In response to the ever-evolving jobs market, the Careers department is a dynamic presence in the school both physically and on the student/parent portal.

Students make use of the comprehensive facilities in the careers centre situated within the library, at the heart of the main school building. They have access to the latest software at every level and impartial careers guidance from experts to enable them to make informed choices when it comes to GCSE and A level options, university in the UK or abroad, and the expanding market of degree apprenticeships as well as school leaver programmes. The Careers department works closely with other areas of the school.  Comprehensive, tailor made careers sessions take place in Life Education lessons (PSHE) from Year 6 to the Upper Sixth. Careers content is intertwined into academic schemes of work as per the Gatsby recommendations so that our students can relate what they are learning in the classroom to the wider world.

Academic
Careers guidance

ECON

The Emanuel Parents’ Association (EPA) first introduced the idea of the Emanuel Careers and Opportunities Network in 2013. Dedicated members of the EPA and the Careers department worked closely to launch this secure website at the EPA AGM in May 2015.  The website allows current pupils (Year 9 and above, via parental login) to message potentially hundreds of parents of other pupils at Emanuel School who work in an industry in which they have an interest. All messages are closely monitored by selected members of Emanuel staff for safeguarding purposes. Parents volunteer their expertise in many different ways including answering specific careers questions, offering interview practice and CV writing advice, volunteering for the Careers Convention, and offering work experience and internship opportunities. Parents from all year groups are able to sign up and access the wealth of experience and knowledge available.

Satellite events

We encourage pupils to be aspirational on their career journey and to this end organise networking events in conjunction with the development department. Previous events have been generously hosted at the Central London offices of EY and Google. Our pupils gain an insight into the breadth of opportunity in industries, hear from industry experts and speak to OEs and parents who work in areas such as media, technology and finance in the city. During their conversations, pupils have gained valuable insight into what qualities and achievements are necessary for success in various sectors, as well as being inspired by the impressive professional venues these events take place in.

Work experience

In the autumn term, Year 11 pupils are introduced to the work experience programme and begin their search to find a placement for the period immediately after their GCSE exams finish. As well as finding work experience through friends and families, pupils have access to the offers from our parent body on ECON and are additionally encouraged to email companies directly to seek out placements. Pupils have completed work experience in a variety of industries including medicine, finance, law, aerospace, television, theatre and sports. Year 11 pupils are also strongly encouraged to sign up for the government supported NCS scheme which further helps them develop their interpersonal and leadership skills.

GCSE and A level options

Pupils are given dedicated Life Education lessons to support and guide their decisions. They have the opportunity to use specialist software and carry out research into career areas they are interested in and higher education courses they may wish to pursue. Pupils complete activities so that they are able to reflect on their individual learning styles and aptitudes enabling them to make informed choices.

Pupils in Year 9 have dedicated assemblies and Life Education lessons to explore the new subjects available to them at GCSE level and how each subject links to certain careers. In January, parents are invited to an information event regarding (I)GCSE options, which is spearheaded by the Deputy Head: Academic. Parents and pupils are also introduced to ECON (see above) at this stage.

Early in Year 11, parents are invited to attend a pastoral and academic evening, which outlines the upcoming events for pupils to help confirm their A level choices and how the school provides a seamless transition into the Sixth Form and advanced study. Later in the term, an ‘A Level Taster Talks Evening’ provides an insight about the different academic options available at A level. Parents and pupils attend talks by the Heads of Departments to find out more about what each course entails, the typical activities taking place in lessons and to look at some exemplar work for each subject. Pupils also have a peer information afternoon; nominated Sixth Form students from each A level subject host a display in the school’s Hampden Hall and talk to Year 11 pupils about the subject in detail, including course content, the expected workload and possible career paths. This peer-on-peer interaction provides pupils with a useful and realistic insight.

Higher Education

To find out more about the support our students receive with university applications, please click here.

Some of our students choose to take an alternative route to the traditional degree and we support everyone on an individual basis. This has included students who have joined the army as well as students who have pursued degree apprenticeships in project management and IT. The increase of opportunities in terms of school leaver programmes and degree apprenticeships continues to grow year on year. Our students have access to the latest initiatives and sources of information all collated for them on the student portal.

Innovation and entrepreneurship

The Industry Champions programme seeks to give all Lower Sixth students access to an expert in a field of employment that the student happens to be currently interested in. They have three sessions with the Industry Champion that they are assigned to in the academic year and participate in a number of industry-related challenges that will help give them a better idea about what the workplace is like. The programme culminates in an all-day ‘Entrepreneur and You’ event in which students set up their own mini business for the day and pitch their ideas to the Industry Champions for them to decide which ones are the best to invest in.

Internships

Our parent body generously offers internships at their companies exclusively to students in the Upper Sixth. These include working in the financial sector, international commerce, technology, recruitment and marketing. Students write a letter of application and prepare a CV. Candidates are selected for an initial interview with the Head of Careers at Emanuel School, which is followed by an interview by a representative of the organisation they wish to work for.  The formalised and robust application process helps prepare our students for challenging scenarios they may face in the wider world.

Annual careers convention

This is the flagship event of the Careers department. Year 11 pupils and their parents have the opportunity to speak to visitors from a wide variety of industries and professional areas. This provides a very special opportunity to meet with a large gathering of professionals all eager to support our pupils at Emanuel School. Exhibitors include a notable number of OEs at different stages in their respective careers, a number of supportive parents and careers representatives from prominent organisations invited to take part. Pupils have conversations not only relating to careers for which they already have an interest, but also have the chance to learn about others, broadening their horizons and career aspirations.

Psychometric profiling

In the autumn term of Year 11 pupils sit the Morrisby Psychometric Profiling. This is followed by a comprehensive and personalised report and a one-to-one careers guidance interview with an independent careers advisor. The Morrisby organisation have over 50-years’ experience developing psychometric assessments, and their accurate analysis helps millions of people worldwide, including our students, confidently make important decisions about their education choices and future careers. The results of the profiling are life-long as is the access to the resources available from the Morrisby organisation.

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