Purbrook Park School Gets Working on National Careers Week
National Careers Weeks was 2nd March – 9th March 2026. Purbrook Park School took this opportunity to get all year groups involved in careers activities around the school.
The corridors were enhanced with motivational quotes and career myth busting posters, teachers posted their career paths on their classroom doors, and teachers linked careers to their subject lessons. There were year group workshops throughout the week, and the highlight was speakers who volunteered their time to talk about their career and the path they took to get there.
On Monday, Mr McFawn spoke to Year 10 & 11 pupils about Business Management.
On Tuesday, Dr Qayyum spoke about being a GP and what it was like to work in the medical sector.
Wednesday was the turn of Mr Akhtar, who spoke about the different types of engineering, the options to get there, and where it can take you, both as a career and geographically.
Mrs Aldred talked about floristry, the apprenticeship process to get into the career, where to study and what it was like to make a bouquet for the Queen.
Year 8s completed a career workshop in the main hall with City of Portsmouth College and explored how their personalities can inform their career choices, and their GCSE options.
On Friday Alan Mak MP came to the school to give an assembly about his career path, and what it was like day to day to be a politician. He talked about his education and the importance of self-belief.
Mr Mak MP spoke about the charity work he does, encouraging pupils to get involved in volunteering.
He answered lots of interesting questions, such as, “If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?” and “If you were offered the role of Prime Minister, would you take it?”
Finally, continuing the momentum from Careers week, pupils enjoyed tutor workshops about their future careers and aspirations, supported by Havant & South Downs College.
Sally Akhtar - Purbrook Park School Careers Advisor