month is almost over, and we wanted to take a moment to share with you how Speakers for Schools is celebrating black excellence this year and signpost you to some useful resources you may want to explore. Each year, a different theme is selected for [...]

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences October was another busy month for Speakers for Schools on the policy front with our CEO Nick Brook heading to the North-West of England for two lively fringe panel events at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences that each featured an impressive lineup of experts [...]

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all New data from the Employer skills survey published September 2023 shows persistent skills challenges that businesses are facing. Over 72,000 employers in multiple sectors were surveyed to provide insight into the evolving labour market, focusing on skill-shortage vacancies, training and skill gaps across all regions [...]

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Speakers for Schools | Career Guidance and Work Experience for Students

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Discover Speakers for Schools, a UK-wide youth charity dedicated to helping students find their footing in life. Explore our career guidance resources, gain world-class work experience, and listen to inspirational talks from high-achieving professionals. Start your journey to success with us today.

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Whether you're deciding what to study, taking your exams, planning a career, or just curious, we're here to explain the world of work, with advice from people who've found the right path for them.

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T Levels were established to strengthen the technical education system in England and give young people the knowledge and skills that employers look for.

Combining theoretical knowledge with experience in the real world of work, T Levels give students a head start in their future, whether that's employment, a higher apprenticeship or further education.

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T Levels were established to strengthen the technical education system in England and give young people the knowledge and skills that employers look for. Combining theoretical knowledge with experience in the real world of work, T Levels give students a head start in their future, whether that's employment, a higher apprenticeship or further education.

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Whether you're deciding what to study, taking your exams, planning a career, or just curious, we're here to explain the world of work, with advice from people who've found the right path for them.

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Whether you're deciding what to study, taking your exams, planning a career, or just curious, we're here to explain the world of work, with advice from people who've found the right path for them.

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Whether you're deciding what to study, taking your exams, planning a career, or just curious, we're here to explain the world of work, with advice from people who've found the right path for them.

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Which GCSEs should I take?

This is really down to a combination of things, including your own interests, which optional subjects your school allows you to choose, and your future plans.

You're in the driving seat now, and you're beginning to shape your own education! This is the first time you can focus on the subjects you like the most and feel you will do well at.

How many GCSEs should I take?

You should expect to take around nine subjects. Most courses and jobs you might want to apply for in the future require you to have grades between 9 and 4 in a minimum of five subjects.

Which GCSE options are compulsory?

Maths, English and Science are the core subjects everyone must take at GCSE in England. English Language is compulsory in all schools, and so is English Literature in the majority of schools, but there are exceptions, so do check.

Science may be split into the three separate sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) or into two combined Science GCSEs.

Check with your teachers to find out what rules your school has.

What GCSE options are there?

You will have the option to choose:

A modern foreign language. The most commonly taught are French, German and Spanish, but some schools also offer languages like Mandarin and Russian. Some schools require you to take a modern foreign language, so check with your teachers whether these are part of your options or compulsory.

A humanity subject like History, Geography, or Religious Studies.

An arts subject like Music, Drama, Art and Design or Media Studies.

A technical subject such as Design and Technology, Food Technology or Computer Science.

All students have to do PE in years 10 and 11, but you can also take it as a GCSE option.

To help you make up your mind, ask your teachers about subjects that you might be interested in but haven't taken yet, so they can explain what will be taught on the course. You can also check out GCSE Bitesize to find out more about each subject.

Can I change my GCSE subjects?

You might be able to, but it's likely to depend on whether changing will cause subjects clashes on your personal timetable. Remember: choosing your GCSE subjects is also choosing your timetable, so think hard and ask your teachers about the planned schedule for the subjects you are keen on.

When do I have to pick my GCSE subjects?

In England, you will choose the subjects you want to study for GCSE in Year 9, but in some schools this might happen in Year 8, so even if you're in Year 7 it's not too early to start thinking about your options!

Different schools will ask students to pick their options at different times, but you'll get plenty of notice and information from your teachers.

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GCSE Options: Everything you need to know about choosing your GCSE subjects

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This is really down to a combination of things, including your own interests, which optional subjects your school allows you to choose, and your future plans. You're in the driving seat now, and you're beginning to shape your own education!

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How can I help my child choose their A Levels?

About A Levels

A Levels are Level 3 qualifications which your child can choose to take after GCSEs - in schools, 6th form centres or at a Further Education College. A levels are linear qualifications, studied over two years with final exams and assessments taking place at the end. Most students will study 3 subjects at A Level and each school and college will have set entry requirements for students to start A Levels. These will differ in different schools, but young people will often need to have at least 5 GCSE passes at Grade 5/6 or above and, for the subjects they wish to take at A Level, they may need a Grade 6/7 for some subjects - check with your school/college. Full details of requirements will be on the school or college websites.

Your child can stay on at their school for A Levels (if they have a sixth form) or they can apply to study at a different 6th form or college. Not all schools and colleges offer the same A Levels so it is worth looking at all the possibilities.

When helping your child with their A Level choices, you could consider the following:

Have they considered the other options open to them at this stage, such as vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, T Levels? Are you up to date with the different pathways they can choose? Careerpilot has more information on the Choices at 16.

Encourage your child to really find out what is involved in the A Level subject. Often students assume that the A Level is going to be very similar to the GCSE but it may be very different, both in content and in the way it is taught. They may be expected to do much more independent work or there may be less practical work.

If your child has a career idea in mind, or several ideas, encourage them to find out if they need specific A Levels. Careerpilot has information on 800+ jobs. If they have a specific degree in mind, they could check out the entry requirements on the UCAS website, (which has detailed information about all full-time higher education courses) as they may need specific A Levels. It is important they realise that theycould change their mind about their current career idea. Therefore: their choices should be based on subjects which will keep their options open; which they will enjoy; which they believe they will do well in.

There is a huge range of subjects to choose from. A Levels provide an opportunity to carry on with a subject they really like or start a new subject which was not available as a GCSE. Some A Level subjects are regarded as subjects that can lead on to many options later, known as 'facilitating' subjects - such as maths, English, physics, biology or chemistry, history or geography or a language. It is good to have a mixture of facilitating and non-facilitating subjects, check exactly what the course requirement are as some courses ask for specific A levels.

Talk through the possibilities with your child to find out what they like and dislike about the possible A Level subjects. With your help and with advice from their teachers, they should be able to make a realistic appraisal of their ability in different subjects. It is often very difficult for a young person to see beyond a 'passion pitch' that a teacher may make to your child, especially if they are academically strong in many subjects. Everyone likes to hear that a teacher would really want him or her in his or her class, but this is about your child choosing the right subjects in the right combination for them.

Many schools and colleges hold open days or evenings throughout the year and it is a good idea for you both to attend as this will help you to discuss the possible options. Many schools also offer taster lessons in the subjects they are considering taking. It is not uncommon for schools to have very early closing dates for the 6th form, to help with planning the timetable and staffing but, there is nothing to prevent a student from making more than one application and then holding these places before making up their mind later on.

About AS Levels

AS Levels are stand alone qualifications and are about the equivalent of half an A level. They are stand alone qualifications taken over 1 year and no longer count towards achieving a full A level. They can be studied alongside A levels and attract UCAS points.

More information

Careerpilot has more information about A Levels here

Schools and colleges will provide information and advice that will help your child to make the right decision for them.

UCAS, which is the site with information about all full-time higher education courses and how to apply, provides further information about choosing A Levels which you can read here.

This article from icould.com gives you five points to consider and The Uni Guide gives you six points to consider when choosing A Levels.

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A Levels are Level 3 qualifications which your child can choose to take after GCSEs - in schools, 6th form centres or at a Further Education College. A levels are linear qualifications, studied over two years with final exams and assessments taking place at the end.

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Sign In: We help students compare every opportunity, then apply successfully. We also empower teachers and counselors to manage the progression process effectively.

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Sign In: We help students compare every opportunity, then apply successfully. We also empower teachers and counselors to manage the progression process effectively.

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An introduction to Careers Education for Governors

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An introduction to Careers Education for Governors

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An Introduction to Careers Education for Governors

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We are a youth charity that believes every young person should have the opportunity to succeed and reach their potential. Click 'Get Started' to register for an account for your school/college or scroll down to discover free resources that can help set your students on the path to reaching their career potential.

Who benefits from what we offer?

You, your students and the employers we work with! The more we can support you in helping your students into careers they love, the more we all stand to benefit from having a more diverse and productive workforce. Without our charity's help, it can be hard for some young people to get ahead or even imagine themselves in certain careers.

Let us help supplement your school/college's careers education programme so that you can improve your students' outcomes.

Help your students learn about a wider range of career options
Get your students in front of big-name businesses wherever they live
Boost your students' skills and confidence
Get evidence for your child's CV, personal statement, apprenticeship or job application
Enable your students to find careers that really suit them
Get free support to help your students to reach their potential

Who are Speakers for Schools?

Launched in 2010 by ITV's Political Editor Robert Peston, Speakers for Schools is a youth social mobility charity that seeks to raise career ambitions among young people from less privileged backgrounds across the UK, and provide the necessary inspiration, experience and networking opportunities for them to succeed.

We provide support in the form of local, national and UK-wide opportunities to young people from state schools, colleges and ITPs at no cost to students, parents/carers or your school/college/ITP. Since launch, we have already supported more than 1.3 million young people to discover more about the world of work.

Since the start of the pandemic, we have partnered with over 1,000 employers to offer industry-leading virtual work experience to young people in every region of the UK. We already work with over 3,400 schools, colleges and ITPs in England and, through our charity, young people from anywhere in England can:

Access high-quality work experience that meets Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6

Take part in employer-led activities based on the Skills Builder Universal Framework

Expand their knowledge of careers and pathways into different careers

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools

Celebrating Black History Month with Speakers for Schools Black History Month is almost over, and we wanted to take a moment to share with you how Speakers for Schools is celebrating black excellence this year and signpost you to some useful resources you may want to explore. Each year, a different theme is selected for [...]

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences

Our Top Takeaways from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences October was another busy month for Speakers for Schools on the policy front with our CEO Nick Brook heading to the North-West of England for two lively fringe panel events at the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences that each featured an impressive lineup of experts [...]

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all

Skills shortage increase sends an important message to us all New data from the Employer skills survey published September 2023 shows persistent skills challenges that businesses are facing. Over 72,000 employers in multiple sectors were surveyed to provide insight into the evolving labour market, focusing on skill-shortage vacancies, training and skill gaps across all regions [...]

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work experience opportunities for students

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Empowering Students for Success | Educational Resources | Speakers for Schools

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Discover Speakers for Schools, a dedicated platform offering resources and opportunities to help educators empower their students for success. Explore our inspirational talks, work experience opportunities, and join our mission to boost student potential across the UK.

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Sign In: We help students compare every opportunity, then apply successfully. We also empower teachers and counselors to manage the progression process effectively.

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Sign In: We help students compare every opportunity, then apply successfully. We also empower teachers and counselors to manage the progression process effectively.

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How can you help your child choose their option choices in Year 9?

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How can you help your child choose their option choices in Year 9?

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Thank you for successfully registering your interest for The Genie Programme.

A member of the team will be in touch with your shortly. In the meantime, If you have any questions please email us at genie@amazingapprenticeships.com.

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Everything you need to get prepared for National Careers Week 2022! View our range of free resources designed to inspire students and teachers alike to see how subjects that they love can link to fantastic apprenticeship opportunities.

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Thank you for successfully registering your interest for The Genie Programme.

A member of the team will be in touch with your shortly. In the meantime, If you have any questions please email us at genie@amazingapprenticeships.com.

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Everything you need to get prepared for National Careers Week 2022! View our range of free resources designed to inspire students and teachers alike to see how subjects that they love can link to fantastic apprenticeship opportunities.

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Thank you for successfully registering your interest for The Genie Programme.

A member of the team will be in touch with your shortly. In the meantime, If you have any questions please email us at genie@amazingapprenticeships.com.

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Everything you need to get prepared for National Careers Week 2022! View our range of free resources designed to inspire students and teachers alike to see how subjects that they love can link to fantastic apprenticeship opportunities.

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Explore your training and career possibilities or get help working out your options.

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Thank you for successfully registering your interest for The Genie Programme.

A member of the team will be in touch with your shortly. In the meantime, If you have any questions please email us at genie@amazingapprenticeships.com.

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Everything you need to get prepared for National Careers Week 2022! View our range of free resources designed to inspire students and teachers alike to see how subjects that they love can link to fantastic apprenticeship opportunities.

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Students will usually make their choices in Y9 (some schools they make these choices in Y8) and include which GCSEs or vocational subjects your child will do and also, where your child could choose to study - as depending on where you live, there maybe the option to go to a University Technical College or school that specialises in vocational subjects at 14.

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Thank you for successfully registering your interest for The Genie Programme.

A member of the team will be in touch with your shortly. In the meantime, If you have any questions please email us at genie@amazingapprenticeships.com.

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Everything you need to get prepared for National Careers Week 2022! View our range of free resources designed to inspire students and teachers alike to see how subjects that they love can link to fantastic apprenticeship opportunities.

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DFE: Helping your child make the best GCSE choices.

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DFE: Helping your child make the best GCSE choices.

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Welcome to Harris Federation Careers Education

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Harris Careers Education is here to inspire you, advise you and support you get to where you want.

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Welcome to Harris Federation Careers Education

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Harris Careers Education is here to inspire you, advise you and support you get to where you want.

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Use this service to search and apply for apprenticeships in England.

During an apprenticeship, you'll:

work and get paid

train and gain a qualification

Who can do an apprenticeship

You can start an apprenticeship if you're:

16 or over

not in education (full or part-time)

You can have a previous qualification, like a degree, and still start an apprenticeship.

Before you start

Find out more about how apprenticeships work and what you'll get.

Find apprenticeships online

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Register your profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship - you must be 16 or over

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Welcome to Harris Federation Careers Education

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Harris Careers Education is here to inspire you, advise you and support you get to where you want.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Welcome to Harris Federation Careers Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Harris Careers Education is here to inspire you, advise you and support you get to where you want.

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Skip to main content

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Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.

As an apprentice you'll:

be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay

work alongside experienced staff

gain job-specific skills

get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours)

Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

Levels of apprenticeship

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels.

Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.

Who can start an apprenticeship

To start an apprenticeship, you'll need to be:

16 or over

living in England

not in full-time education

You can apply for an apprenticeship while you're still at school but you'll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship.

If you have relevant experience

You could spend less time training or qualify earlier if you have relevant experience. This includes having:

qualifications, such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in a relevant subject

industry or sector experience

completed training, such as an IT course

You can agree this with your training provider and employer when you start your apprenticeship.

If you need more experience

If you feel you're not ready for an apprenticeship, a traineeship is a course designed to prepare you for one.

Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Different organisations deal with:

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Becoming an apprentice - what to expect, apprenticeship levels, pay and training, making an application, complaining about an apprenticeship.

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Choosing the right subjects to study post-16 is very important in helping you to get into university, particularly a Russell Group university.

If you don't know what degree subject you want to study, it's important to choose A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) that keep as many options open to you.

Whatever your situation, Informed Choices can give you the start you need in deciding what to do next.

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Choosing the right subjects to study post-16 is very important in helping you to get into university, particularly a Russell Group university. If you don't know what degree subject you want to study, it's important to choose A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) that keep as many options open to you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Choosing the right subjects to study post-16 is very important in helping you to get into university, particularly a Russell Group university.

If you don't know what degree subject you want to study, it's important to choose A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) that keep as many options open to you.

Whatever your situation, Informed Choices can give you the start you need in deciding what to do next.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Choosing the right subjects to study post-16 is very important in helping you to get into university, particularly a Russell Group university. If you don't know what degree subject you want to study, it's important to choose A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) that keep as many options open to you.

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An increasingly popular study option, apprenticeships are a great way to gain hands-on experience while studying towards an industry-recognised qualification and earning a wage. They're available across a range of sectors, from accounting, business and law, to construction, engineering and transport.

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Learn more about apprenticeships including the different types, where to find them and how to apply

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Employability Skills | Young People Job Skills | Life Skills

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Skip to main content Your cookie preferences In order to provide you with the best possible experience on the LifeSkills website we use cookies and similar technology to collect data from your device and browser while you are here.

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Welcome to Harris Federation Careers Education

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Harris Careers Education is here to inspire you, advise you and support you get to where you want.