Agenda item

The Head of Careers to be heard.

With the agreement of the Board, the presentation on the work of the Careers Team was considered within the Part 1 – Public Agenda.

The Board considered a presentation by the Head of Careers outlining the support and guidance provided by the Careers Team and the following points were noted:

·         The Careers Team worked with all pupils between Years 7 to 13, placing emphasis on Key Stages 4 and 5.  The main focus of the Autumn term was the university application process for Year 13, including interview preparation which was further complemented by enrichment activities to help students stand out from other candidates.  During the remainder of the year, careers events were held across different year groups.  This covered as many industries as possible with a mix of speakers that pupils could choose from.  The School also delivered a Higher Education evening for Sixth Form pupils which could be broadened out to include the other City independent schools in future. 

·         Prospects acted as independent careers advisor to the School and primarily supported Year 9 and 11 pupils in selecting their options for Key Stages 4 and 5.  The School had a full-time staff member to support students interested in applying to American universities whilst the Head of Careers supported other students applying to study internationally.  The benefits of degree apprenticeships were also promoted to students.

·         The School’s careers focus tended to be towards online materials including subscriptions to online careers programmes which had regularly updated resources and formed part of the School’s strategy to support pupils within a rapidly changing careers market.  The School frequently circulated details of careers opportunities to students, and a number of Year 12 students participated in interactive programmes with City employers.  The School also drew on local links by working with a number of livery companies and there was scope to build on this.

·         The Chairman queried whether the School provided opportunities for pupils to meet with entrepreneurs.  The Head of Careers explained that pupils met with representatives of different industries and backgrounds including entrepreneurs.  Students also arranged their own activities which had previously included speed-dating events with representatives of varying industries and backgrounds. 

·         A Governor underlined the rate of economic growth in the Asian and African regions and queried how students could benefit from this.  The Headmistress confirmed that it was part of the School’s ethos to prepare students to have a global outlook and that this could include cultural exchanges.  Increasing numbers of students were applying to universities in these regions, including China, and opportunities to study abroad were available via innovative providers such as Minerva and joint BA/BSc programmes.  Another Governor highlighted the importance of building links with large firms located in the City which offered global opportunities and internships. 

·         A Governor noted that the City of London Corporation would shortly be running a conference for Sixth Form students around the careers available within the organisation and that 160 attendees were expected from across London, including several pupils from the School.

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted.