THERE is no such thing as a predictable career path for a Northampton High School girl. You’ll meet them everywhere – making their mark, being creative and getting heard. They possess the essential transferable skills needed for adapting to an uncertain economy and professional landscape, essential qualities for these times of change ahead of us. The foundation for this confidence and ability to lead begins in school, with the Inspiring Futures Programme.
The school does not expect students to know exactly what they want to study at university or what they want to be when they have left education; the emphasis is on discovery and keeping an open mind. It encourages students to be curious and enquiring by throwing exciting chances in their way whether it’s during Enterprise days held for girls in Key stages 2, 3 and 4, or when speaking to a professional during a Speed Networking event. Careers and Guidance is embedded within all aspects of school life, from specifically designed days and events, to the underlying origins of many of the lessons that are taught across all faculties. Many faculties organise guest speakers to expose the girls to more complex areas of certain employment networks.
Constantly feeding in ideas and experiences, allows the students to make informed decisions about their futures, from choosing their GCSEs to choosing an appropriate degree course. The school is firmly committed to careers and uuidance as it remains a dynamic and essential aspect of a well-rounded education for all girls at Northampton High.
The Inspiring Futures programme begins in Junior School (Key Stages 1 and 2) with the Looking Ahead guidance programme which builds from a focus in Early Years on People Who Help Us In School. In KS1 girls move their focus outwards to people who help us in our community. Within the guidance programme, girls to make links between learning in school and the world of work, and are encouraged to value service as an important part of being a citizen and to broaden their minds to the opportunities available to them.
The focus of guidance at Key Stage 3 is to help students form a clearer idea in their own minds of who they are -Knowing Myself. Girls are encouraged to make choices that are appropriate for development on an entirely personal and individual basis. This takes place through a journey of discovery to enable students to reach their own conclusions.
At KS4 the girls have already narrowed their subjects slightly for GCSE but will also be looking ahead to A Level options. As soon as they start their GCSEs the school begins to look ahead to the next stage of transition – Making Decisions – pulling in a range of employability skills through the KS4 Schemes of Work that are taught formally in lesson time. This includes CV writing, positive and professional online profiles, interview technique and cover letter writing. Guest speakers and a range of workshops are provided for students across the key stage to investigate individual career paths and issues surrounding employment, in greater detail.
For Sixth Form students there is a structured and bespoke guidance programme – Looking Beyond. Being part of the Sixth Form at Northampton High gives every girl the opportunity to thrive by developing her repertoire of work experience, both externally and through the Girls’ Day School Trust. Girls have access to large companies such as Nomura, PwC and Rolls Royce, to name a few. The school also offers a range of workshops, volunteering, and enterprise projects that help girls broaden their education and make strong UCAS applications at the beginning of year 13.
On leaving school or entering the Sixth Form, students become life-long members of the GDST Alumnae Network. The Network is a community of over 50,000 former students of the GDST, and a powerful resource for networking, careers and university assistance.?
For more information about Northampton High School and to arrange a visit, see the website www.northamptonhigh.gdst.net and contact Registrar, Mrs Amanda Wilmot, on 01604 765765 or email a.wilmot@nhs.gdst.net
