Guidance Department

The Guidance Department can be involved in pupils’ lives from their first year if necessary. The Guidance Library in A House is stocked with reference materials of all kinds, and pupils have access to a number of other resources through the Guidance section of Firefly on their desktops.

Pupils in the Hundred complete a ‘My Career Choices’ questionnaire to assist in the choice of Upper School subjects, and in the Lower Sixth a ‘My Uni Choices’ questionnaire starts off the process of choosing what to do after they leave Marlborough. The reports generated from these questionnaires form the basis of discussions with parents, tutors, HMs and the Guidance Department about future choices. ‘My Career Choices’ is followed by an interview with a visiting professional, and thereafter it informs discussions with parents, tutors (who write a formal report of their conversations), HMs and the Guidance Department about future choices. ‘My Uni Choices’ forms the springboard for the individual consultation each Lower Sixth pupil has with a member of the Guidance Department, and again a report is generated and sent to the pupil, their HM, tutor and parents. Part of the consultation is a tour of the resources in the Guidance Library that are available to assist planning the future.

The Head of Department, Mr Guy Nobes, is assisted by ten members of Common Room and a Secretary/Administrator; the Library is open all the time and staffed every afternoon. Over the Lent and Summer Terms the Guidance Department organises gap year and careers fairs, and visiting speakers from higher education institutions and Old Marlburian university students. These activities, together with university open days, gap year opportunities and other matters of importance, are publicised on the College website and through weekly bulletins to all the houses, and are also sent to parents and pupils in weekly emails. Regular deadlines are set to help pupils at key times in their decision-taking. Mr Nobes is always happy to talk over issues with pupils and parents. For those who are interested in applying to universities abroad, briefing, application and ACT sessions are arranged throughout the year. Trips to U.S. college fairs are also organised, and visiting speakers from international institutions are hosted.

Interview training is provided by visiting professionals for any pupil in the Upper Sixth who wishes to have it, and the cost is charged to the bill. Even though interviews for higher education are no longer common, many pupils find it helpful to develop their self-presentation skills and to be challenged on their choice of courses. Work experience is an option for pupils at any point during their school careers when academic work will not be disrupted. A natural opportunity for work experience occurs for the Hundred after their (I) GCSEs, and pupils are encouraged to consider a short period of work experience at that time.