Careers & Life Beyond Thornden

At Thornden School, careers education is a central part of our Personal Development curriculum and wider school ethos. Our aim is to ensure every student leaves Thornden with the knowledge, skills, confidence and ambition to make informed decisions about their future.

Our careers programme is fully aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks and delivered through a progressive model from Year 7 to Year 11. Careers education is not a one-off event; it is embedded through tutor time, KS4 Personal Development lessons, assemblies, provider encounters, employer engagement, work experience and curriculum learning.

This supports students’ SMSC development, British Values and cultural capital, preparing them for life in modern Britain and the world of work.

Our Careers Programme

Careers education at Thornden is delivered through:

• Tutor Personal Development Programme (Years 7–11)
• Targeted KS4 Careers Rotations (Years 10 & 11)
• Encounters with employers, employees, colleges and apprenticeship providers
• Work experience
• One-to-one careers guidance
• Curriculum-linked careers learning across subjects
• Access to careers technology and online resources

Thornden Careers Website

Students, parents and carers can access our dedicated Careers website for further information, guidance and opportunities:

Thornden Careers Website

The site includes:

• Careers events and opportunities
• College and sixth form information
• Apprenticeship pathways
• Work experience guidance
• Labour Market Information
• University and post-18 pathways
• Parent/carer support

Careers Contact

Careers Coordinator: Miss K Quinn
✉ k.quinn@thornden.hants.sch.uk
☎ 02380 269722

Careers Lead: Miss A Stickland
✉ a.stickland@thornden.hants.sch.uk
☎ 02380 269722

Encounters with Employers, Colleges and Training Providers

A key strength of our programme is the range of planned, meaningful encounters with employers, education providers and industry professionals.

Provider Assemblies

Students in Years 10 and 11 attend assemblies from:

• Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
• Peter Symonds College
• South Hampshire College Group

These sessions provide up-to-date information on courses, entry requirements, applications and progression.

Gatsby Benchmark 7: Encounters with further and higher education

Apprenticeship Week

Students take part in assemblies led by local employers and industry representatives, gaining insight into apprenticeship pathways and workplace expectations.

Gatsby Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees

Careers / Industry Week

Departments organise employer encounters and curriculum-linked careers learning through guest speakers and virtual sessions.

Gatsby Benchmarks 4 & 5: Linking curriculum learning to careers and employer encounters

Year 7

In Year 7, students begin their careers journey by developing self-awareness, curiosity and aspiration. Through the Personal Development tutor programme, they explore their interests, strengths and personal qualities, and begin to understand how these link to future careers. Students are introduced to the wide range of jobs and industries available and start to recognise the role work plays in society. Early careers learning also supports students’ understanding of responsibility, contribution and opportunity, building their cultural capital and awareness of the wider world. This provides a strong foundation for future careers education and ensures that all students begin secondary school with a clear sense that there are multiple pathways to success.
Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2 & 3

Year 8

In Year 8, students build on this foundation by developing decision-making skills and awareness of future pathways, particularly in preparation for GCSE options. Through the tutor programme, students explore how subjects link to careers and begin to understand how their choices can influence future opportunities. They are introduced to the changing world of work, including the impact of technology and emerging industries, and begin to develop awareness of key employability and financial concepts. This stage helps students make informed, confident and aspirational choices, while broadening their understanding of equality, opportunity and economic life beyond school.
Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3 & 4

Year 9

Year 9 is a key transition point where students begin to make meaningful, informed decisions about their future pathways. Through a structured options process, including assemblies, subject input and parental engagement, students are supported to choose GCSE subjects that align with their interests and aspirations. Within the tutor programme, students explore a wide range of careers and pathways, including colleges, apprenticeships and university routes, alongside an introduction to Labour Market Information. They are encouraged to take greater ownership of their decisions, developing independence, critical thinking and an understanding of how their learning connects to the wider world. This ensures that all students make well-informed and ambitious choices as they move into Key Stage 4.
Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4 & 7

Year 10

In Year 10, careers education becomes more focused and practical, supporting students to move from exploration to preparation. Through both the tutor programme and targeted Personal Development careers rotations, students develop a detailed understanding of post-16 pathways, including A Levels, vocational courses, T Levels and apprenticeships. They begin preparing for work experience by identifying their interests and strengths, researching employers and developing professional communication skills. Students also start drafting personal statements and exploring careers in greater depth using the Xello platform, which provides personalised guidance based on their skills and preferences. A strong emphasis is placed on professionalism and employability, ensuring students understand workplace expectations and begin developing the behaviours required for future success.
Gatsby Benchmarks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 & 8

Year 11

In Year 11, the focus shifts to application, decision-making and successful transition beyond Thornden. Students complete a week of work experience, gaining valuable insight into the workplace and developing transferable skills. Through assemblies, tutor time and Personal Development lessons, they are supported to apply for post-16 pathways, including colleges, apprenticeships and training providers. Students refine personal statements, develop CVs and build confidence in recruitment processes such as interviews. They also deepen their understanding of Labour Market Information, employment rights, equality in the workplace and financial independence, including budgeting and cost of living. This ensures that all students leave Thornden with a clear, appropriate destination and the confidence, knowledge and skills to succeed in the next stage of their lives.
Gatsby Benchmarks 1–8

Life beyond Thornden

Please see the table below, which shows a summary of the last few years of careers destinations for students in Year 11.  Students in the other category may have relocated to other countries or decided under data protection rights not to submit their data.  As you will note the vast majority of our students move on to either Sixth Form Colleges or Further Education Colleges and there has been a similar pattern for a number of years.

*Where fewer than five people are recorded the information is withheld and replaced with '-'.

RPA situations are grouped into five categories, seen below. The Situation Category table in the glossary on page 5 defines each category. The graph below shows that there is a larger percentage of Thornden School leavers moving to an education programme ('Sixth Form College/School', 'FE College', 'Other Ed inc. Traineeship') than the Hampshire average, but a smaller percentage moving to a training situation.

There are different types of education programmes. The bar chart below shows that a higher percentage of education programme leavers from Thornden School moved on to study a Level 3 programme than the Hampshire average. A lower percentage moved to Technical programmes than the Hampshire average.

The table below shows the most popular establishments attended, as of 1st November 2025, by the Year 11 leavers from Thornden School who moved to a full-time education programme.

Where are they now? (or you!)

We are always very keen to hear how our former students are getting on, either in their education, sporting or musical successes, or in the future lives.  If you are happy to share and pass on this information, we would be delighted to receive it.  If you are happy and available to share your pathway and successes with our current students, this will also be greatly received.  Please contact the school with this information.