The purpose of Careers at Abingdon School is to help pupils develop knowledge of themselves and the opportunities available to them so that they may serve others more effectively in the adult world into which they will enter. The heart of careers information is the Careers Library. Boys are introduced to the careers library in the third year and in the lower sixth. There is a wide selection of printed material together with specialist computer programs. In addition, University prospectuses, course guides, and university guides are kept in the Careers Library. The Careers Library is open at break, lunch, and after school. Pupils are encouraged to drop in and browse when they can.
Careers Education is a key part of the PSHE programme. In the third year we discuss the vast variety of occupations available to them, how they interact and depend upon each other, and how the level of expertise and training involved in different occupations. Boys then undertake their own research projects on an occupational area, and present this to the rest of their tutor group.
In the fourth year, we investigate how different people are suited to different careers. Each boy uses a simple, web-based, skills and interest questionnaire. This gives them a list of potential careers, and groups school subjects useful for these careers.
In the fifth year, we spend time looking at job application procedures, interview skills and at curricula vitae.
The school is a member of ISCO (Independent Schools Careers Organisation) and at the end of his fourth year each boy is given the chance to take part in their Futurewise scheme (charged separately to parents). In this scheme, pupils provide an interests questionnaire and sit the Morrisby psychometric test, administered by ISCO. These provide an assessment of interests and abilities. Boys are then interviewed by a professional careers adviser and a comprehensive report is sent to their parents. Membership of ISCO runs to age 23.
There is an annual careers convention held in conjunction with the School of St. Helen and St. Katharine, and Our Lady’s. The convention consists of a keynote speaker, several talks on specific career areas, and representatives for individual consultation in over 70 career areas.
The convention is compulsory for all fifth year boys, and advisory for sixth-formers. Parents are invited to attend with their sons. The convention usually takes place in February.
Those who are interested in a career with the armed forces can meet the appropriate liaison officers who usually visit the school each term.
The school attaches great importance to its work experience scheme. This takes place after GCSE’s have finished at the end of the summer term and is compulsory for all fifth year boys.
We provide information and advise on sponsorship and on a GAP year. Of particular value is the opportunity to take part in one or more “careers experience courses” arranged by agencies such as ISCO; we feel most strongly that each boy should attend at least one such course during his time in the sixth form.
Careers education is a vital part of the school’s curriculum. It broadens pupils’ knowledge of the world of work and occupations available to them, and how people interact in a professional capacity. By the time pupils leave the school, we hope to have given them an orientation to where they are headed in their adult life, and a determination to serve others in their chosen occupation.