Careers Education
Introduction
At Emanuel it is our aim to build a sense of excitement and curiosity about careers.
The careers programme is overseen by the Head of Careers and Employability and supported by the Head of Work-based learning. They are here to encourage, guide, inform and inspire pupils about their future.
Careers education begins with the youngest pupils in the school and builds a sense of self awareness, ambition and understanding of the world of work.
The school is fortunate to be able to draw on an inspiring pool of alumni, parents and members of the local community who support events and offer work experience, internships and mentoring.
Sharing these opportunities with the local community is incredibly important and the school is proud to host pupils from community partner schools at the annual Higher Education and Careers convention and termly networking events.
Pupils leave Emanuel ready to take their next steps with confidence.
Lower School
In the Lower School the purpose of careers education is to ignite curiosity in the world of work. This is achieved through interactive activities and engaging discussions.
During Year 7 assemblies focused on careers pupils are encouraged to think about how they can act as detectives to understand more about the careers of the people they know.
Careers lessons are delivered during Life Education slots. The topics promote an interest in the changing workplace; how demand has changed for different skills and what will effect the future work environment. Another focus is understanding the different types of work such as self employment.
Pupils are encouraged to link their experiences in the classroom, sports teams and lunchtime clubs with developing an understanding of themselves. It is this attitude of self reflection and inquisitiveness that builds a foundation for future careers education and decision making.
In Middle School pupils take part in workshops, activities and events that increase self awareness, develop confidence and start to build their future network.
During the Year 10 careers day which takes place in the Spring term, pupils hear from guest speakers on a diverse range of topics including inclusivity in the workplace, CV and interview techniques and decision making tools. One of the highlights of the day is the entrepreneurial challenge where pupils work in small groups to develop a business idea. By reflecting on the tasks they are drawn to pupils are encouraged to think about how their strengths and aptitudes could apply to future careers.
All pupils complete Morrisby assessments in the summer of Year 10 and receive the report in a one to one meeting with the Head of Careers and Employability. The purpose of the report is to support self discovery, encourage career exploration and start the process of long term planning.
As pupils progress into Year 11 they have the privilege of attending evening networking events which facilitate conversations with professionals in a broad range of fields.
All pupils are encouraged to complete at least one week of work experience during the summer after Year 11. Significant guidance and support is provided to help pupils find placements. Those interested in medicine are offered specialist support.
Middle School
Sixth Form
It is during the Sixth Form that pupils make decisions that will have a significant effect their future. The foundation of self awareness and career knowledge built throughout Lower and Middle school empowers them to take these steps with confidence.
Every pupil in Lower Sixth will have a one to one careers meeting with the Head of Careers and Employability. The careers office is located on the ground floor of the Sixth Form Centre. During these meetings discussions revolve around aspirations, routes, options and ideas. Some pupils require a number of follow up meetings and there is a drop in service available at break and lunchtime.
Sixth Form pupils have access to a number of unique opportunities for gap year jobs, internships and work experience. These opportunities are advertised in the Sixth Form Centre and in the fortnightly ‘Emanuel Next Steps Newsletter’.
During ‘Futures Week’ at the end of Lower Sixth pupils take part in a range of activities including a workshop on workplace readiness and small business group challenges as well as hearing from an exciting line up of guest speakers on career relevant topics such as the impact of AI on the future of employment.
Higher
Education & Careers Convention
The annual Higher Education and Careers Convention takes place early in the Spring term. The event welcomes pupils, and their parents from Year 11 and Sixth Form.
The school is fortunate to host representatives from over 45 different careers and 25 different universities.
Pupils and their parents are encouraged to explore the stalls, and pupils use the opportunity to have valuable discussions with the exhibitors.
Pupils find the event extremely helpful in creating a university short-list and many have arranged successful work experience placements as a result of interactions at the convention.
A series of talks run alongside the stalls. Recent topics have included ‘Aspiring to Oxbridge’, ‘Making a successful medical application’ and ‘Understanding graduate employability’.
Networking Events
Termly networking events are an opportunity for pupils in Year 11 and Sixth Form to develop their understanding of a specific industry or career area and start to build a network of contacts. Recent events have focused on careers in science and careers in law, government and politics.
The events either take place on the school site or are generously hosted off-site, for example the careers in finance evening for hosted by EY.
During the events pupils talk informally to experienced professionals. The feedback from guests is always excellent and the pupils thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to ask questions and build their confidence networking.
