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CAREERS NEWSLETTER

Autumn Term 2026

DIARY DATES

InvestIN - Free Online Career Workshops for Students Aged 15–18

For students who are thinking about their future careers, InvestIN is offering a series of free, interactive online workshops to help them explore different career paths and gain an insight into the world of work.

Taking place on various evenings between 10 and 19 November 2026, the workshops will cover six different careers, giving students the opportunity to hear directly from industry professionals and discover what day-to-day life is really like in their chosen field.

These one-hour events, held at 6.00pm, offer an insight into what day-to-day life is really like in a range of professions, including Medicine (10 November), Banking (11 November), Law (12 November), Engineering (17 November), Psychology (18 November) and AI Specialist careers (19 November). 

Students who participate will also receive a certificate recognising their involvement.

Find out more and register for a free workshop at https://investin.org/pages/free-events.

Click here for flyer.

Buckinghamshire College Open Days

The Buckinghamshire College Group are inviting students in Years 10 and 11 to Open days at their campuses in Aylesbury, Wycombe and Amersham.

During the Open Events, students will:

  • Tour our campuses and see the fantastic facilities we have to offer in Aylesbury.
  • Meet and chat with our friendly and experienced tutors who are here to support your journey.
  • Experience college life by taking part in engaging demonstrations and learn more about the courses we offer.
  • Get expert advice and guidance on courses, student support, funding and how to apply.

These events are extremely valuable in helping students make informed decisions about their futures. While attending an Open Event isn’t a requirement before applying for a course (you can apply online anytime), it’s a fantastic opportunity to see what life at Buckinghamshire College Group is all about.

Full details about all Open Days, including courses on offer at each campus, can be found by clicking on the applicable links below:

Aylesbury

Amersham

Wycombe

Virtual Employabilty Skills Workshops

Sainsbury's are running a series of webinars for students in Years 11-13 to help them gain retail industry insight, explore careers and Sainsbury's, and discover apprenticeships and careers pathways.

Full information, including registration details HERE.

Career Days

Careers Days are offering the following Live Online Careers Experience days for all students aged 13-18 this autumn.

November

  • Saturday 7 - Architecture
  • Saturday 21 - Engineering
  • Saturday 28 - Law

December

  • Saturday 5 - Business

Each Career Day combines career and university guidance with live virtual work experience, giving students a practical insight into the profession before making decisions about their future.

All events are live online, and include a personalised certificate of completion.

Full details and book:https://www.careerdays.co.uk/

Careers in Healthcare

Buckinghamshire New University and Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust invite you to discover an exciting healthcare career you may never have heard of: the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP).

Ever wondered what really happens behind the doors of an operating theatre? Or thought about a career in healthcare where you can make a genuine difference to people at some of the most important moments of their lives?

This interactive experience evening will introduce you to the world of the ODP, a vital member of the surgical team, caring for patients before, during and after surgery.

  • Tuesday 17 November 2026
  • 6pm–7.30pm
  • Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury
  • Students in Year 10 and above

What you’ll experience:

  • Step inside a real operating theatre and see the environment where ODPs work.
  • Take part in a simulated theatre experience and get a taste of being part of the surgical team.
  • Find out what studying and working as an ODP is really like, with insights from current practitioners, students and graduates.

Book your free place: Step inside the operating theatre - TicketSource (places are limited)

Explore NHS Careers – Free Talks for Students

Students in Years 7–13 are invited to attend a series of free NHS careers talks at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, offering the chance to meet healthcare professionals and explore the wide range of careers available within the NHS.

The sessions will help students learn about different career pathways, discover roles they may not have considered and gain useful insight for future college, university and job applications.

Venue: Lecture Theatre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Time: 5:00–7:00pm

Upcoming talks include:

  • 2 December 2026 – Allied Health Professions
  • 11 February 2027 – Pharmacy
  • 10 March 2027 – Biomedical Science
  • 28 April 2027 – Nursing and Midwifery
  • 24 June 2027 – Psychology
  • 8 July 2027 – Medicine (Year 9 and above)

Places are free, but booking is required. Tickets are usually released a term in advance through Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust’s Ticket Tailor booking page.

For more information and to book tickets: 

Get ready to apply for NHS work experience

Thinking about a career in healthcare? Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is offering local work experience placements for the spring term, giving students first-hand experience of the NHS and the chance to explore the many roles that contribute to patient care, both clinical and non-clinical.

Applications open on Friday 18 December 2026 and close on Sunday 3 January 2027, so keep an eye on the dates over the Christmas break.

Find out more and apply: careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/bright-futures/ (open to students in Years 12 and 13 only)

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS

Click on the button below to find out when Universities and Colleges are hosting Open Days this year:

Bucks Skills Hub

For careers guidance and information, visit the Bucks Skills
Hub where you will find many opportunities advertised and a wealth of careers information and guidance available.

Pathways for Year 7 and 8

At the Aylesbury Vale Academy, we support our parents with all the difficult decisions their children need to make regarding their future pathways and careers.

If you feel unsure about the different options your child will have after Year 11, please watch the YouTube video clip we shared with our Year 7 and 8 learners, which you can find here.

The Bucks Skills Hub also has a vast amount of information available for learners and parents.

Unifrog

Unifrog is an innovative online platform designed to streamline the post-secondary education and career exploration process for students at the Aylesbury Vale Academy, offering a comprehensive "one-stop shop" experience for parents and learners alike. This platform serves as a centralised hub where students can explore a multitude of opportunities, including university courses, apprenticeships, college programs, and career pathways, all within a single, user-friendly interface.

For parents, Unifrog provides invaluable insights into their child's educational and career journey, allowing them to track progress, access resources, and support decision-making. From researching different pathways to organising application materials and tracking deadlines, Unifrog empowers parents to actively engage in their child's academic and professional development. With its wide range of features and resources, Unifrog is an indispensable tool for parents looking to navigate the complexities of post-secondary education and career planning alongside their child at AVA. Every learner in the school has been given a unifrog login.

If learners cannot remember their login details, please contact careers@theacademy.me.

Army Careers 

If you are considering a career in the army, please have a look the flyers below to find out more about routes in to the service, including apprenticeships and qualifying college courses. 

Army Apprenticeships

Army Careers

Pro:Direct Academy Bucks

The Pro:Direct Academy Bucks is a one or two year programme where footballers will train, play and study full-time.

Players will train to compete in the Tactic League & Cup & ESFA Superleage Cup with exceptional players will receiving opportunities to highlight their ability through our partners Pro:Direct Academy – PDA Eleven and PDA Regional squads all of whom receive the chance to play against professional academy teams, and showcase games with scouts in attendance. Exceptional players will also be signposted to to semi-professional club at Step 2 – 5.

Players will study with a Level 2 or 3 BTEC qualification alongside their football.

You can find out more here.

Certificate of Commitment for the Careers Standard

We are delighted to announce that Aylesbury Vale Academy has been awarded the Certificate of Commitment for the Careers Standard, demonstrating our dedication to providing exceptional careers guidance and opportunities for our students.

This prestigious recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to preparing our students for their future careers by offering comprehensive support, resources, and experiences to help them make informed decisions about their pathways beyond school.

Through this commitment, we aim to equip our students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. We are proud of this achievement and remain steadfast in our mission to empower our students to achieve their full potential.

We will continue to work hard and ensure we obtain the full certificate of the careers quality mark standard.

General Careers information

At the AVA we strive to provide our learners and parents with as much information as possible about careers and the different options young people have when they leave secondary school. As part of that provision please find belows articles that can support you, as a parent, with the important decisions your child faces regarding their future career. If you have any questions or if you would like to
arrange a meeting to discuss future options, please feel free to contact careers@theacademy.me.

Careers Newsletter (SKILLS HUB)

Monthly Careers Newsletter

To all parents, especially those of whose children are in Key Stage 4 and 6th Form, the link below is of a comprehensive careers monthly newsletter for parents and carers. You’ll also find events, activities and on university, work experience, understanding the job market, skills, Labour Market Information (LMI) and everything you need to help prepare young people to enter the fast-changing world of work. The important events for your attention are: South Central Ambulance Services virtual recruitment open day, PwC Flying star degree programmes, KPMG Apprenticeships, The Bucks Skills Show and a National Apprenticeship Week event. 

2026-2027

Click HERE for publications.

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