Careers
Decision- making
Pupils will be faced with making several decisions about which subjects to study at GCSE, A level and about higher education. They are assisted in making these choices by Careers professionals as they are given the opportunity to explore their abilities and preferences for subjects and activities. The results several careers programmes enhance pupils’ knowledge of tertiary education courses and career options that could be followed; we do not expect that many girls will determine a specific career path at this stage of their lives.
In Year 9 girls use the Fasttomato questionnaire and careers data base, which links their preferences to careers, in year 11 girls are given the opportunity to take part in the Morrisby VGS programme after which they are given an individual report detailing their aptitudes and suggestions of higher education courses which match their strengths and interests. All pupils in Year 11 are given careers interviews to discuss their aspirations and to assist them in choosing AS levels that keep their options open.
In Year 12 all girls use the Morrisby Coursefinder online questionnaire to match their subjects and interests to suitable higher education courses.
Resources
The careers library houses invaluable resources including books such as Student Finance, The Times Good University Guide, How to get Into Medical School and Writing Personal Statements. All of the University prospectuses and found here as well as publications detailing the requirements for specific courses and careers. Pupils are advised, however to check the most up to date information using the UCAS website, www.ucas.com. What do Graduates Do? Gives insight to the likelihood of employment after studying a particular course, the Kent University website www.kent.ac.uk/careers also lists similar enlightening statistics.
Careers education
Careers education is taught by tutors from Year 7 and aims to raise pupils’ awareness of the roles of different people in the community and the skills and talents that are required by specific types of employers. It also aims to focus pupils on their personal attributes and to equip them with knowledge of what they need to achieve to follow particular career paths.
Careers Convention
Each year Channing hosts its own Careers Convention for Year 10 and 12 girls, they are enriched by professionals from a wide range of careers fields such as Medicine, Advertising, Interior Design and Finance.
Programme of Career talks
We offer pupils the option to attend career talks from the widest range of careers; many speakers are Channing Old Girls who are truly inspirational and motivational to our current pupils.
Work Experience, Volunteering and Community Service
All pupils in Year 9 take part in the Take Your Daughters to Work Day, which takes place on the fourth Thursday of April each year. In 2010, it will take place on Thursday 22 April.
Work experience placements are arranged by many girls following Year 11 and by all girls in Year 12. Students wishing to read Medicine should arrange a hospital placement and a long-term volunteering placement, such as in a hospice or for a medical charity. Work experience or volunteering most certainly accelerates personal development and facilitates exposure to new and unfamiliar situations.
www.volunteering.org.uk to find out the opportunities that are available. Community Service is compulsory for those taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Useful websites
www.ucas.com for University application information
www.drama.ac.uk for information on Drama schools
www.unofficial-guides.com for student comments and links to Alternative prospectuses
