Careers Bulletin 25 September 2026

Here is this week’s edition of the weekly Careers Bulletin; it will only be useful if students are proactive!

Please take a look at the opportunities that are of interest to you. If you need any help, please pop into the Careers Office which is in the Business Block or simply drop me an email: ewooller@littleheath.org.uk

Events this Term

170926 – Y12 Reading University – Personal Statement Clinics

230926 – Y12 Winchester University – Personal Statement Clinics

300926 – Y12 Royal Holloway University- Personal Statement Clinics

070926 – Y13 Pathway CTM/AWE Assembly

081026 – Y11 Destination Expo Trip to Newbury Careers Fair

160926 – Y12 Mathematics – Noether Tour Outreach Workshop on problem solving

211026 – Y8 Computer Science Trip to Bayer: Code in Motion-Robotics & Logic with Lego Spike Prime

221026 –Y8 Computer Science Trip to Bayer: Code in Motion-Robotics & Logic with Lego Spike Prime

Useful Information

eCLIPS

This is an excellent site with accurate information on over 1400 jobs, including live labour market information and a wealth of impartial advice on education and employment choices. eCLIPS helps young people to make informed study and career decisions.

Visit eCLIPS here: eCLIPS - Login using password: boothe46

Berkshire Opportunities

Find valuable resources, career insights, and essential information on Berkshire’s thriving economy here: Berkshire Opportunities - The Skills and Business Hub

Medics & Lawyers

The Medic Portal is a renowned resource for aspiring medical students, offering comprehensive preparation for UCAT, BMAT, and medical school interviews. It's recognized for its quality support and proven track record, having assisted thousands of applicants each year. With a wide array of courses, tutoring, and free resources, The Medic Portal is dedicated to helping students navigate the challenging journey of medical school admissions.

Find out more here: Get Into Medicine | Trusted UCA & Interview Prep

The Lawyer Portal is a comprehensive resource for individuals considering a career in law. It offers a wide range of information and services, including guides on different pathways into the legal profession, workshops, and events like mock trials and summer schools. The portal is in partnership with key legal institutions such as the Law Society, the Bar Council, and CILEx, and is supported by The University of Law. It's designed to assist aspiring legal professionals at every stage, from students to practicing lawyers, providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in the legal field.

Find out more here: The Lawyer Portal | The Resource for Aspiring Legal Professionals

Free support from the Sutton Trust to help students apply for and succeed at university or an apprenticeship

We have an exciting opportunity for your students – our award-winning and completely free digital programme, Sutton Trust Online, has now opened for applications.

By joining Sutton Trust Online, students will have the opportunity to:

Ask questions to current university students and apprentices using STO chat
Enjoy expert personal statement support based on what universities are looking for
Get admissions test and interview support
Attend webinars and taster lectures delivered by universities, including admissions staff
Learn about university and apprenticeships with our expert resources
Become a Sutton Trust Alumni and gain access to exclusive opportunities for years to come.

Applying only takes about 15 minutes, and the programme is self-directed and designed to fit in around studying.

Please click on the link to find out more information: Sutton Trust Online (STO) - The Sutton Trust

Employment

Apprenticeships & School Leaver Programmes

Degree apprenticeships offer a dynamic blend of academic study and practical work experience.

They provide a unique pathway to kickstart your career while obtaining a valuable university qualification. By engaging in real-world projects in professional settings, apprentices gain hands-on experience, develop industry specific skills, and build a network of contacts early in their careers.

The Sixth Formers' Guide to Degree Apprenticeships is a free 100-page digital guide, produced in association with the Department for Education and The Careers & Enterprise Company, that will help introduce Year 12 students to degree apprenticeships and the employers who offer them.

Read it here: The Sixth Formers' Guide to Degree Apprenticeships 2025

AWE: Apprenticeships

AWE: School Leaver Programme

AWE recruitment window opens mid October and they have roles across a variety of fields from Project Management to Engineering. Historically these have been extremely popular and they will probably close the window as soon as they have enough interest, so act promptly.

As an apprentice, you’ll get hands-on experience in cutting-edge facilities while learning from some of the brightest minds in the business. Whether you’re into problem-solving, project planning, or precision engineering, they’ve got a path for you.

Bring your brilliance. Share your vision. Be part of a mission that keep the nation safe and secure. In turn, they’ll support your growth, challenge your thinking, and help you build a career that truly makes a difference.

Find out more here: Apprenticeships – AWE

(AWE will be in school talking to Y13 on Wednesday 7 October 2026)

PwC: Flying Start Degree Programme

PwC: Applications for their Flying Start Degree Programme - now open

This unique degree pathway lets you combine university study with real-world experience, earning a salary whilst you gain a degree, offering a fast-track into your future career.

As a Flying Start student, you'll be fully immersed in both academic life and paid placements at PwC. You'll be given the chance to work on a variety of projects from day one, in an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and creativity is encouraged.

PwC believe in challenging students, supporting their growth, and helping them thrive. This isn’t just about gaining a qualification – it’s about making an impact for their clients and setting up a rewarding career.

Find out more here: Flying Start | PwC UK Careers

BAE: Apprenticeships

The Recruitment window will reopen for 2027 opportunities in January. Early application is advised.

Be a pioneer, fast-tracking the future of BAE Systems through innovative technology and next-generation engineering feats to tackle complex problems, making a real difference for your career, and the world. With our apprenticeships you’ll earn while you learn and receive job-specific training, experience and recognised qualifications that will shape your career.

Our degree apprenticeships cover many exciting disciplines including Aerospace Engineering, Management, Nuclear Engineering, Project Management, Software Engineering, Information & Technology, and Enterprise Architecture.

Find out more here: Apprenticeships in the United Kingdom | BAE Systems Careers

KPMG: Apprenticeships

The opportunity to earn a salary while working towards a fully-funded qualification is an ideal alternative to traditional university. And that’s exactly what an apprenticeship at KPMG offers. If you join us in Audit or Tax, by the end of your apprenticeship you’ll have the same qualifications as our graduate colleagues, with five years of hands-on experience. You get a real head start in your career, all whilst earning a competitive salary.

Find out more here: KPMG Careers | Apprentice

Insight Events & Work Experience

Young Professionals: Insight to Deloitte

On Wednesday 7 October this event will be taking Year 12 and Year 13 students inside Deloitte — a Big Four firm and the largest professional services business in the world — to explore their BrightStart apprenticeships and work experience schemes: the route into the firm for school leavers, where you earn a salary, work on real client projects and study towards a professional qualification at the same time.

Their people will explain what the programme involves, which business areas you can join, and what it's genuinely like to start your career there at 18. If you're weighing up an apprenticeship against university, this is the evening that gives you the information to decide.

InvestIN Work Experience Programmes

InvestIN delivers immersive work experience programmes in London for students aged 15-18. With 15 competitive careers to choose from, each programme is delivered by accomplished industry experts to equip students with a 360-degree insight into their respective fields. Autumn weekend programmes now open.

Find out more here: InvestIN | The Ultimate Work Experience – InvestIN Education

Medic Mentor Virtual Work Experience: University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

If you’re a student with aspirations of becoming a doctor, then the Medic Mentor Virtual Work Experience Programme is an incredible opportunity that you won’t want to miss. Developed in partnership with the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, this programme provides a comprehensive and immersive virtual experience that will give you a real insight into the world of medicine.

Find out more here: University Hospitals Birmingham Trust Virtual Work Experience - Medic Mentor

Met Office Careers: Virtual W/Exp - Data Science and Meteorological Phenomenon

Weather plays a crucial part in our lives - but how can we understand it better? How does data science and the Met Office play their part?

Join this Sprint with the Met Office, and use your skills to understand the relationships within data sets, and, with the help of expert professionals, explore how the Met Office uses data to understand our weather and its implications.

In this Sprint, you’ll be supported by Damian Wilson, Head of Science Learning and Development at the Met Office. Damian will take you through some key aspects of the work of the Met Office, and guide you through a task that’ll show you key patterns and relationships within data. Plus, you’ll get a chance to hear more about data science and Damian’s journey in the sector and the different career pathways available!

Find out more here: Met Office Careers: Data Science and Meteorological Phenomenon | Springpod

Law Insight Evening For Year 12 & 13 Students

Inside Mishcon de Reya 290926 – 5pm – 6.30 - online

A global law firm, one evening, and a genuine answer to “how do I actually become a solicitor?”

Most students hear about law firms. Very few get ninety minutes with one.

We're taking Year 12 and Year 13 students inside Mishcon de Reya — a global law firm with offices across the UK, Europe, Asia and the US, known for work that ends up in the news: disputes, private client, real estate, corporate and innovation. Their clients are international, and so are the matters you'd work on. Your base, though, would be London.

Their people will explain who they are, what they actually do, and how you get in — including the route plenty of students don't realise exists: a Solicitor Apprenticeship, qualifying as a solicitor while you work and earn, no university degree required.

Mishcon de Reya will walk through their programme in detail: what they look for, what the application and assessment process involves, when it opens, and the mistakes that cost strong candidates a place. If you're in Year 12 or 13 and weighing up university against earning while you qualify, this is the session to be in.

Qualify as a solicitor without a degree route
Based in London, paid from day one, on international client work

What happens on the night

- Meet the firm. Wh Mishcon de Reya are, the international work they take on, and how a global law firm is actually structured.
- Law wrkshops. Interactive, hands-on sessions that put you in the position of a trainee — the thinking and the skills the job really needs.
- A partner keynte. Straight from someone at the top of the firm — how they got there and what they'd do differently.
- Panel with their peple. Apprentices, trainees and lawyers answering your questions live — ask them anything.
- What's next. A first lok at the in-person events we're running with Mishcon de Reya this year — attend this one and you'll hear about those first.

Places are limited — sign up now here: Insight to: Mishcon de Reya Virtual Event Survey

Insight into Clifford Chance – Legal Career

Does a legal career within an international organisation sound like something you’d be interested in? Join us for an exclusive virtual event with Clifford Chance, one of the world’s leading law firms, to gain valuable insights into the profession and explore the opportunities available to kickstart your career.

Event Details:

Event: Insight to Clifford Chance

Date: Friday, 9th of October

Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm

Location: Virtual

Who Can Attend? Year 11, 12, 13 students

Why Attend?

Clifford Chance is renowned for its dynamic and inclusive culture, delivering exceptional law services to businesses of all sizes across the UK and internationally. With a global network operating in 23 countries and 34 offices worldwide, Clifford Chance offers unmatched opportunities for students to gain valuable experience in Law.

This event is a must-attend for students considering a career in law. It offers insights into life at Clifford Chance and how to join their student programmes, such as ACCESS, and their industry-leading training contracts.

Whether you're considering a career in law or already know this is the route you’d like to go down, this event offers an invaluable opportunity to explore what a career at Clifford Chance could look like and understand the pathways available to help you succeed.

Don’t miss your chance to explore exciting legal opportunities with Clifford Chance. We look forward to welcoming you!

Insight to Lloyds Banking Group

Are you ready to take your first step into the world of banking and finance?

Whether you're considering apprenticeships, work experience, internships or graduate schemes—this session is your launchpad. Lloyds Banking Group is one of the world’s biggest financial services companies with over 30 million digital customers. Find out how they help Britain prosper, what makes their culture inclusive, and how their well-known brands are driving real change.

At this event, you will participate in workshops, network with their people, and hear about all of the key application deadlines for this year’s opportunities. You’ll hear straight from senior leaders about their journey, as well as recent apprentices and graduates and the advice they wish they’d had when starting out.

In addition, all who attend this virtual event will be the first to hear about and apply for over eight in-person events at their offices all across the UK. These events take place on Saturdays, so they don’t impact time out of school or university. In-person opportunities are very rare, especially at huge banks, so this will be your head start to getting your foot in the door!

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, 6th October

Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

For: Year 11, 12 and 13 students

Location: (Zoom link provided upon registration)

Register now to secure your place here: Insight to Lloyds Banking GroupCareers Live - October Series - Virtual Event Survey

Allied Healthcare Virtual Work Experience session Y10 – Y13

Sunday 4th October, 9am - 5pm - Pain Management and Mental Health.

Once they’ve registered, students will be emailed links to their virtual work experience portals.

Please ask students to check their spam folders and mark their attendance on the day in order to receive their Work Experience Certificates.

If they give us permission to do so, we can also forward you copies of student certificates. This will help you to track their progress across the programme and assist your school in reaching all of the Gatsby Benchmarks for Ofsted.

This programme is suitable for students interested in the following careers:

Nursing
Midwifery
Paramedicine
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Dietetics
Radiography
Prosthetics and Orthotics
Speech and Language Therapy
Pharmacy

As the UCAS deadline for NHS Health Careers is in January, the sooner students begin work experience, the better. Please forward these details to your interested students so they can participate in the monthly virtual work experience days.

During the work experience day, students will follow 2 patients from their initial presentation to recovery. They will gain a unique insight into how patients interact with a variety of healthcare professionals and what it’s like to work in an NHS multidisciplinary team.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with healthcare professionals throughout each day. This will empower students to make an informed career decision and demonstrate their commitment to healthcare in their UCAS applications.

Students will receive certificates as evidence of having participated in the work experience programme. Those that complete the full 5-month programme will also be awarded Highly Commended References.

GET INTO MEDICINE CONFERENCE

Our FREE Get Into Medicine Conference is the essential starting point for students considering a career in medicine. Students and their parents will receive comprehensive guidance on the medical application process, including:

Choosing the right medical schools
UCAT preparation and application strategy
Gaining and reflecting on work experience
Personal statements and the UCAS application
Medical school interviews
Scholarships, awards and further opportunities available through Medic Mentor

Upcoming dates:

Sunday 27th September
Saturday 3rd October
Sunday 4th October

GET INTO DENTISTRY CONFERENCE

Our FREE Get Into Dentistry Conference is designed to give aspiring dentists a clear understanding of what it takes to successfully apply to dental school and how they can start preparing now.

Students and their parents will be guided through each stage of the journey, including:

Understanding the dental application process
Selecting dental schools strategically
Preparing effectively for the UCAT
Finding valuable dental work experience and reflecting on it
Building a strong UCAS application and personal statement
Preparing for dental school interviews
Accessing scholarships, awards and further Dental Mentor opportunities

Next conference: Saturday 26th September

ALLIED HEALTHCARE VIRTUAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Students interested in healthcare beyond medicine and dentistry can gain valuable experience through our NHS Allied Healthcare Virtual Work Experience Programme.

Next programme: Sunday 4th October, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Students will explore careers including:

Nursing
Midwifery
Paramedicine
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Dietetics
Radiography
Speech and Language Therapy
Prosthetics and Orthotics
Pharmacy

Throughout the day, students follow patient cases, explore multidisciplinary healthcare and develop experiences they can reflect upon in future university applications.

Insight into Apprenticeships at AWE

30^th September 6pm – 7pm online

Please see further information here: AWE | Apprenticeships

Day in the Life of an Accounting Apprentice

It’s easy to read lists of benefits on a website. But what does an accountancy apprenticeship actually feel like on a cold Tuesday in November?

We are pulling back the curtain. Join current apprentices as they share their real, unfiltered schedules, how they balance work and ACCA exams, and the crucial lessons they've learned on the job.

Reserve my place here: Webinar Calendar 26/27 — Book your place

Colleges

Activate Learning – Information for Parents and Carers

Post 16 Options

We’re running two upcoming Post-16 Options webinars for parents and carers, and we’d really appreciate your help in sharing it with families at your school.

The session will give parents and carers a clear, practical guide to post-16 options with Activate Learning, including:

The range of courses available across our campuses in Berkshire, Surrey and Oxfordshire
Entry requirements and what students need to apply
How to support their young person through the application process
How to make the most of our open events
Key application deadlines and important dates
Tips and advice to help their young person feel confident about their next steps
Our friendly Schools Team will also be on hand to answer questions and offer practical advice 😊

It’s a great opportunity for parents and carers to get all the information they need in one place, particularly if they’re starting to think about what comes after Year 11.

More details are below:
Activate Learning Parent Webinars Tickets, Wednesday 23 September • 6 PM - 6:45 PM. Book here: Activate Learning Parent Webinars Tickets, Wednesday 23 September • 6 PM - 6:45 PM GMT+1 | Eventbrite

Activate Learning Parent Webinars Tickets, Monday 28 September • 6 PM - 6:45 PM. Book here: Activate Learning Parent Webinars Tickets, Monday 28 September • 6 PM - 6:45 PM GMT+1 | Eventbrite

Details of our open days can be found here: Open Events

Sparsholt College Group

Our 183 hectare countryside campus and facilities are among the best in the country, offering experiences with technologies such as sonic tomography to detect tree decay, vertical farming that significantly reduces water usage while increasing crop yields, and our fully automated Robotic Dairy. Additionally, our tractor driving and welding simulators and immersive digital technologies offer incredible training opportunities. These resources combined with our strong relationships with over 3,000 employers, ensures that our learners leave us well prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

Please register for one of our open events below: Sparsholt | Open Days

Saturday 3 October 2026
Saturday 7 November 2026
Saturday 6 February 2027
Saturday 6 March 2027
Wednesday 28 April 2027
Thursday 10 June 2027

Universities

UCAS

UCAS Finance:

How much are tuition fees and how are you going to pay for them? Find out how to fund your studies and how to apply here: Student Finance - Student Loans And Tuition Fees

UCAS Hub

UCAS run live sessions in the UCAS Hub to help those researching their next steps and record them all. You can access them and watch at a time that works for you. Find out more here: Hub live sessions | UCAS

UCAS Discovery Exhibitions

Starting again for the South East in March, UCAS Discovery exhibitions bring together the experts to help you shortlist your options, all under one roof. Speak to UCAS experts to help you decide on your next steps. At a UCAS Discovery even you can find out about traditional degrees, apprenticeships, careers, and more.

Event dates for Spring 2026:

Twickenham: 1 March 2027
Farnborough: 19 - 20 April 2027
Brighton: 22 April 2027
Maidstone: 9 June 2027

Find out more here: UCAS Discovery Events | Meet universities, colleges and employers | UCAS

University Open Days

Find out more here: Opendays.com - university and college open days - home page

Virtual Open Days tend to run through the year however if you are wanting to visit in -person then make sure you register your interest on the university websites for alerts so you don't miss the date.

Eileen Wooller
Careers Leader

ewooller@littleheath.org.uk