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Careers

Helping girls to prepare for life after school is a collective responsibility with the careers adviser, Head of House, tutors, subject staff and the Headmistress all taking an active role in guiding the girls.

Careers education and guidance begins in Form III / Year 9 when they are incorporated into the Personal, Social and Health Education programme. This helps the girls to make informed choices about their GCSE subjects and is further developed in Forms IV and V / Years 10 and 11.

Prior to choosing AS subjects, girls are given a full programme of guidance. This includes the preview questionnaire, which assesses their main careers interest areas and provides the basis for discussion with advisers and parents.

Girls are expected to arrange work experience placements after their GCSE examinations to help develop qualities and skills which will enhance their career prospects. Preparation for this includes selection, application and interview techniques, and each girl is given a booklet to record her experiences. Those studying languages in the Sixth Form often do work experience abroad.

Many speakers visit the school, representing a wide range of career options. These speakers are often successful women, including old girls, who are excellent role models for the girls.

Individual guidance about careers is integral to the ethos of the school and this was highlighted in the report when the department was awarded the CfBT Quality Award for excellence in careers education and guidance. The school is a member of the Independent Schools Careers Organisation (ISCO), which provides valuable support and makes use of several of the Cambridge Occupational Analysts (COA) aptitude tests.