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Careers

Head of Department: Dr L Penney

Careers Administrator: Mrs E Fox

Careers Tutors

Sixth Form: Dr L Penney

Mr O Bowden

Mrs N Keeler

Mrs T Lennie

Mrs M Lincoln

 

Careers Curriculum

Careers education and guidance starts in Year 8 and continues into the Sixth Form. The overall aim is to encourage development of the knowledge, skills and attitudes to make the best use of each girl's individual capabilities in learning and work throughout life. The focus is very much on the individual girl and helping her to make appropriate choices at each decision-making point in her school career and afterwards. The curriculum includes:


  • developing self awareness of individual strengths, skills, interests and preferred working style and factors which influence these.
  • researching opportunities and options in education and work so that choices made at each stage are well informed.
  • finding out about different careers and career pathways.
  • the importance of transferable skills in contributing to success in education and the work place.

 

Taught lessons are enhanced and reinforced by careers conferences throughout the year. These include introductions to the world of work; team working on entrepreneurial activities with ambassadors from industry; and events and conferences focussing on Higher Education and careers. Work experience opportunities in Years 11, 12 and 13 offer further practical experience of specific careers.


Girls in Years 11, 12 and 13 all have regular individual interviews with their Careers tutor to guide them towards their chosen goal and can seek advice from careers staff at any time.

Resources

The Career Library is located in the Sixth Form House. It is well supplied with books, guides and prospectuses as well as excellent ICT facilities. The Careers Intranet, also accessible from home, is a key resource for information on all aspects of Higher Education, Further Education, Apprenticeships and employment with training, as well as careers and career pathways and different industrial sectors. Careers staff are readily available to advise and assist with enquiries.


Future Fortunes 2007
A day off timetable for Year 12 girls found them developing the core transferable skills needed for success in the outside world.  Advisers from a wide range of business backgrounds came in to facilitate and mentor the teams as they built towers of straw, hunted for treasure and experienced the power of non-verbal communication.  Whilst developing their leadership, team-working, problem solving, planning and time management skills the girls got a taste of what the world of work is really like.  They also managed to have a lot of fun at the same time. 

Year 9 Construction Challenge 2007
In October 2007, Year 9 girls at Dame Alice Harpur School completed a complex urban design project. Shefford based company Inspace worked with Construction Skills to devise the exciting project which promoted the opportunities within the construction and built environment industry.

The girls were asked to manage all aspects of the development of a new social housing build. They designed the accommodation, took the project through planning permission, managed the finances and planned and organised the final build.

As well as gaining valuable insight into all the career opportunities in the construction and built environment, (from architect, civil engineer, construction manager, estimating technician, demolition operative to painter and decorator) girls explored ways in which to make a real difference to the environment in which they live.

The event was featured in the TES Magazine on 30th November. To view article - Click Here.