Careers & Next Steps
Careers at Kelford.
At Kelford School we aim to raise aspirations and widen horizons for all our students, allowing every learner to leave Kelford with confidence and the skills needed to progress into adulthood and make a positive contribution to society. Careers at Kelford School focuses on the next steps of all students allowing them to be fulfilled with the way in which they spend their time, whether this be employment, voluntary work, further education or social care. Through the curriculum we aim to build the skills needed, allowing students to be active listeners, develop communication skills and problem-solving skills. We aim to develop the skills needed to work as part of a team, build resilience, become leaders and have aspirations for themselves.
Students follow a pathway tailored to their individual needs and required outcomes. These pathways include a challenging set of objectives to ensure the interests and ambitions of each student are met and fully achievable. In Sixth Form, work is completed in collaboration with the young person and their families through the Person-Centred Review Process. Targets are set to build Social, Independence and Employability Skills in line with Preparation for Adulthood outcomes.
A dedicated team within School, FE and Vocational Expertise work alongside each learner to ensure that goals (dreams, hopes, aspirations) are identified, planned and reached. Students have access to local college links on a regular basis along with links to social care settings to prepare students for their next steps. Links with the Job Centre Plus and Careers advisors strengthen the advice and guidance offered. Tailored sessions are accessed by individuals and small groups to develop work skills and provide work experience off-site.
Our Careers' curriculum is designed to develop the knowledge and skills for adulthood and to explore accessible career opportunities to enable the best outcomes for all. Through work-related learning lessons, students will take part in enterprise projects with an emphasis on how a venture is planned and implemented as well as the product/service outcome. This allows for a broader range of skills to be experienced and gained.
Throughout KS4 and KS5, careers advice is offered throughout each year with events allowing families to come in and chat with the careers lead, careers advisor and transition worker, allowing them to plan for next steps. Students are supported to learn about the Local Labour Market information and have access to work experience and career fair visits. Students are supported to work towards qualifications to ensure positive destinations are achieved for all.
Key Careers Staff @ Kelford
Anne Marie Hepworth
Careers Lead
Suzanne Glarvey
Transitions support
Sarah Richardson
Careers Advisor.
Anne-Marie is based at The View Campus. She is available to discuss all aspects of Careers Education at Kelford school with parents, staff and young people.
As Careers Lead, I am here to support students to think about their future, whether this be employment, voluntary work, social care or further education.
Anne-Marie can be contacted on: ahepworth@nexusmat.org.
Suzanne is responsible for supporting students in our post 16 provisions who are looking to transition to social care provisions. Suzanne works at both Kelford and The View sites. Suzanne is available to speak to parents, students and teachers to offer guidance on social care and community options within the local area. Suzanne can support with transitions from post 16 and will support students to access local social groups and further education settings.
Suzanne can be contacted on: sglarvey@nexusmat.org
Sarah is our schools Careers Advisor who works with students in Year 9 and above. Sarah works across all sites at Kelford School. Sarah will be present at careers events held across Kelford sites to offer support to students and parents/carers.
Sarah can be contacted on: srichardson@nexusmat.org
Careers and work opportunities.
Careers and Work opportunities on offer include:
- Travel training
- Land based studies
- Hair and Beauty
- Catering
- Horticulture
- Links with other FE providers
- Links with other schools within the trust.
Links with businesses and employers.
There is a dedicated Careers lead within school and Careers advisor. The links with employers and vocational providers has been strengthened through the involvement in network groups and by dedicating time to developing links and relationships with external agencies and employers. The ethos of the school encourages people to look within the community to provide specialist support, knowledge and information to pupils and teachers. Teachers constantly look to the community for ways of enriching learning and making it real for the pupils. Careers week provides an opportunity for pupils across school to be immersed within different themes and learn about the world of work, both through educational visits, guest visitors and speaker.
We have strong links with both large and small businesses such as:
- Wentworth Woodhouse
- Heeley Farm
- Willows Construction.
- Titians Rugby club.
Careers events 2025-26
Next Steps Event - 23rd October 2025
This will allow families to be introduced to the careers lead, transition worker and school’s careers advisor. It will allow families to have the opportunity to engage with parents who have previously had students at school allowing them to ask questions that they may have. Families will have the opportunity to chat with staff about further education and social care routes for after Kelford.
Active Fusion- Held in college on a Monday morning.
12-week structured programme: 6 weeks of life skills and employability development, followed by 6 weeks of real-world experience
Weekly sessions combining sport, mentoring, and leadership development
Recognised qualifications: including Sports Leaders Level 1 and " I Can Lead"
1:1 mentoring and group coaching
Workshops with local businesses, including mock interviews and CV support
Hospitality Take over event - Friday, 26th September 2025, at the Sheffield Wednesday Football Ground.
Students will have the opportunity to visit Landmarks college, meet staff and look at what they offer as a potential next step moving forward.
LEAF Careers and Jobs Fair - 22nd of October 2025 at Magna
LEAF provides a great opportunity for students and jobseekers to find out about vacancies and career choices in the Rotherham area. Students can chat with exhibitors about career pathways, current and upcoming vacancies as well as volunteering opportunities. Students can also discuss potential career routes and apprenticeships/internships with businesses.
Visit to Dearne Valley college - 11th October 2025
Visit to Dearne Valley college, students will have the opportunity to see what courses are on offer, what support is available and meet staff.
North star - Wednesday 19th November
Bringing young people, educators, scientists and businesses together to explore the future of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) in the South Yorkshire Region.
Visit to Rotherham College - 4th December 2025
Visit to Rotherham college, students will have the opportunity to see what courses are on offer, what support is available and meet staff.
Job ready Prep Programme - Tuesday 3rd February 2026
6-week Job Ready prep programme. This will allow students to develop their self-awareness, practice skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving. Work on developing interview skills, CV writing and looking at different jobs that are on offer in the local community.
Careers week - Monday 2nd March 2026
Students from across all sites will take part in careers week with a focus on planning for their futures; students will take part in different activities. Opportunities available will be work experience on and off site, encounters with different employers, looking at and discussing local labour markets. Visits to social care providers and immersive careers days.
Please contact Anne-Marie Hepworth if you have specific careers event queries.
What the school does to review published information
There is robust curriculum review and evaluation each year as well as a gap analysis that is completed in line with the Gatsby benchmarks and compass tool for reviewing provision and action planning.
See the Nexus Careers Policy below, which applies to all academies within the Trust.