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Careers and Higher Education
Head of Department:
Mrs J Cardnell, Cert CEG
Adviser:
Mrs J Burton, Cert CEG; i/c Work Experience
The Careers Department operates an open door policy and
members of staff try to be freely available to consult with pupils, and parents by appointment. The
department has a well stocked library of books and prospectuses and full access through the school
network to the Internet and Careers Websites. The Careers Library is located on the ground floor of
the school library.
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Careers Education
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Although formal careers activities begin in Year 10,
Year 9 pupils a presentation on “GCSE Choices” given by the school’s Connexions representative.
Years 10 and 11 each has a Careers morning under the Active Citizenship programme when they are
introduced to Careers Websites, Interview Techniques, writing a
CV, Post 16options among other activities. Year 11 are also given an individual interview
which follows the receipt of their Morrisby Psychometric Profile, which they undertake at the end
of Year 10. As an all-in ISCO member school, pupils have access to their services until their 23
rd birthdays.
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In the sixth form our focus is largely towards
university as the majority of Colfe’s pupils go on to Higher Education. Various lectures and
presentations are given under the General Studies programme in Year 12 and in the Spring each pupil
has an interview to help them make decisions about their life after school. Pupils are taken to a
Higher Education Fair to pick up prospectuses and ask questions about universities. Pupils who wish
to go straight into employment are given equal support in preparing a
CV.
In Year 13 much advice is given about universities,
courses and personal statements, as the department works alongside the Sixth Form Team to ensure
that correct choices are made. Colfe’s uses the UCAS apply online application system which allows
pupils to check their progress online and even receive confirmation of their university place
before they have their results on results day! Pupils are given all the support and advice needed
following the publication of results as are those in Year 11 after their results are received.
Careful advice and support is also offered to all Oxbridge candidates under the supervision of the
Academic Deputy Head.
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Careers and Higher Education Convention
The department organises a Careers and Higher Education
Convention every two years. Many career areas are represented, often by old Colfeians or parents of
current or former pupils. Universities also send advisers, and pupils from Years 9 to 13 are
invited to attend and speak in an informal way to all or any of the advisers. The next convention
will be held on December 2009. If anyone would like to offer their services they should contact Mrs
Cardnell at the school.
Work Experience
At the end of Year 11 pupils are encouraged to undertake
one week’s work experience. Mrs Burton attempts to place all participants in career areas in which
they are interested and pupils are welcome to arrange their own placements. All Health and Safety
checks (including for privately arranged placements) are carried out by Education Business
Partnership at Greenwich. The Sixth Form are also encouraged to arrange work experience during the
school holidays.
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