2026 GCSE Timetable - Download a copy here.

Key Dates:

Last Day of Term: Friday 22 May

Half Term:  Monday 25 May - Friday 29 May

Careers and Aspirations

Combining Work and Study Options

For some people, working while learning is the best next step for their education. Click here to explore the options available for students at The Portsmouth Academy. 

Discover Local Colleges

There are a plethora of colleges available across Portsmouth and the surrounding areas for students at The Portsmouth Academy. We have listed those that may be of interest to pupils studying at our school. 

Post-16 Careers and Aspirations Options

Explore the variety of further education options available to pupils who leave The Portsmouth Academy. There is something for everyone, from T-levels and apprenticeships to vocational and technical qualifications. 

See Next Steps and Post-16 Resources Here

By clicking through to this page, you will be presented with links that will allow you to download resources to support you with your post-secondary next steps. 

Work Experience

Work experience opportunities are managed internally at The Portsmouth Academy. We have strong relationships with companies in the community and support our students with their placements. 

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is an effective way to earn money while you are learn. They provide students with the skills and knowledge required for their career. Browse apprenticeships available on the Government website.

At The Portsmouth Academy, we believe careers education is a crucial part of a young person’s development.

By giving students impartial and independent access to information about a wide variety of possible career paths, we broaden their horizons and inspire them to achieve their goals and ambitions and to be the best that they can be.

We believe that good Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) connects learning to the future. It motivates young people by giving them a clearer idea of the routes to jobs and careers that they will find engaging and rewarding. Good CEIAG widens pupils’ horizons, challenges stereotypes and raises aspirations. It provides pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to make successful transitions to the next stage of their life. This supports social mobility by improving opportunities for all young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Read our Compass Careers Benchmark Report Here

The Portsmouth Academy is committed to providing all students in Years 7-11 with a stable programme of events and supporting activities to provide them with information and guidance about career opportunities and employment. The programme is designed to be progressive so that, each year, students will build and develop on the knowledge and skills that they have previously acquired. The programme will be guided by the Gatsby Benchmarks thus ensuring best practice.

The Gatsby Benchmarks are designed to ensure students:

  • Receive a stable careers programme from years 7 to 11
  • Learn from career and labour market information
  • Address the needs of every student
  • Link curriculum learning to careers
  • Has meaningful encounters with employers and employees
  • Has experiences of workplaces
  • Has meaningful encounters with further and higher education
  • Receives personal guidance

The current careers programme is delivered through a combination of methods:

  • Careers in PD through Years 7 to 11
  • Assemblies
  • Careers learning in lessons
  • Employer visits to school
  • Work Experience in Year 10
  • Careers week in Year 10
  • Careers 1:1 sessions with a qualified Careers Advisor in Years 11
  • Careers workshops and trips targeted at numerous year groups

Additionally, there are several targeted events with local colleges and universities.

The schools Careers Leader, Miss Rahman is available for general advice on careers and work experience and works closely with Year Heads and Pastoral Teams. The school also works with an independent Careers Advisor from Portsmouth City Council.

Find out more about the Careers and Aspirations provision available at The Portsmouth Academy by emailing: careers@theportsmouthacademy.org.uk

Year 10 Work Experience 2026

Watch this slideshow to learn more about work experience.

How to for Unifrog

Useful links to nearby colleges: 

Are you a former student of The Portsmouth Academy?

Our core values of Aspire, Achieve and Respect are at the heart of everything we do and they guide our students long after they leave our school community. We believe education is the golden ticket to a successful and fulfilling future, opening doors to opportunities, ambitions and lifelong achievement.

We are incredibly proud of our former students and all they have gone on to accomplish; demonstrating the values of The Portsmouth Academy as positive role models and responsible citizens in the wider world.

We're building a database, celebrating the educational journeys and career pathways of former students. We'd love to hear about what you've achieved since leaving school, and the ambitions you've pursued. This information will help encourage our current students, showing them how education can unlock opportunities and lead to a bright and successful future.

We'd appreciate you taking a few moments to complete our Alumni Forms Quiz here so we can keep in touch.