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Inspiring your students with virtual work experience & career pathways

Help your students explore careers, connect with employers and universities, and link their learning to life beyond the classroom all in one free online platform.
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What is Springpod?

Springpod is a free careers platform offering interactive virtual work experience, career insights, and university course tasters for anyone 13+ years. Students can explore industries, complete real-world projects, and earn certificates all aligned to Gatsby Benchmarks and career education best practice. We have optional content with a focus on employability available as a subscription - view here

Key benefits
Aligned with key frameworks
Supports Gatsby Benchmarks, CDI Framework, and equalex, supporting the delivery of modern work experience effectively.
Strong national partnerships
Working with UCAS and the Careers & Enterprise Company to bring students innovative experiences of work and university.
Real employer engagement
Connects students directly with industry professionals and workplace projects.
Curriculum-connected learning
Links subject knowledge to real-world careers and pathways.
Accessible for all
Available anytime, anywhere; tackles stereotypes and breaks down barriers to opportunity.
Engaging & motivating content
Inspires students through interactive, relatable, and diverse experiences.
Classroom-ready programmes
Includes tailored experiences for ages 11–13 to build early career awareness.
Trackable impact
Monitor student participation and completion with ease.

How it works for schools and colleges

Students can sign up for free
Create their account and link to your institution.
Browse & share programmes
Send direct links to students.
Students take part
At school or college or independently.
Track engagement
View student progress & report on engagement.
Book a student intro talk
Meet the team & get support
We’re here to make your careers education easier. Meet our dedicated support team and get help whenever you need it. The easiest and fastest way to get support is by joining our teacher/adviser community.
Join our community
Jo Bishop
School and College Outreach Lead
Former careers adviser at City & Islington College with over 20 years experience in education.
Support
Frequently asked questions
Your question answered
Safeguarding
Our staff are DBS-checked and will be responsible for the in-programme communication with your students. There is an anonymised help desk, monitored by the Springpod team. Live webinars are one-way only for video and audio. All live webinars are moderated by a member of the Springpod team. You will find all of our Springpod policies and documents here
Can I create accounts for my students and enrol them in a particular programme?
No, students have to create their own accounts and apply for the programmes they wish to complete. We have made it very quick and easy for students to get started.
Can I use Springpod experiences to suit my timetable?
Yes, we will always have a wide range of experiences available throughout the year and on demand.
Do your experiences support Gatsby Benchmarks?
Yes, you will always find experiences which enable you to evidence progress towards achieving Gatsby Benchmarks. We are proud of our innovative approach to make virtual experiences meaningful and offer many opportunities for students to interact with employers in a safeguarded environment.
Experiential learning is a key component of every programme, whether this is a work experience or a university subject spotlight. You can view our Gatsby Benchmark guide for Schools here or for Colleges and ITPs here.
Are your experiences mapped to the CDI Career Development Framework?
We ensure all of our experiences are underpinned by the six career development skills in the CDI framework. This means that our content is always engaging, relevant and up to date with clear learning outcomes necessary for a positive career. You can view our mapping document here.
Are your programmes suitable for students who need additional support?
The flexibility of our experiences means that your students can take their time to work their way through the content. Staff can enrol on to the experiences to work alongside the students. For some students, the virtual experience can offer an alternative way to develop skills without the anxiety of attending an in-person experience and meeting new people. Online placements can also help boost confidence in preparation for an in-person experience.
We do have a specific programme for SEND students 15+ with an EHCP plan. Contact jo.bishop@springpod.com if you would like to find out more.
Why schools and colleges choose Springpod
"In-person placements can be hard to access without the right connections. Springpod opens up career insights to every student, regardless of their background. The variety of experiences available is brilliant - it helps students discover sectors they may never have considered, all at their own pace."
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
Aspirations and Careers Lead
"I use Springpod with students who struggle in traditional lessons. One Year 10 student refused to attend PE and was frequently in Seclusion. When she started Springpod's Health & Social Care experience, she became engaged, focused, and determined to complete it. It gave her a sense of purpose and helped her realise she wants to become a social worker."
The Chalk Hills Academy
Careers Lead/Advisor
"We used Springpod with Year 10 students who hadn't secured work placements. Just a couple of days into the experience, their attitude completely changed. They became proactive and motivated - it felt like they were working with us rather than resisting support. Springpod helped them re-engage and start thinking more seriously about their futures."
St Laurence School
Careers Leader