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Gone are the days when a school’s Careers Department consisted of a tick box like the one below:
Choose one of the following career paths:
- University
- Teaching
- Nursing
Nowadays everything is possible – from architect to zoologist – and careers education and guidance form an integral and vital part of any school curriculum. Although almost all of our students go on to university we try to provide relevant, up-to-date information about all the possibilities available to them once they leave school. We offer students access to a wide range of materials aimed at guiding and helping them decide which options to pursue, what qualifications will be required and how to take the first steps towards the careers of their choice.
An introduction to careers education for Years 7 and 8 is delivered within the PSHE programme. From Year 9 greater emphasis is placed on careers education and guidance and there are many links throughout the school between the careers and other departments. These strong cross-curricular ties help to reinforce the value that the school places on careers education and guidance.
The school is a member of ISCO – the Independent Schools Careers Organisation. All girls in Year 10 sit the Morrisby Psychometric test in June and, at the beginning of Year 11, the Regional Director leads a feedback session followed up with individual interviews.
The Department uses its close ties with Abingdon School and St Helen and St Katharine to provide a joint annual Careers Convention and staff from the aforementioned schools, along with staff from Radley College, assist with “mock” university interviews for Upper Sixth students in the Michaelmas Term.
The Careers Department has forged strong links with organisations willing to take students on work experience and we expect all Year 11 students to undertake a week’s work placement after their GCSEs.
We are always on hand to help girls whatever year they are in and we will actively guide them in the most appropriate direction. So, architect or zoologist, or anything in between – the sky’s the limit!