Careers Guidance
At The Holmewood School London (THSL), careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) provides students with tailored support through a structured careers programme embedded across the curriculum. Through industry workplace visits, employer workshops, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) days, and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) activities, students explore their strengths and future possibilities.
Our Core Aims
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Help students make informed decisions about learning and work based on self-understanding, capabilities, and personal aspirations.
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Develop practical skills and knowledge to navigate current labour market data and make good use of available advice.
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Build the confidence and self-advocacy needed to manage career steps and transitions into the world of work.
Personal Guidance & Support
Students receive impartial 1-to-1 guidance from a qualified Independent Careers Guidance Officer in Years 9, 11, and 13 to explore work experience and further education options. Additional ad-hoc sessions are available whenever a young person or staff member feels extra support would be beneficial. Students also have opportunities to attend regional and national careers fairs to obtain a wider range of career guidance and information. This includes employment fairs, university events and also industry specific events.
The Year 9 (14+) transition review forms the foundation of each student's individual transition plan, establishing clear annual targets to support a smooth and confident transition into adulthood. These are completed alongside the class team and Head of Inclusion and reviewed regularly, allowing students to celebrate success and progression and reflect on their next steps.
Work Experience & Practical Work Readiness
Our Careers Lead and class teams work closely with local businesses and colleges to offer vocational study choices and progression routes from 16 years of age (Year 12, where possible). Planned collaboratively with students, parents, and carers, every option is tailored to individual needs. We carefully match work experience placements to each student's unique needs, strengths, and personal interests. We currently partner with a range of community and industry employers, including Ductu, Futures for All, Black Horse Workshops, and Oxfam.
Depending on each student's needs, students can engage in year long weekly placements, whereas some undertake shorter placements, for up to 3 weeks.
Alongside hands-on workplace placements, we actively support students to develop key skills for the world of work. This includes practical guidance in:
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Interview skills and techniques
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Independent job searching
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Completing job and course application forms
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Personal presentation and workplace expectations
In addition to work placements, we provide world of work lessons alongside tailored advice on suitable further education choices. We work closely with local Further Education (FE) providers, including Barnet and Southgate College and ELATT College.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about our CEIAG programme, please contact our Careers Leader:
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Contact: Emma Cullen (Assistant Head)
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Phone: +44 (0)20 3908 8991
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Email: enquiries@thsl.org.uk
If you are a business or employer interested in offering students at THSL opportunities to gain work experience or learn from your teams, please get in touch with Emma Cullen using the contact details above.
Useful Websites
I could: An interactive website with real life career videos and information to inspire your career.
Barclays lifeskills: A lifeskills project developed by Barclays Bank with tools, tips and learning resources to help and support you in your career development.
Ask apprenticeship: is an initiative that provides free guidance, workshops, and resources to help schools and colleges educate students about apprenticeships, T Levels, and traineeships.
Caretrade - An organisation for 18-25 year olds focusing on helping young autistic people into the world of work via a structured two year programme.
LMI for all is a website where you can find information and explore current labour market trends in the UK.
Careermag for Inclusion: is a publication for those working with young people with SEND, for/with PRU, charities or special schools/colleges.
Gov.uk Apprenticeships: A government website designed to help you find an apprenticeship programme in the UK, including employers who are ‘Disability Confident’.
Access to work: A government website with information that will help you get support in work if you have a disability or a health condition.
The National Careers Service is a government website that provides careers information, advice and guidance.
Additional policy and guidance can be found here:
Careers and Work Experience Policy -
Careers and Work Experience Policy - Updated January 26
The Holmewood School Careers Programme 2026 - 27
2026 - 2027 THSL Careers Programme
Work Experience Case Studies
The THSL Week Long Work Experience Placement - Building Confidence
Factory Studios
Student X completed a week-long placement at a multi-award-winning sound design and audio facility in London. Student X gained hands-on experience in sound design and music, writing an original script, recording sound and voice elements, and editing their own original piece. Leaving with an impressive audio track for their portfolio.
This experience has been integral to building X’s confidence. They are using this work to develop their skills and gain vital industry knowledge to support their application to study Film.
The THSL Internship Experience - Exploring Career Options
Internal Gardner Placement
X applied for an internal gardener position one of a number of internal placements THSL offers to its students. Working across the upper campus, X maintained and managed a wide range of garden areas. Operating independently, they not only maintained sections of the grounds, but also improved them. In particular, X did an incredible job working within our on-site forest, transforming overgrown areas into a beautiful space for students and staff to use throughout the summer term.
This experience was vital to ensure X could develop their skills and work towards securing a Destination with their Gardening and Agriculture course.
The Long Term Placement Experience - Increasing Self Belief and Self Esteem
City Farm
X has a strong interest in animals, so we worked closely with their family and support staff to secure a weekly work experience placement at a local city farm. Their roles included cleaning, feeding, and grooming the animals. Although X began the placement with full support from THSL staff, they very quickly became independent. X grew in confidence and developed key skills essential for their desired career working with animals. At the end of the placement, the farm staff contacted us to express how impressed they were with X’s growth in confidence, independence, and task management over the course of the year.
This experience allowed the student to put skills and knowledge into practice over a long term placement. This will not only help with future job applications but also within their career path of working with animals.