Careers Education and Guidance at Coombe Girls’ School

Who are the Careers Department at Coombe Girls’ School and Sixth Form?

• Mr S. Smith Head of Careers and Work Experience
• Miss L. Keightly Careers and Work Experience Assistant
• Mrs J Rich Careers and Work Experience Administrative Assistant
• Mr F. Kennedy Connexions Personal Advisor

In Year Seven…

• There will be an initial programme not specifically related to careers, but associated with skills, target setting and getting to know yourself.

In Year Eight…

• In Year Eight you will have an introduction to CEG through an active tutorial programme that is designed to encourage you to research information about a particular career.
• You will then produce a group presentation about that career. The best presentation in each tutor group will be presented to the whole year group, with the overall winner receiving a prize!
• You will have a PSHCE day that is geared towards learning about Careers.
• You will write your own Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• You will use Careers Information Software to try to find out the types of careers to which you would be most suited.
• You will be involved in a Year Group presentation to the rest of Year Eight relating to your active tutorial group work.

In Year Nine…

• You will begin to think about ‘Action Planning’.
• You will start to set yourself targets for the years ahead.
• You will become familiar with SMART targets. That is, targets that are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-related
• You will undertake the GCSE options process.
• What are GCSEs?
• How many GCSEs will I take?
• What subjects can I choose?
• What new subjects can I study?
• What is a GCSE short course?
• Who can help me to make the right choices?
• Who can offer me support?

In Year Ten…

• You will have a PSHCE day to prepare you for your Work Experience placement. During this day you will find out about etiquette while at work as well as having the chance to discuss your Health and Safety while you are away from Coombe.
• You will get the chance to spend two weeks away from school and gain some experience of the world of work.
• The school WILL NOT find you a work experience placement so try and do something really different and exciting by starting early to find your own placement in any approved career area that you find interesting.

In Year Eleven…

• You will have the opportunity to have a one-on-one interview with a Personal Advisor from the ‘Connexions’ careers advice service about issues such as health, housing, finance and your future.
• You will complete your Coombe Record of Progress and Achievement Portfolio.
• You will make choices about your learning post 16:
- Will you stay at Coombe?
- Will you go to Sixth Form college?
- Will you enter an employment related training course?
- Will you get a job?
- Where will you live?

In Year Twelve…

• Will you study a new subject?
• Will you take AS levels?
• Will you take further GCSEs?
• Will you fast track to A2 levels (e.g. in languages)?
• Will you study for GNVQ Intermediate or Advanced level qualifications?
• Will you gain work experience?

In Year Thirteen…

• Will you take on an extra/new AS level subject?
• How many A2 level subjects will you take?
• Will you extend your GNVQ studies?
• Will you apply to university through the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) scheme?
• Will you consider taking a GAP year?
• Will you leave full time education and look for employment?
• Will you move away from home?