The Careers Curriculum is supported by co-curricular events to inform girls and their parents about Higher Education and Careers and provide opportunities for girls to develop transferable skills, experience what the working world is like and develop independence and leadership.
Themed Careers Evenings
These are held for girls in Years 10-13 and their parents. We run two evenings a year, each one covering a broad career area. The format is a plenary session with a university admissions tutor who outlines what they are looking for in applicants before the audience splits into parallel optional workshops: the first sessions are taken by former pupils currently reading subjects related to the theme; the second sessions by young professionals at the start of their careers and the final sessions by speakers at a later stage in their careers. We aim to use as many former pupils as we can: they are excellent role models and showcase the advantages of a Bedford Girls' School education. The added bonus is that current pupils have a great opportunity to network and often gain work experience and or advice.
Careers Days
These involve a day off timetable and are held for Years 8 – 12.
Year 8: Learn to Earn
In association with Young Enterprise, emphasises the link between academic achievement, transferable skills and greater career choice and helps girls learn about a great variety of careers.
Year 9: Developer for a Day
In association with Young Enterprise, has groups of girls forming small companies which have to formulate a company strategy, plan, design and budget for a housing development which meets strict criteria within a tight timescale. Girls learn much about the range of professional careers within the construction industry, which is still largely perceived as a male-dominated industry, yet which offers women great opportunities.
Year 10: Millennium Challenge
Is a stock market simulation game where small groups of girls work together as stock market traders. Starting out with £15,000, they have to buy and sell shares in 9 mythical companies. Rapid changes in share prices, regular news broadcasts, RSS feeds and daily newspapers require rapid assimilation of information, good communication within the company and clear decision making to win.
Year 11: a week’s work experience
After summer GCSE examinations this gives girls a real experience of the working world. Girls are expected to organise their own placement, although Careers will assist with suggestions and contact details from our extensive database.
Year 12: Future Fortunes
Focuses on the skills needed to succeed in HE and the world of work through a series of activities involving planning, time management, multi-tasking, communication and presentation skills. Group advisers from local organisations, including several former pupils, describe their career pathways (in most cases, not straightforward which gives the important message that setbacks and disappointments do not mean the end of a successful career) and work with small groups of girls on the tasks set.
Additional events
Vacation Courses
Are advertised regularly to girls in Years 9-13, with good uptake, for courses including Smallpeice Trust courses on engineering, Headstart courses, GSK vacation scheme, University taster courses in a wide range of subjects and vocational courses in Law, Medicine and Veterinary Science.
Morrisby Psychometric Testing
Is offered to Years 10 and 11 to inform career planning and for guidance to careers which are a good match for individual profile, particularly for those who are undecided about career direction.
Higher Education Information Evening for Year 12 and Parents
This outlines the current procedures for university application and covers how the school supports applicants. External speakers inform on what admissions tutors look for in a strong application; student finance; Oxbridge; what to consider if planning a year out; and applying to overseas universities.
Interview Techniques and Mock Interviews for Year 13
Advice is offered to Year 13 as an evening session and mock interview practice is available in preparation for university and other interviews.
Oxbridge Interviews Techniques for Year13
Is offered to Year 13 Oxbridge applicants as part of a consortium of local schools; subject specific mock interviews in preparation for the real thing
Bedford School OB Careers Fair for Years 11-13
We collaborate with Bedford School in providing speakers for this well attended Careers Fair.