Careers at Kettering Buccleuch Academy

 Throughout key stages 3 and 4, students at KBA engage with a comprehensive and structured careers programme, complemented by a series of events and assemblies designed to enhance their understanding of the extensive range of post-16 pathways available, including further education, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities within the local community. 

Throughout the academic year, KS3 students will take part in 12 dedicated ‘drop-down’ sessions designed to help them explore and gain a deeper understanding of future pathways, careers, and workplace opportunities. These sessions are also integrated into the Year 10 careers curriculum. An overview of the KS3 and KS4 drop-down sessions can be viewed below. 

At the beginning of each academic year, all students complete a Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ). The insights gathered from these questionnaires shape the development of a personalised IAG programme. Additionally, feedback from parents plays a vital role in reviewing and refining the programme. 

At KBA, all students receive impartial careers guidance by the age of 16 and a further session by the age of 18.

These sessions are delivered by Prospects and conducted as 1:2:1 meetings. At the end of the meeting, students leave with an action plan which is logged on Unifrog. Parents are invited to attend these meetings with the students consent. 

At KBA, all students are provided with impartial careers guidance by the age of 16, followed by an additional session by the age of 18. These sessions are delivered by Prospects through individual one-to-one meetings. Upon completion, each student receives a personalised action plan, which is recorded on Unifrog. Parents may attend these meetings with the consent of the student. 

Careers guidance drop-in sessions are available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtime and are open to students in all year groups. 

Since September 2013, all young people in England are required to remain in education, employment, or training until at least the age of 18. Schools are responsible for reporting confirmed student destinations to the local authority following GCSE results - this is known as the ‘September Guarantee’.

While some apprenticeship opportunities are available at age 16, many employers now prefer to recruit at 17 or 18, when students have gained more qualifications, developed employability skills, and built greater awareness of the workplace. For this reason, we encourage all students to explore local apprenticeship options while also securing a place in further education to strengthen their future prospects.

Our key stage 5 programme equips students with the tools to explore and evaluate the most suitable university, apprenticeship, or employment pathways. In the Autumn term of Year 12, students complete a post-18 intentions form, which helps us to create a personalised programme of opportunities and support.

All key stage 5 Students can request a 1:1 guidance appointment at any time, with easily accessible appointment times to sign up to. Our dedicated UCAS co-ordinator, our expert apprenticeship/careers lead, as well as tutors and academic mentors are on hand to support students with research, application writing and interview preparation.

KBA Sixth Form staff will guide students through the application process, including:

• Researching courses, universities, apprenticeships (including Degree Apprenticeships) and career related opportunities
• Organising work experience and volunteering
• Writing UCAS personal statements, CVs and letters of application
• Preparing for interviews, online assessments, and interview scenarios

All Year 12 students take part in a one-week work experience week in the summer term of Year 12 which provides essential skills and experiences to support their Post 18 applications. This meaningful work experience helps to further build students’ confidence, develop employability skills, and gain insight into the workplace, which are all key steps in preparing for university or employment.

In addition to this, there is a rich programme of guest speakers, workshops and educational trips to complement our Key Stage 5 IAG offer, covering a broad range of personal, social, health and careers topics.

Once UCAS applications are submitted - either by the early UCAS deadline of 15th  October 2025 or the main deadline of 14th January 2026 - students will need to complete accommodation and student finance applications. Both students/parents and carers will be fully supported with this by the KBA Sixth Form team. 

To begin an A Level programme of study in the KBA Sixth Form, students must have achieved at least 5 GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and Mathematics.

To begin a Level 3 programme of study in the KBA Sixth Form, students must have achieved at least 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics.

Some subjects may have additional entry requirements based on specific GCSE grades. For full details, please visit our dedicated Sixth Form admissions section, where entry requirements are detailed in our prospectus.

Northamptonshire has a proud heritage rooted in footwear manufacturing and agriculture - industries that have shaped the region for generations. While these traditional sectors remain part of the local identity, shifts in the employment landscape have sometimes led to a perception of limited opportunity among young people and their families. 

The region is now home to a vibrant and evolving economy. Logistics, engineering (especially motorsport-related), retail, and food and drink production are thriving. These industries offer a wealth of formal and informal opportunities for students to engage with the world of work. 

With strong transport links and several world-class universities within an hour of Kettering Buccleuch Academy, our students are well-positioned to explore a wide range of career pathways and raise their aspirations.

At KBA, we are committed to providing students with meaningful “Encounters with employers and employees” (Gatsby Benchmark 5). A key part of this is inviting former students to share their career journeys, helping current learners understand the value of employability skills, workplace confidence, and career awareness.

We welcome collaboration across all sectors with local and national businesses and organisations. If you or your organisation would like to support our students and contribute to our students’ growth and development, we would be delighted to hear from you.  

Local Labour Market Information can be found here