Our committed team leads the Careers provision with passion and professionalism:

• SLT Careers Link – Mr Mark A Taylor
• Careers Lead – Mr Dan Willcocks
• Careers Coordinator & Advisor – Mrs Alicia Walshe-Winwood
• Assistant Head of Sixth Form – Mrs R Littler

They work closely with the pastoral team, sixth form staff, and tutors to ensure students receive personalised guidance throughout their school journey.

If you want to talk about your choices or if you have any queries about careers, higher education or work experience please contact Alicia via email

 AWalsheWinwood@plymstockschool.org.uk, or on 01752 402679. 

You can also speak directly to her by going to the Careers Centre which is located on the Humanities floor, in front of HU2. It is open from 8.30 to 16.00 every day including during break time.  

From Year 7 to Year 13, students engage in a progressive and age-appropriate Careers programme. In Year 7, students are introduced to the idea of a ‘Careers Journey’ with a focus on ‘Dreams and Aspirations’, encouraging them to aim high from the start. Year 8 builds on this through activities on career beliefs and values, employment sectors, and tackling stereotypes, helping students develop a ‘can-do attitude’.

In Year 9, Careers Education links closely to the Options process. Students explore personal qualities, employability skills, citizenship, and enterprise, supporting their decision-making and future planning. In Year 10, all students complete a meaningful Work Experience placement, complemented by interviews and employer engagement activities. Year 11 students are supported with ‘Futures’ activities, guiding them through Post-16 options, including apprenticeships, college, or Sixth Form.

In the Sixth Form, students participate in a rich Employability and Careers programme. This includes a second Work Experience placement, attendance at the Higher Education Conference, mock interviews, university visits, and tailored guidance through our Employability Group for those considering routes outside of university.

Careers@PlymstockSchool has four key strands:

• Careers Education
• Careers Information
• Careers Advice & Guidance
• Careers Enrichment

These are delivered through the Personal Development Curriculum, collapsed timetable sessions, tutor activities, and wider enrichment events. Our approach ensures all students develop the self-awareness, skills, and confidence to thrive in education, work and life. Through this, we nurture students who are kind to themselves and others, work hard to develop their strengths, and aim high to reach ambitious, realistic goals.

Enrichment events play a vital role in raising aspirations and connecting students with the world of work. Highlights include the South West Skills Conference, Women in Technology Events, STEM Activities, Medical and Legal Pathway Groups, Enterprise Challenge, You’re Hired!, and visits to Plymouth, Cardiff, Exeter and Oxford Universities.

Finally, as part of our weekly tutor programme, all students access “Careers Insights” —a structured introduction to careers across different sectors. This initiative helps to raise awareness, promote discussion, and ensure every student can see a future where they can succeed and belong.

Careers advice is a continuous and personalised process. Every student in Year 10 has a 1:1 guidance interview with our qualified Careers Advisor, followed by a review in Year 11. Additional appointments are available on request, and our Sixth Form students can access further tailored support as they consider their next steps. For those not applying to university, we offer a dedicated Employability Group focused on workplace readiness.

Work Experience is a key part of our employability offer. All students in Year 10 and Year 12 complete placements, gaining insight into real-world working environments, developing soft skills, and building confidence.