Careers

Head of Department - Eva Spiers

The Head of Department is assisted by two Vice-Principals who are both former Careers Teachers and by two experienced Careers Assistants and Judy Kay from the Training and Employment Agency.
The School provides a well-equipped and modern Careers Suite, which consists of Office, Interview Room, Conference Room and Library.

The aim of Careers Education at Friends’ School is to help pupils to:
a know themselves better
b be aware of education, training and career opportunities
c make the transition from school to adult life
d develop skills and capabilities in communication, ICT, presentation and decision making
e manage the transition from school to adult life

Current Department Practice
The Department is involved in formal teaching in Years 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14.
Action Planning, Advice Days, Parents’ Evenings, Individual Interviews with School Staff and Staff from the Training and Employment Agency, Careers Conventions, Work Experience, Mock Interviews, F.E./H.E. visits and talks form a core part of a very active Careers Programme.

Year 9
Pupils receive one period of Employability per week in the Autumn term.
Pupils have the opportunity to examine:

a their own skills and qualities
b aspects of the global economy and the changing world of work
c the concepts of enterprise and entrepreneurship

Year 10
Pupils receive one period a week of Careers Education throughout Year 10.
Pupils have the opportunity to:

a examine skills and qualities
b develop a Personal Career Plan and investigate a variety of careers
c examine aspects of the global economy and the changing world of work
d make informed choices about GCSE subjects

The Careers Department is involved in consultation with pupils and parents about subject choice for GCSE

In relation to subject choice the two websites, below, are very useful in helping pupils investigate links between subjects and Careers 

http://www.brightknowledge.org

Key Stage 4
Pupils receive one period a week of Careers Education throughout Year 12 and are also involved in a programme of organised events. Pupils have the opportunity to:

a examine ways of classifying careers and the use of Careers resources in School
b discuss routes post 16
c consider AS and A level subject choice
d undertake further work on Personal Career Planning
e attend the B.E.P. Annual Careers Convention
f attend an Advice Day following the publication of GCSE results

Sixth Form
Pupils receive Careers Education through the Personal and Social
Education programme in the Sixth Form.

Year 13
Pupils have the opportunity to:
a discuss choices regarding employment, Further and Higher Education
b undertake one week’s Work Experience
c attend the B.E.P. Annual Careers Convention
d learn application skills and interview techniques
e undertake preliminary work on UCAS
f attend an Advice Day following the publication of AS results

Year 14
Pupils have the opportunity to:
a receive advice on applications to Further and Higher Education on an individual basis
b experience a Mock Interview conducted by outside specialists
c visit Queen’s University
d receive advice following the publication of A level results

For infomation on how to apply to Universities in the Republic of Ireland please click on the link