Welcome to the Careers Department
Careers Education and Guidance at Alderley Edge School for Girls is an integral element within students’ support network. All students access our careers education programme throughout their education in the senior school. We aim to ensure our students have the knowledge, resources and skills required to make informed and smooth transitions between key stages.
Students have face to face careers appointments with our in house Careers Adviser at the key transition points in Years 9, 11 and 12. These appointments are in addition to careers meetings that are available to all students in the senior school.
Alderley Edge School for Girls hosts a biennial Careers Convention welcoming over 70 delegates to meet with students. These events are an informative and potentially lifechanging experience for the students, giving them an opportunity to gain information on different routes into wide range of careers. After the event, many of our students gain valuable work experience placements.
Department Objectives
Careers Education and Guidance aligns with the curriculum aims of Alderley Edge School for Girls by addressing the educational, moral, and spiritual needs of all pupils through relevance and diversity.
Its primary objective is to prepare students for adult life by enhancing self-awareness and helping them assess their skills, interests, and aspirations in relation to the world of work.
This program raises awareness of various educational, training, and career opportunities, encouraging students to aim high and make informed decisions free from bias. It fosters decision-making skills, aids in managing transitions to higher education and new roles, and provides diverse experiences of the workplace.
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By delivering impartial and up-to-date career guidance, students are empowered to explore a wide range of options, supports the fulfilment of their potential, and counters stereotyping, particularly encouraging girls from all backgrounds to consider diverse careers. Ultimately, Careers Education and Guidance complements other aspects of school life to enhance progression and achievement, reinforcing the core values of Alderley Edge School for Girls.
Head of Careers - Mrs Hilsley
Mrs Hilsley graduated from the University of Manchester with a BA in Economics and went on to establish a thriving Economics department at a large comprehensive school. She joined AESG in 2018 as the Head of Careers, Business, and Economics. Mrs Hilsley is passionate about empowering young people, ensuring they have access to accurate and up to date information to make informed decisions tailored to their individual needs, and supporting them with bespoke, one to one advice.
A strong advocate for higher education and the world of work, she promotes pathways through both university degrees and apprenticeships, having successfully supported many former students in securing competitive degree apprenticeships. With her excellent industry connections, Mrs Hilsley provides students with invaluable access to workplaces, employers, and events such as CV writing and how to use LinkedIN, to enhance their career prospects.
Mrs Hilsley also produces as termly newsletter, an example of which can be found below:
Careers Newsletter
The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them. - George Bernard Shaw
Careers Programme - Y7-10
Year 7
Identifying Skills
Careers talks, AESG Alumnae
Year 8
What are my interests?
Access to Unifrog, LMI
Year 9 Year 10
What’s available?
Post 14 Pathways
GCSE choices
10X challenge
Cluster group career interviews
Contacting employers
CV writing
Post 16 pathways
Careers Programme - Y11-13
Post 16 & 18 options
Degree apprenticeships
One to one career interviews
UCAS Personal statement preparation
Study Skills
Mini Mock Interviews Preparation
Work experience
One to one career interviews
Targeted support for admissions
Mock interview preparation
Preparation for assessment days
Networking
Unifrog
Careers talks and workshops
Half termly careers bulletin
Virtual careers events
Biennial careers fair
Unifrog is an online platform designed to help students with their career and education choices. It provides a range of tools and resources to support pupils in exploring career pathways, applying for universities, and understanding their options post-school. Key features include:
Career Exploration: Students can research different careers, including required qualifications and skills.
University Applications: Guidance on applying to universities, including writing personal statements and understanding admission requirements.
Skill Development: Tools to help students identify their strengths and interests, as well as track their progress.
Resources and Support: Access to a variety of resources, including information on apprenticeships, college courses, and job opportunities.
Unifrog aims to provide a comprehensive approach to help students make informed decisions about their futures.
You can also sign up to Unifrog’s parent / carer newsletter when you first sign in to get expert advice and guidance on supporting your child with their next steps. Unifrog is the 'one stop shop' for all things careers. If you have any issues signing up, please e mail Mrs Hilsley directly, rhilsley@aesg.co.uk.
Visiting Speakers
Visiting career speakers from various businesses and alumnae play a vital role in inspiring pupils as they explore their future pathways. These professionals share their real-world experiences, offering insights into their careers and the skills required to succeed in today’s job market.
By hearing first-hand accounts of successes and challenges, students can better understand the diverse opportunities available to them. Alumnae, in particular, serve as relatable role models, demonstrating how their education has shaped their careers and emphasising the importance of perseverance and adaptability. Such interactions not only motivate pupils but also foster connections that can lead to mentorship and future opportunities in their desired fields.
Here are some examples below of talks and visiting speaking:
Nina Thompson - LinkedIN Workshop
Nina started AESG in the Nursery and after 15 years at Alderley Edge School for Girls, she left having studied A Levels in Geography, Economics and Business Studies. Nina went on to study Strategic Fashion Management at London College of Fashion. The course was combined with a Master’s Degree in which she achieved a Distinction.
After a short time working in fashion, Nina became interested in Finance and joined Allard Wealth in London where she completed her Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Exams and became a fully qualified Financial Adviser.
Nina provided an engaging and hugely informative workshop on LinkedIn. She provided top tips on how to craft a profile, the importance of and how to create personal branding, creating a banner and writing a compelling summary. The Sixth Form Common Room was a hive of activity with the students busily creating their profiles and embarking on the first steps into the professional world.
Jonathan Dee -
Company Director Swizzels
Company Director of world renowned sweet brand Swizzels visited school to talk to the students about managing a global business.
InvestIN
Pupils attended a workshop with InvestIN, an organisation dedicated to bridging the gap between school and industry, by providing students with immersive career experiences.
Pupils in Years 7 – 9 used iPADS to take part in an interactive workshop where they were provided with inspiration for future career choices, acknowledging their skills and identifying a path they may be interested in. Thank you to InvestIN for this wonderful opportunity.
A Career in Microbiology
Sixth Form welcomed Pathologist, Dr Taylor to school to talk to the girls about Microbiology, the skills required to work in the field as well as how different diseases develop.
Dr Taylor is a specialist in Microbiology and Virology and has an MSc in Molecular Microbiology.
Careers Fair
AESG hosts a biennial Careers Fair showcasing over 70 delegates from a wide array of professions, ranging from healthcare and engineering to the arts and technology.
This vibrant event provided students with the unique opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals, ask questions, and gain insights into various career paths. Each delegate brings valuable experiences and knowledge, sharing not only the specifics of their roles but also essential advice on skills and qualifications needed in their fields. The fair created an inspiring atmosphere, allowing students to explore their interests, discover new possibilities, and begin envisioning their futures in a dynamic and supportive environment.
Business Links & Supporters
One to One Career Advice
A one-to-one careers guidance meetings with Mrs Hilsley provides focused, personalised support to help students explore and shape their future career paths. During the meeting, Mrs Hilsley works closely with the individual to identify personal strengths, preferences, and areas for growth, often drawing insights from psychometric test results. This process helps reveal innate talents and areas that may need development, making it easier to align career aspirations with personal attributes. Together, they discuss the individual’s long-term goals and outline possible career pathways, exploring relevant qualifications, courses, or training options to ensure the most suitable choices are made.
Mrs Hilsley also helps find opportunities for work experience or volunteering, giving hands-on experience that builds useful skills and boosts students’ confidence, making sure the they feels ready and better prepared for their future career.
Pupil Feedback
“I found out about what A level options I need for studying certain types of engineering and what other career and post 18 options there are. I also found out about different work experience opportunities.”
“I found the work experience links and ideas helpful, as well as the other outlook on drama vs musical theatre at uni.”
Apprenticeship Case Study
Jumanah Charbak AESG (2008 - 2023)
Jumanah left AESG in 2023 to follow her dream of training as a solicitor. During her time in VI Form her year group were visited by different apprenticeship providers and they were able to meet, face to face with a law firm offering apprenticeships. This gave the students the opportunity to secure work experience and ask the questions which were important to them.
After applying for a apprenticeship, Year 13 student, Jumanah was accepted into a Times Top 20 UK Law firm as a Law Apprentice. Law apprenticeships are extremely competitive and Jumanah competed against 166 exceptional applicants to gain her place.
Jumanah returned to AESG to support the careers convention and was inundated with questions from the students. She gave them valuable, honest advice and feedback on her experiences so far and is a true inspiration to many! Applying for apprenticeships can be daunting, especially if it's something new to you and your family, however help is on hand at AESG!
"Mrs Hilsley was always so keen to help me get into the best route into law. She was always happy to sit down and discuss the pros and cons of all options, and always encouraged me to aim high. Mrs Hilsley put me in touch with firms that had the type of social culture that I was looking for and was always supportive throughout the process. I am very grateful for all of her help!"
Jumanah C
Pupil Feedback
“I found it helpful to go through my options and figure out what to do before another conversation with Mrs Hilsley to fully figure out my next steps.”
“Finding out more work experience opportunities and next steps (whether I want to go into drama or simply just musical theatre).”
“Mrs Hilsley showed me different events and opportunities relevant to my desired career so I could find out more about it and engineering in general.”
“I learned more about my University options, and what is available for me. I also looked at volunteering and work experience options.”
“I understood my potential A Level options better.”
“I enjoyed my career one to one as I learned new things that I didn’t know. It was very helpful for my future decisions. I think we have covered all the aspects of my future that are available for me.”
Additional Opportunities
As a school, we provide students with a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities which support us in preparing students for life after AESG. Programmes such as Mini Mock Interviews equip aspiring Dentists and Medics with essential communication and interpersonal skills, preparing them for application processes.
Additionally, Model United Nations cultivates global awareness and diplomacy skills, allowing students to navigate complex international issues while enhancing their research and negotiation abilities. Together, these activities not only enrich the educational experience but also empower students to explore various career paths and develop a well-rounded skill set.
Articulation
Each year, AESG enters students into the Articulation Competition. The annual Articulation Prize invites those aged between 16 and 19 to deliver a 10-minute presentation to an audience about a work of art, architecture or an artefact in a museum or gallery setting.
They are many benefits to taking part in the competition such as increasing confidence, developing critical thinking and independent research skills. Articulation also supports academic accreditation and UCAS applications and prepares young people for employability and using transferable skills.
Young Enterprise
The Young Enterprise Programme gives students a unique opportunity to learn what it’s like to start and run their own business. Through hands-on experience, they develop key skills like teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and financial literacy. Students work together to create a product or service, manage budgets, and pitch their ideas, gaining confidence and a real-world understanding of entrepreneurship. The programme also helps build resilience and adaptability, setting students up with practical skills and insights that are valuable for any career path they choose.
Bar Mock Trial
The Bar Mock Trial gives students a first-hand experience of the legal world by letting them take on roles in a realistic court case. Participants act as barristers, witnesses, jurors, and court staff, developing key skills like critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. They prepare legal arguments, analyse evidence, and present cases in front of real judges in actual courtrooms. This experience builds confidence and offers insights into the justice system, giving students a taste of legal careers and valuable skills for any profession that requires strong analytical and communication abilities.
InvestIN
InvestIN offers students the chance to test-drive their dream career before they leave school. Their career experience programmes enable students to gain hands-on, practical industry experience alongside leading professionals, so that they can make the right career decisions and maximise their potential.
At AESG we are proud to be an InvestIN partner school, this means that not only do InvestIN visit us to deliver engaging careers workshops but parents can benefit from a 10% discount on their programmes by using our code AESG10.
Many of their weekend programmes begin in early November, with some occurring during the last weekend of the October half-term holiday. Our students who have attended the InvestIN events speak incredibly highly of their experiences. Attendees will leave the workshops with a broader understanding of a particular industry and will have the opportunity to speak directly with industry experts.
InvestIN Website
Apprenticeships
There its a national increase in the number of young people pursuing apprenticeships and given the varied and lengthy application process students require additional support and guidance.
Amazing Apprenticeships host series of informative webinars that provide an abundance of tips, advice, and information around the topic of apprenticeships. Each webinar lasts between 30 – 60 minutes and will take place on Zoom. Participants will be required to sign up before the session and will receive an email confirmation and a reminder an hour before it begins. The webinars will be recorded and shared with all registrants after the session.
Career Days
Career Days UK offers a comprehensive platform for students and job seekers to explore a variety of career paths through interactive events and resources. They organise career fairs, workshops, and networking opportunities, connecting participants with industry professionals and employers across diverse sectors. Attendees can gain insights into various careers, receive guidance on job applications, and enhance their interview skills. The platform aims to empower individuals by providing them with the tools and knowledge to make informed career choices and build successful professional futures.
Career Days Website
Medic Mentor - Allied Health
Medic Mentor is a national medical organisation dedicated to nurturing aspiring doctors, dentists and vets. They provide expert guidance on the medical school application process via mentoring, CV and wellbeing programmes. They empower students to make informed decisions and become happy, successful future doctors, vets and dentists as well as other health care professionals. As members of the NHS Confederation, they are dedicated to creating leaders who innovate, transform and strive to improve the NHS, thereby enhancing the nation’s health and wellbeing.
These Allied Healthcare Professions include:
Nursing
Midwifery
Paramedics
Physiotherapists
Prosthetists and orthotics
Speech and language therapists
Medic Mentor Website
Alderley Edge School for Girls, Wilmslow Road
Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK9 7QE
T: 01625 583028 W: aesg.co.uk