Careers and Higher Education

We are fully committed to providing exceptional careers advice to our pupils throughout their time at Oakham and achieve this by delivering an in-house Careers Programme to support students in:

• Making well-informed decisions at key points of academic progression in Forms 3, 4 and 5 • Developing the skills and professional awareness needed to navigate the world of work in the 21st century • Applying for opportunities post-Oakham, including UK university applications, overseas study and apprenticeships.

The Careers Department is led by a full-time Head of Careers and Progression, who is a qualified careers advisor registered with the Careers Development Institute (CDI). We are also fortunate to have a full-time Careers and UCAS Co-ordinator and a dedicated Work Experience Officer, in addition to further co-ordinators for Oxbridge and Clinical applications. This allows Oakhamians access to a broad range of specialised advice from experienced staff, regardless of their career and study goals. We provide both internal and external support for students applying to study abroad; the School is also a SAT test centre, allowing students to take the admissions tests for US universities on site.

Having a full-time Head of Careers means that we can ensure that our careers advice is up-to-date and relevant in today’s fast-changing job market and the constantly evolving world of university provision. This makes it easier for students to choose a career path that is right for them.

CAREERS PROGRAMME PROGRESSION

FORM 3

• Pupils complete the Morrisby Careers Profile to inform GCSE options.

FORM 4

• Full Morrisby Profiling, relating an individual’s aptitudes and learning styles to possible career aspirations.

FORM 5

• One-to-one guidance interviews with a specially trained member of the Housebased pastoral staff; sessions on interview skills and producing a CV. • Work experience placements.

FORM 6

• ‘After Oakham’ course where pupils research courses and careers, look at employment skills, applying to university, non-university destinations and Gap years. • Specialist support for Oxbridge applicants, clinical courses including Medicine, and preparation for American SAT tests. • Work experience placements.

FORM 7

• Completing university applications, mock interviews (where appropriate). • Help with university places post results.

BEYOND OAKHAM

• Oakham’s Careers Department offers support with university applications for up to three years after pupils have left the

School. • The Hub, Oakham’s alumni network, offers careers advice, introductions, mentoring, and support on numerous levels.

CAREERS EVENTS

Annual Careers and HE Fair, a Science Guest Night, Careers Week, and University Day.

SPECIALIST SUPPORT

We offer a busy programme of events and activities for Oxbridge aspirants and pupils who are looking to study clinical courses, including Medicine.

For pupils who are interested in applying to American universities, we offer specialist support and preparation classes for American SAT tests and the School has recently been approved as an SAT test centre.

We also provide excellent preparation and support for pupils who wish to study Drama or Music at university, specialist drama schools and prestigious music colleges.

WORK EXPERIENCE

We encourage all students to undertake work experience after their GCSEs and during the summer following Form 6. Work experience enhances employability and greatly benefits university applications.

Our Work Experience Officer helps pupils with all aspects of their work experience; from sourcing and organising placements to assistance with writing CVs, preparing covering letters and applying for internships.

LIFELONG CAREER SUPPORT

We continue to offer help and advice even after Oakhamians have left us. We are delighted that so many Oakhamians maintain lifelong links with the School. As well as hosting regular social events, our Old Oakhamian Club enables our former pupils (OOs) to keep in touch with each other, developing valuable contacts both socially and professionally.

Our online alumni platform, The Hub, allows OOs to benefit from a ready-made social and professional network. Offering careers advice, introductions, mentoring, and support on numerous levels, The Hub continues where school left off. Whether this means having a conversation with an OO who has just left university and would like to know more about a specific industry, expanding your business links, or searching for suitable interns, The Hub aims to give all OOs access to an extensive network, with which they already have a unique link.