Careers Bulletin – December 2025
Packed with events, insights, and resources to help pupils and parents navigate the next steps with confidence.
On Tuesday 11th November BBC Sport Journalist and Old Kimoltonian Sarah Dawkins talking about the pace, variety and responsibilty of reporting live on sport.
What is a career?
A career is a life-long journey of learning, skills acquisition, knowledge, experiences and opportunities. At Kimbolton School, we are very proud to be an integral part of your child’s career journey, supporting and encouraging them as they grow and develop throughout the Senior School and beyond.
Career ideas
At Kimbolton, we are committed to working hand-in-hand with pupils, parents, staff, governors, and both local and national employers to build a careers programme that truly inspires and equips our young people to be career ready when they leave us.
Your voice matters — if you have feedback, ideas, or suggestions to help shape the future of our careers programme, we would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts with Mrs Southern
Christmas gift – Science advent calendar!
Countdown to Christmas with a fun and engaging, interactive, science advent calendar featuring a 10-minute science activity, ‘What if? science question, keyword, cracker joke and link to a resource for diving deeper, for each day of advent. Great for all ages from 11+
Careers questions to talk about together at hom
Christmas cracker careers questions
What questions could help your child explore careers over Christmas?
Interests and values
- What sort of work environment do you think would suit you—busy, calm, creative, structured?
- Do you prefer working with people, with ideas, with technology, or with practical hands-on tasks?
- Do you want to work inside or outside?
- Are there issues or causes you feel strongly about where we can explore different jobs?
Exploring possibilities
- Have you come across any careers recently that sounded interesting?
- What jobs have you heard about that you’d like to learn more about?
- Are there industries or organisations you’re curious about?
- Would you like to try work experience, volunteering, or a short course to test an interest?
- What small step could you take next to explore something new – work experience, volunteering or a short course to test an interest?
You can always use XELLO with your child at home. This is a great way for them to think about what makes them unique, their strengths, what they value and what they want from a job or career. It helps keep lots of doors open and make connections between different industries and job roles.
Career related events in December
Tuesday 2nd December The evening will feature a short presentation on the University and College Application Service (UCAS), designed to help parents and students understand how the system works and the key deadlines involved. A letter has already been sent home to all parents with further details. Following the presentation, there will be individual meetings with subject teachers and bespoke videos for the different pathways. . For additional information, please contact Mrs Taylor.
Friday 5th December Future Friday Breakfasts – 08.00-08.40h Venue to be confirmed – This will focus on Business and the careers that are associated with different areas of business. Please sign up HERE
Focus on Business
“One of my key aims is to make the course as real and relevant as possible, inspiring students to become problem-solvers and solution-makers. I want them to engage with meaningful case studies that build strong commercial awareness and a genuine understanding of how Business operates in the real world. The Tycoons programme also supports this goal really effectively.” Mr Pell, Head of Business and Economics
This months Future Friday Breakfast is on Business. It is on the Friday 5th December 08.00-08.40h (venue to be confirmed) for all parents and pupils who are interested in how to consider careers surrounding Business. Sign up HERE
Business A Level continues to be a very popular subject choice at Kimbolton, supported by a team of enthusiastic teachers who help pupils recognise the skills they are developing and explore how their understanding of business principles can shape their future.
This year, Mr Pell has joined us to be Head of Business and Economics and whose fresh energy, and enthusiasm have already made a positive impact. He is committed to helping every pupil achieve their full potential and has lots of new and exciting ideas for the future of the subject.
A key focus for Mr Pell is encouraging independence and self-motivation among business pupils. One way he is achieving this is by promoting learning beyond the classroom through Coursera, an excellent virtual work experience and business course platform. Pupils can explore a wide range of courses that not only deepen their knowledge of business but also enhance their university applications and future career prospects by demonstrating engagement in these valuable super-curricular opportunities.
Find out more about how you can get into business through different routes:
What can I do with a business management degree?
What can I do with a human resource management degree?
What can I do with a marketing degree?
Degree apprenticeships in business
Employment routes into business are called school leaver jobs or trainee positions. You can find these on jobs websites such as:
Spotlight on Psychology
Psychology is our new A level subject this year and it is proving very popular with Mrs Elaine Lomer-Wood at the helm! Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour—how people think, feel, and act. It’s like being a detective of the brain, discovering why we do what we do. If you are wondering what studying psychology involves here is a quick summary:
- The Brain and Nervous System: Learn how the brain works and how it controls behaviour.
- Memory and Learning: Explore how we remember, forget, and learn new things.
- Emotions and Motivation: Understand why we feel happy, sad, angry, or excited.
- Social Behaviour: Discover why people behave differently in groups or with friends.
- Mental Health: Study conditions like anxiety, depression, and how to support wellbeing.
- Research and Experiments: Gain skills in conducting experiments, surveys, and analysing data.
There are lots of skills you gain from studying Psychology that are all part of our Learning DNA at Kimbolton such as:
- Critical Thinking: Evaluating evidence and spotting what really matters.
- Problem-Solving: Understanding behaviour helps you find practical solutions.
- Communication Skills: Explaining complex ideas clearly, both written and verbal.
- Empathy and Emotional Awareness: Seeing things from other people’s perspectives.
- Data Analysis: Interpreting graphs, statistics, and research findings.
Exploring careers that use Psychology:
- Clinical Psychologist / Counsellor: Helping people manage mental health and life challenges.
- Educational Psychologist: Supporting children and young people to thrive in school.
- Occupational Psychologist: Improving workplace wellbeing and performance.
- Sports Psychologist: Helping athletes manage stress and boost performance.
- Market Research Analyst / Consumer Behaviour Expert: Using psychology to understand shoppers.
- Forensic Psychologist: Working with the criminal justice system to understand behaviour.
- Human Resources / Coaching / Leadership Roles: Applying psychology to people management.
For most careers that are directly related to psychology you will need a degree. You can find an overview of psychology degree courses here and what you can do with a psychology degree here.
Psychology connects to other subjects and can be studied as a dual degree course at university to give more options upon leaving and enjoying more than one subject that you love. Here are some great examples:
- Business: Understand consumer choices, leadership, and teamwork – possible university courses to consider
- Sport: Boost performance, motivation, and mental resilience – possible university courses to consider
- English / Languages: Analyse communication, storytelling, and persuasion – possible university courses to consider
- STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Maths): Study research methods, data analysis, and cognitive neuroscience – possible university courses to consider
- Art / Music: Explore creativity, emotional expression, and audience responses – possible university courses to consider
Why is Psychology fun and useful in every day life?
- It’s full of “aha” moments—like why you can’t remember your password but can remember song lyrics.
- You can experiment, observe people, and test theories in everyday life.
- It helps you understand yourself and others—useful at school, work, and home.
- Skills and knowledge gained are versatile, opening doors across careers and industries.
In short studying psychology isn’t just about the mind—it’s about understanding people, solving problems, and making the world a better place and it is connected to so many other different subjects and useful in numerous different job roles. It is interesting and a very popular A level choice and you can read about studying Psychology at Kimbolton here
Volunteering, virtual work and career experiences
This month the Lunchtime Insight Workshop Tuesday 23rd September 13.00-13.30h in the Careers Hub, for all Senior School pupils, focusses on volunteering and work experience. Sign up HERE
Getting involved in volunteering or work experience is one of the best ways to prepare for life beyond school. Not only does it give you practical, hands-on skills (like teamwork, organisation, and problem-solving), it also helps you build confidence, communication, and resilience—qualities that employers and universities are always looking for. In this workshop, pupils will learn why these experiences matter, how they can shape your future career options, and discover practical ways to find opportunities both in school and in the wider community.
Amazon career tours
Virtual on demand
These programmes give students real insights into cloud computing, robotics, logistics, sustainability and more – straight from the teams at Amazon.
Pathways into Accountancy
LIVE webinar – Tuesday 2nd December 18.30-19.30h
Interested in accountancy but not sure where to start?
From early career steps to international opportunities, ACCA professionals will share where they started and where they are now – showcasing the many routes into a career in accountancy.
A day in the life of an accountant apprentice
LIVE webinar – Tuesday 9th December 18.30-19.30h
Over 50% of FTSE 100 CEOs started in finance but accountancy is about so much more than spreadsheets. Discover how today’s apprentices work on real business problems, collaborate with teams, and develop skills that open doors around the world.
Inside the beat – careers at Sony Music
LIVE webinar – Wednesday 3rd December 18.00-19.00h
Have you ever wondered what kinds of jobs exist behind the music you love? Join us for Inside the Beat: Careers at Sony Music, an exclusive online insight event where you’ll discover what it really takes to make the music industry move.
From marketing chart-topping artists and designing eye-catching visuals, to scouting the next big sound or building global digital campaigns, you’ll hear directly from Sony Music executives about their roles, their journeys, and the exciting projects they bring to life every day.
This is your chance to demystify the music business, uncover the wide range of career paths available, and learn how you could start your own journey with one of the world’s most iconic entertainment companies.
- Hear directly from Sony Music execs in Marketing, Digital, A&R, Creative, and Brand Partnerships
- Discover what their day-to-day looks like
- Get inspired by the projects and campaigns that bring your favourite artists to life
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship
LIVE webinar – Wednesday 3rd December 18.00-19.30h
An informative virtual event about our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA). Hear from degree apprentice police officers, partner forces and apprentice experts.
At these events, attendees will:
- Learn more about the application process for the PCDA
- Hear about an apprentice’s experience on the PCDA
- Speak to representatives from ARU’s partner forces
- Take part in a Q&A, and ask questions about the PCDA and policing
They also be running sessions on the following dates:
📅 Thursday 22nd January 6pm
📅 Tuesday 3rd March 6pm
Please contact Emma Hillier if you want more information Emma.Hillier@aru.ac.uk
Allied health care careers – paediatrics
Live webinar – Sunday 7th December 09.00-17.00h
During the work experience day, students will follow 2 patients from their initial presentation to recovery. They will gain a unique insight into how patients interact with a variety of healthcare professionals and what it’s like to work in an NHS multidisciplinary team.
Careers in animation
LIVE webinar – Tuesday 16th December 16.00-19.00h
Meet veteran 3D Animator and Storyboard Artist Kevin Richards at an inspiring webinar on his career in animation. He’ll talk about his transition from 2D to 3D and give practical insights on how to develop creative intuition for aspiring artists.
NEW NHS virtual work experience platform
Virtual on demand
A brand new free platform consists of resources which have been designed for young people aged 13 and over who want to learn more about their chosen profession, get university application tips or simply find out more about all the rewarding careers on offer in the health sector.
ERIC – creative careers information
Virtual on demand
Team ERIC – 150+ speakers inspiring young people to discover and explore creative careers, part of Discover! Creative Careers Month. It’s been a busy couple of weeks with some fantastic sessions delivered, and even more exciting events to come, featuring: Burger king, University of Arts London, Addobe, Burberry, Penguin Random House… and LOADS more!!! Each lasts just 20 minutes, so you can dip in and out of sessions.
First and Second Form virtual work experience
Virtual on demand
Springpod have launched Springville for First and Second pupils– It is a fun virtual interactive town map where they have the opportunity to learn about different sectors and careers and hear from experts. Pupils can learn about careers at the arts Centre, airport, hospital, law courts, tech office and more. There are five short steps to enter for free.
“What actually is virtual work experience?”
In case you have the same question here is a brief explanation.
Virtual work experience lets pupils explore different careers online. They take part in interactive activities, hear from professionals, and complete tasks to build skills and confidence. It’s a safe and flexible way for pupils to learn about the world of work from home. These experiences are designed in collaboration with leading employers and include video content, interactive activities, and the chance to receive a certificate upon completion. They vary in length from 30 minutes to 10h on average. Sometimes they are live, but mostly On Demand.
These are a brilliant use of time for any pupils over the summer holidays! We recommend Springpod for a great range of opportunities with a wide range of companies. Older students may also be interested in The Forage, which is online work experience with large corporate companies and includes tasks and feedback within the experience.
Volunteering opportunities for all
Volunteering is brilliant to boost your soft skills and to benefit your community. Here are some good websites for you to explore to find the right volunteering for you.
3. Cambridgeshire County Council Volunteering
4. Get Volunteering Cambridgeshire
7. Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service (CCVS)
9. National Trust – Cambridgeshire
10. Caring Together
Check these websites for free webinars in December
General work experience websites:
Springpod – work experience opportunities both on demand and also live
The Forage – online work experience with large corporate companies – tasks and interaction
OpenLearn Courses – a really good site for courses and particularly ones that relate to specific jobs or further learning courses.
Alison Courses– lots of free short courses.
Where can I get more careers advice and information?
Careers Resources Page – General information for current families at Kimbolton School
Any student from First Form to Upper 6th who has questions about their career journey can arrange a careers appointment with Mrs Southern by filling in this form or speaking to their tutor.
Parents are also encouraged to contact Mrs Southern if you have questions related to your child’s careers education or planning. Contact Mrs Taylor for university-related queries.
- Careers by subject and industry areas please use XELLO. Use the Explore tab at the top and click on Careers. This will bring up an excellent search engine.
- Degree apprenticeship listing A-Z
- What you can do with your university subject degree?
- University open days University subject tasters and events
- Aspire guide to careers, further education and university
- Degree Apprenticeship information
- Up-to-date information on degree apprenticeship vacancies around the UK
- Degree Apprenticeship Academy – Contact Mrs Southern for more information
OKs and local business partnerships with Kimbolton School
At Kimbolton, we greatly value the opportunities our pupils have to engage with professionals from a wide range of industries and careers. These interactions help pupils broaden their horizons, develop aspirations, and gain valuable insights to inform their future goals beyond Kimbolton.
We are continually working to strengthen our connections with both our Old Kimboltonians (OKs) and local employers who generously give their time to support our careers events. In 2026, for example, we will be hosting a variety of activities including speed networking, mock interviews, and enterprise days for different year groups.
Mrs Southern, our Careers Adviser, is actively involved with two local networking groups, fostering mutually supportive relationships that benefit both our pupils and the local business community.
If you are a parent who owns a local business or would like to learn more about these networking groups—and then in turn perhaps get involved in supporting our pupils—please see the information below and get in touch directly with the organisers.
THREE SHIRES Networking Group – First Wednesday of the month 10.30-13.00h
Three Shires is a lively and welcoming business network run by an OK. It brings together everyone from sole traders to thriving companies across Kimbolton and the surrounding villages. Now celebrating its tenth year, the group is a vibrant mix of talents — from a micro-baker and cathedral organist to lawyers, artists, website designers, and virtual assistants. Members range from seasoned managing directors to ambitious apprentices and undergraduates, all sharing ideas, experiences, and a passion for what they do.
Everyone welcome, small charge to include tea, coffee and occasionally champagne!
For more information please contact johnhitchin@btinternet.com/07702 597 670
KIMBOLTON CONNECTS Networking Group – Third Wednesday of the month 19.00-21.00h
Kimbolton Connects is a friendly local networking group for business owners, professionals, and community leaders in and around Kimbolton. Meeting monthly at local venues in the evening where members share ideas, build connections, and support one another in a relaxed setting. It’s a supportive community whose members actively network both within and beyond the group, always eager to help and champion one another’s businesses.
As a lockout group (one member per profession), we always welcome visitors who would like to see how the group works and connect with others locally.
One of the organisers, a Kimbolton parent who runs the Kimbolton Online website, has created a page featuring parent-owned businesses — also a great place to join or show your support.
For more information please email hello@kimbolton.online