Careers Support

Careers Support Head of Department: Dr K Dickers (dickersk@ashfordschool.co.uk)

At Ashford School, we firmly believe in supporting the whole of a student’s learning experience. In terms of careers support, we have two primary aims:

1. Ensuring that all pupils are informed about relevant career, higher and further education options available to them. 2. Identifying what pupils enjoy, are good at, and might like to do in the future.

University represents an important route available to all pupils, but due to the dynamic and complex nature of the job market, our support extends to a much wider range of opportunities - including apprenticeships, other employment and gap years. To help Sixth Form pupils explore the options open to them, we organise various activities throughout the year.

Career testing

In Year 12, new students take the Morrisby Profile, an online career assessment that gives tailored advice on career pathways, degree courses and apprenticeships. Those who took the Profile in Year 10 can update their information. The profiling results form the basis for subsequent one-to-one discussions.

One-to-One Support

The Head of HE and Careers, Dr Dickers, meets with all Year 12 and 13 pupils individually to discuss their career plans and university options. This support is available throughout the year if pupils or parents want to arrange an appointment at any time.

Application support

Sixth Form students have talks on topics such as choosing a degree course and university, how to research university choices, the UCAS application process and student finance. In Year 12, we have the Life Skills Company provide a specialist personal statement workshop. In Year 13, we provide all pupils with one-to-one support through the application process. As a former Admissions Tutor at Cambridge University, Dr Dickers provides specialist guidance to our Oxbridge candidates, giving tailored advice, support with applications and help with interview preparation to each student.

Support is also available for students applying to universities outside the UK, and we have experience with many international destinations, including Hong Kong, Canada, the United States, Australia and the Netherlands. We also help students with applications for apprenticeships and jobs.

External Speakers

Throughout the year, we have a range of external speakers who deliver talks about careers, university degrees and subject areas. Last year, we had talks about studying at Oxbridge (University of Cambridge), why study the humanities (New College of the Humanities) and sport-related degrees (Cardiff Metropolitan University). Students also had the opportunity to hear from a managing partner in a major law firm about the different routes into legal careers, from one of our alumnae about her career in the Diplomatic Service, and from CXK about apprenticeships in the UK.

University & Careers Fair

Every two years we organise and host a University & Careers Fair, inviting universities, employers and training providers to attend. In 2018, we hosted 35 UK-based universities, plus representatives from overseas universities, gap year organisations, apprenticeships, armed forces and specialist providers. In 2020, we hosted an online university fair, with speakers from 34 UK universities and apprenticeship providers. These have proved to be a great success in exposing pupils to the range of opportunities available after they finish school.

Careers Bulletin

We produce a weekly careers bulletin for Sixth Form pupils and parents. This highlights upcoming university open days and taster events, conferences, summer schools and job opportunities. We also have a careers library with guides to apprenticeships, career options and university choices.