Careers

Students and their parents begin to consider careers at an early stage and it is important to go on thinking and to keep an open mind throughout the years at school.

We are committed to promoting high quality careers education and guidance as an integral part of every students’ academic education. Students are encouraged to carry out their own research and to ask advice from pastoral and subject staff as they progress.

The following information highlights some key points:

Year 7
Students have an introduction to Careers through the use of a careers software package, the Job Explorer Database (JED) which is a fun opportunity to explore different careers.

Year 8
Students participate in ‘Take Our Daughter to Work’ day with a preparatory session before and presentations to their class after. They take part in ‘The Real Game’, taking on a work role and learn how to budget on a set income.

Year 9
Careers lessons, as part of the Learning for Life programme, cover an introduction to Fas Tomato (a web-based careers program) and a presentation on Option Choices with Mrs Berner.

Options’ Evening gives general advice on choices together with details of the different GCSE subjects available.

Year 10
Students have lessons on CV writing. All girls take part in Morrisby Psychometric profiling to help identify strengths and link these to career direction. They have a Careers afternoon with employer presentations. Advice and information continues to be available on an informal and individual basis.

6th Form
Extensive advice regarding university applications is given by Mr Wilcock, the UCAS co-ordinator, and by Mrs Berner, Head of Careers. Individual interviews are available to all. In Year 12, students are offered the chance to visit Oxford and Cambridge Universities and the year group are taken to visit Sussex University, with talks arranged on personal statements, how to choose courses, the admissions process and university funding.

In Year 13, mock interviews are arranged and interview preparation sessions carried out.

Throughout a student’s time at Old Palace:

A Biennial Careers Convention is held at the school for students in Years 9-13, with a large range of careers represented and with guest speakers on popular careers areas.

Occasional lunchtime or after school Career talks can be arranged.

Individual Careers Interviews with Mrs Berner are available for all years.

The Careers Department has a well-stocked and up to date library of resources and uses a variety of web-based and other software programs to help students with their decisions.