"The transition of pupils from one year to the next is carefully managed and leavers are well prepared for life after school. Leavers' self-reliance, sense of responsibility and ability to manage their own independent learning are well developed as a matter of policy."
2007 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report
Careers and University Advice
It is a truism frequently quoted at careers and UCAS conventions that properly researching an appropriate course and university takes the equivalent time to that needed to complete an AS level. We therefore emphasise the importance of committing time to this in Year 12 and we dedicate a significant level of resources to making this endeavour successful for the students.
The Sixth Form benefits from its own, dedicated Careers and Higher Education Advisor whom the girls can contact directly whenever they have a query or need help. The Advisor is a long-standing member of staff who knows most of the girls well from the lower school and is therefore able to prioritise getting to know newcomers quickly.
We encourage the sixth form students to be independent in their research about potential courses and careers. To this end, a programme of weekly information sessions takes place from October to July of Year 12, in which the Sixth Form Careers Advisor actively teaches the students how to access the information they need. Our well stocked Sixth Form Careers and UCAS library is in the Sixth Form’s own Quiet Study Area, which is on a separate floor of the school library. This is open throughout the school day for the students to access in their study periods.
In the spring term, each Year 12 student has a 1:1 interview with the Careers advisor to discuss possible careers and courses. Girls have the opportunity to complete the COA Centigrade test and their feedback report from the test, produced externally by COA, currently forms the basis of this interview. Other tests, such as the Morrisby Profiling now completed lower down the school, can also be taken into account to make a personalised action plan on careers and higher education.
All Year 12 students travel together to attend a University Convention, currently held at Surrey University, at which over one hundred universities are represented.
In addition, students are encouraged to take part in the London University Taster Course programme, and similar initiatives such as the UCAS ‘Design Your Future’ day for Art students.
The Careers and UCAS advisor has bookable and open door sessions to advise pupils who are completing their UCAS forms in the early Autumn and also conducts mock interviews, along with the Head of Sixth Form.
Careers and university/UCAS talks form part of the General Studies programme – see the relevant section of the website for details.
