Careers

Careers

The Careers Department exists to help pupils find out about the world of work and to help them make decisions about what to do when they leave school. We teach the individual to question, analyse, understand and cope with the decisions that face her.

Year 7

In the summer term girls have information about careers and jobs to help them think about the differences between perceived male and female jobs. They do some light-hearted thinking exercises in groups and meet the Head of Careers to answer lots of questions about aspects of jobs, what GCSE means, what IB means, what BSc Hons means etc.

Year 8

Work Related Learning

Girls gain their first real experience from the Careers Department during this year.

We play ‘The Real Game' in an afternoon off timetable.  Using written exercises, structured games activities and interaction with others, pupils learn the breadth of their options and opportunities, the implications of their choices and the importance of education and planning.

The central elements are:

• Finding out what they already know and think (Spin Game)
• Having a dream - a wish list of expectations for their future life
• Assuming the role of being in a designated job
• Budgeting and balancing the books.

The intention is to encourage students to start thinking about their career options, to be aware of some decisions they will face as adults, to learn about the many choices available to them and to understand the relevance of what they are learning in school to their personal career futures - all in a fun, yet educational way.

Year 9

Subject Options

In the Spring Term pupils follow a module about decision-making in tutorial time. They use Fast Tomato, a web-based careers package. Various exercises promote self-awareness and highlight individual interest areas. The Head of Careers introduces all girls to the Careers Library.

Parents and Guardians will be invited, along with their daughters, to the 14-19 information evening in February when details of the GCSE courses are made available and the opportunities post 16 at Bedford High School for Girls.

Work Related Learning - Industrial Visit 

At the end of the Summer Term, pupils spend a day off timetable to study an industrial/environmental project. The scheme is launched in an assembly in the Summer Term to allow tutors time to prepare the girls for their visit. They spend a morning at a local industry and look at methods of management, Health & Safety, qualifications needed for each job etc. In the afternoon they pull together their findings in groups in the computer rooms and the next day each group gives a Power Point presentation judged by invited guests from the industries. The girls experience the pressure of working to a deadline within a group, just like in the real world of work.

Year 10

An integral part of the careers thinking at this level is to promote the importance of Study Skills, greater self-awareness and target setting. This is part of the PSHE programme, taught by form tutors. In the Autumn Term all girls are recommended to visit the Careers Library to learn the systems and look at the resources. They are encouraged to return to use the Careers finder programs and to use information in books. They can also use B-live at any time on the internet. The aim is to give a framework within which to consider Higher Education courses and alternative routes to a career. In addition we canvass opinions on areas of interest and try to provide speakers where possible. These people can give an accurate and up to date insight into recruitment and requirements. Girls will help to guide the visitors and write thank you letters. They also find out about laws surrounding part-time work for the 14-16 age group.
  
There needs to be a degree of flexibility within the programme, with review and change. Some years pupils may respond to giving presentations about careers they have researched while others want to hear from outsiders. The Head of Careers will organise a suitable programme within the time allocated in the Spring Term.

Year 11

Careers work is integrated into the PSHE programme. Personal profile writing prepares the way for future personal statements, as well as aspects of applying for temporary work. This includes CV writing, letters of application and analysis of job advertisements.

Personal Interviews

As pupils start to make decisions about post-16 courses, a team of staff will interview each girl about her options. We highlight courses at Bedford High and provide detailed information about AS/A2 and IB courses. We can also show information about other schools and colleges, mainly using websites. The aims of these interviews are to explore a girl's interests and aspirations and to help in the decision-making process by showing what opportunities are available. Parents may wish to be involved in this process. Girls may request an additional interview with the Head of Careers.

Work Experience

In view of current legislation, Work Experience is under review. CRB disclosure, laws surrounding children in the workplace, including protection legislation and high insurance premiums for companies are making Work Experience more difficult to obtain. The local EBP(Education Business Partnership) can provide a placement for a fee.

Information about 6^th Form Careers can be found in the Sixth form section.