Employability and Career Education

The Careers Programme at St Edwards School Oxford is designed to support pupils throughout their academic journey, from Shells to Upper Sixth. It provides a structured framework that equips pupils with the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed decisions about their future careers. Pupils in all years are entitled to access to the careers provisions and impartial careers advice to support them in their decision making.

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Our Careers Department offers:

Impartial Guidance

The programme is delivered in an impartial, unbiased and information-led manner, with each year group building upon the knowledge and skills acquired in the previous years.

Individualised Support

The Careers Centre offers personalised guidance through one-on-one consultations and drop-in clinics. All pupils can arrange to see the Level 6 qualified Careers Adviser or Head of Careers as and when needed.

Exploration and Discovery

Pupils are encouraged to explore their interests, strengths, and values to identify suitable career paths.

Actionable Skills Development

The programme equips pupils with practical skills such as CV writing, interview techniques, and networking.

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The Careers Department work with pupils throughout their time at St Edward’s, ensuring that the decisions they make about their future are carefully considered and planned. This guidance is structured as follows:

SHELL

• Introduction to the Careers Programme and platforms such as icould and Unifrog.
•  Exploration of personal strengths and values through interactive activities (e.g. the careers balloon debate) as part of the Wellbeing programme.
• Exposure to the working world through Labour Market Information sessions.
• Individual consultations to discuss GCSE course selection.

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 FOURTH FORM

• Exploration of post-GCSE options through discussions and self-assessment tools.
•  Development of CV writing skills and guidance on voluntary work experience placements.
•  Individual careers guidance conversations to discuss future aspirations with the Careers Adviser.
• Access to psychometric profiling and Unifrog resources for career research.
• Participation in the Careers Festival and Fourth Form Enterprise Day.

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FIFTH FORM

• Guidance on post-16 choices, including A-Levels, IB, apprenticeships, and Higher Education.
• Support in refining CVs and exploring the pros and cons of (degree) apprenticeships.
• Opportunities to attend the Careers Festival, network and learn about voluntary work experience.
• Individual consultations to discuss university applications and future plans.

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LOWER SIXTH

• Focus on enhancing applications for universities, apprenticeships, or employment and alternative post-18 options.
• One-to-one conversation with the Careers Adviser.
• Development of skills for assessment centres and networking.
• Support for aspiring medics and lawyers through subject-specific societies.
• Guidance on gap years, studying abroad, and degree apprenticeships.
• Access to university representatives, apprenticeship providers, and gap year advisors.
• Participation in the Careers Festival and Employability Morning.

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UPPER SIXTH

• Continued support for finalizing university applications and career decisions.
• Opportunities for mock interviews and advice on life at university.
• Development of personal branding skills for professional networking.
• Encouragement to participate in the Careers Festival and hone networking skills.

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Additional Resources

• The Careers Department organises regular talks and workshops. These Inspiring Futures talks feature professionals from a range of backgrounds, from design and marketing to engineering and tech. These talks complements the super curricular speakers series and offerings organised by academic subject departments.
• A dedicated careers library is available within the Careers Centre.
• The Careers Centre is conveniently located in the heart of the school and is easy accessible by pupils.
• We work with CareerCompanion, who provide an independent and impartial gateway to careers information on the internet. Pupils, parents and guardians can access CareerCompanion via the link below:

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The Team

 

We encourage our pupils to actively engage with the Careers Programme and take advantage of the various resources available. If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact the Careers Department at careerseducation@stedwardsoxford.org.