Careers Service

Discover how we support our students with guidance, real-world experience and personalised pathways into further education, training or employment.

School and Sixth Form

About Us

At William Henry Smith School and Sixth Form (WHSS), we provide a comprehensive careers education linked to curriculum pathways and dedicated sessions. Students engage with employers through events, workplace visits, and assemblies.

With support from C+K Careers, students and families receive impartial advice to prepare for life after WHSS. Opportunities include career fairs, workshops, and work experience.

Our employability skills programme ensures students gain valuable experiences through WHSS jobs, with the support of the Gatsby Benchmarks.

Students are prepared to transition confidently into further education, apprenticeships, or vocational paths, equipped with skills for future success. You can read more about what to expect in our Student Entitlement Statement.

Careers lead talking to a student pointing to a leaflet about work experience

Our careers approach

Our careers programme empowers every student to discover their strengths, explore meaningful pathways, and develop the confidence, skills and experiences needed to thrive. Our careers service is more than preparing for employment-it's about helping our students recognise their potential, make informed choices, and confidently navigate the opportunities of tomorrow's world of work.

Careers Newsletters

January 2026

This newsletter outlines the careers support available to students and families, promotes careers resources and events, and highlights apprenticeship vacancies, virtual work experience, industry insights, NHS careers, and employment support opportunities.

April 2026

This newsletter highlights ongoing careers support for Years 8–13, celebrates a successful Careers Day, and shares upcoming events, career exploration resources, and opportunities including apprenticeships, NHS careers, British Airways work experience, the Armed Forces, and careers working with animals.

June 2026

This newsletter showcases recent employer and college visits, highlights career exploration resources, AI and emerging careers, apprenticeships, university and employer spotlights, and promotes future opportunities including T Levels Week.

Case study: Matthew

Watch as Matthew talks about his recent work experience with West Yorkshire Transport Police and the valuable experience he gained.

Adele Greenleaf, Careers Lead, WHS Foundation

Get in touch

Contact the School Careers Lead

Adele Greenleaf 
William Henry Smith School
Boothroyd Lane 
Brighouse
HD6 3JW

Contact details
01484 710123
[email protected]

School and Sixth Form

For Employers

We are always looking to build partnerships with employers who can help our students explore the world of work, develop their aspirations, and make informed decisions about their future. Whether you can offer your time, expertise, or opportunities, your support can make a real difference. Can you?

Attend our school assemblies – have you got a career that you could talk to the students about?
Offer a workplace visit – our students really find visiting real places of work extremely valuable.
Deliver a spotlight session – speak to our students about the career path you have taken to provide them information on specific career areas.

Get in Touch Get in Touch

Foundation

SENDCast: Foundation Careers Programme

NASS Outstanding Impact Award:
The William Henry Smith Foundation Careers Service

The NASS Awards celebrate excellence in independent special schools. The Outstanding Impact Award recognises work that has profoundly impacted the outcomes for children and young people.

Our team explain how its innovative careers service delivers outstanding, tailored support for students with SEMH needs. Also hear from the students themselves how it has shaped their future plans.

Students engage in real-world roles, external placements, and diverse employer encounters – from palaeontologists to engineers and authors.

Embedded across the organisation, the service is driven by structure, creativity and belief in each learner’s potential.

Listen to the Podcast

Careers Documents

As part of our role in providing careers advice and guidance, we include the following key documents on this page.

One Page Profile

A concise overview of our intention, implementation and the impact of our careers service.

Preparing students for the world of work

A quick guide for parents/carers on navigating careers information.

Summary of our Information Advice and Guidance Policy

A short summary of our IAG policy to see how we provide students with guidance and support for their future education and career choices.”

Careers timeline

A visual map of what this year looks like for embedding careers into our curriculum.

Provider Access Policy

A document explaining how external organizations like colleges, training providers, or employers can visit and access students at the WHS Foundation.

Careers Education, Information Advice and Guidance Policy

Our full policy which covers all the services we provide in order to achieve our Gatsby Benchmarks at the WHS Foundation.

Unlocking potential. Changing lives.

Our Specialist College supports young people aged 16–19 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, offering tailored education, vocational training, and life skills development to help students achieve greater independence and prepare for adulthood. Contact us today to find out how we can support your child or make a referral.

Our Specialist College