Careers Education is predominantly taught as part of the PACE programme.

  • Careers Programme: Years 7-9

    Year 7 – “All about careers”

    • Students are introduced to the world of work and the terminology associated with it.
    • Students are introduced to careers resources and will start to develop their skills for researching information on different careers.
    • Students are introduced to the wide range of careers available to them. They are encouraged to challenge stereotypes within the world of work and traditional job roles.
    • Students will hear talks from external speakers about their jobs and what they involve.
    • Students have optional access to independent guidance (Head of Year referral).
    • Students are encouraged to attend careers talks and fairs.

    Year 8 – “All about you and your skills for work”

    • Students will look at job adverts from different sources, highlighting similarities, differences and key points.
    • Students will start to develop their skills in identifying what employers are looking for.
    • Students are encouraged to identify their own personal traits, strengths and skills.
    • Students will develop an action plan to help develop their employability skills.
    • Students will start to think about what they find important in a career in terms of lifestyle, and a good work/life balance. They will be encouraged to have high expectations of themselves.
    • Students will hear talks from external speakers about their jobs and what they involve.
    • Students have optional access to independent guidance (Head of Year referral).
    • Students are encouraged to attend careers talks and fairs.

    Year 9 – “Making choices”

    • Students are introduced to the world of work first hand via a work shadowing day. They will be encouraged to critically reflect on their experience.
    • Students are introduced to a range of different websites available to them to help research different jobs, what they involve, and what skills and qualifications are needed for them.
    • Students will begin to think about GCSE options in terms of potential career pathways. They will be encouraged to use the careers resources they have been introduced to, to help inform their GCSE decisions.
    • Students will learn about the role of social media, and how this can help or hinder future applications.
    • Students have optional access to independent guidance (Head of Year referral).
    • Students are encouraged to attend careers talks and fairs.

  • Careers Programme: Years 10-11

    Year 10 – “Get ready for the world of work”

    • Students will revisit their action plan, and reassess their personal strengths and skills. They will be encouraged to continue to develop these.
    • Students will revisit their wants from work.
    • Students are encouraged to link specific potential careers to strengths and skills required, and lifestyles associated with them.
    • Students will learn their rights and responsibilities in the working world.
    • Students will explore what a CV is, and how to write a good CV. They are encouraged to start writing a CV, and if any gaps are highlighted during this process, will explore how to develop these areas further.
    • Students will explore interview techniques, and will develop these through practice.
    • Students will start to think about the financial aspects of work, including budgeting, financial planning, tax, and interpreting payslip information.
    • Students are encouraged to attend careers talks and fairs.
    • Students are encouraged to continue to use the careers resources available to them.
    • Students have optional access to independent guidance (Form tutor or Head of Year referral).

    Year 11 – “Thinking ahead to 16+”

    • Students are helped with post 16 choices and informed about all their options, including 6th form study, colleges, UTC’s, and apprenticeships.
    • Students are given the opportunity to hear about A-Level subjects available to them, from both teachers and current pupils.
    • A small, selected group of pupils will be given the opportunity to complete a week of work experience. They will be encouraged to critically reflect on their experience; what they have learnt, and what skills they have used and developed.
    • Students are encouraged to continue to use careers resources available to them to continue to investigate which careers appeal, and what skills and qualifications are needed for them.
    • Students will have an interview with an independent careers adviser. At this time they will agree their personal action plan for the future, and identify what specific action is required to achieve these goals.
    • Students should use their careers interviews to help understand the different career pathways and entry requirements, and are encouraged to make contingency plans should their results be better/worse than expected.
    • Students are encouraged to attend careers talks, fairs, and open days.
    • Students are further encouraged to set high expectations of themselves by learning about University life and Degree Apprenticeships.
    • Students are given the opportunity to take the Morrisby test to help identify potential career pathways (students opt-in, and charge applies).

  • Careers Programme: Sixth Form

    The FACE programme (Focus and Action on Careers and Employment) is taught as part of General Studies in the Sixth Form. This includes developing employability skills, writing personal statements, UCAS applications, alternative routes to University and preparation for work experience. The students also receive extensive interview preparation which leads up to our FACE the Future interview day in the summer term. Some of the FACE programme is taught by form tutors, however we also have a wealth of external visitors including alumnae, employers and university lecturers. The careers coordinator works closely with the sixth from team to ensure that all of our students are well equipped for their transition into further education and beyond.

    Year 12 – “Thinking ahead to 18+”

    • Students are informed of all their different options including higher education, jobs, gap years and apprenticeships.
    • Students hear about choosing a course and university.
    • Students have the opportunity to hear specifically about making an Oxbridge application.
    • Students are given advice on writing personal statements, with emphasis on UCAS, apprenticeship and job applications.
    • Students will revisit interview skills, and how to prepare for an interview.
    • Students will take part in mock interviews with employers.
    • Students will hear about study skills.
    • Students will hear about employability skills.
    • Students are encouraged to take part in work experience, developing their employability skills, and also their skills in searching for roles and approaching and communicating with employers.
    • Students are encouraged to attend university open days, and careers talks and fairs.
    • Students have optional access to an independent and impartial adviser via drop in sessions, or form tutor referral.
    • Students are encouraged to use careers resources available, and are informed where to find out more about specific courses/careers.
    • Students are given the opportunity to take the Morrisby test to help identify potential career pathways (students opt-in, and charge applies).

    Year 13 – “Thinking ahead to 18+”

    • Students are reminded of all the different options available to them, including higher education, jobs, gap years, and apprenticeships. Support is given for any of these options.
    • Students are given targeted support with UCAS or apprenticeship applications.
    • Students will hear about student finance and budgeting.
    • Students will hear about transition to university life.
    • Students are encouraged to attend university open days, and careers talks and fairs.
    • Students have optional access to an independent and impartial adviser via drop in sessions, or form tutor referral.
    • Students are encouraged to use careers resources available, and are informed where to find out more about specific courses/careers.