Beyond Dauntsey's
Today an estimated 65 per cent of children entering primary school will work in jobs that do not currently exist. Developing the right skills for future employers is no longer simply subject-specific.
Pupils must be guided towards the development of aptitudes and skills which are transferable to a range of different roles. My role as careers advisor focuses on getting to know the pupils, their strengths and weaknesses, and guiding them towards the best opportunities available here and beyond school.
When pupils arrive at Dauntsey’s, they begin a planned careers guidance programme reflecting the fact that choosing a career is a process and not an event.
In the Sixth Form, in addition to advice on university applications, we provide a programme of events to help pupils explore their options in more depth and meet people already working in fields that interest them. We have a network of contacts across a wide range of industries, drawn from the community, Old Dauntseians and existing parents. Talking to these contacts is enormously beneficial.
A career planning highlight is a “speed-dating” evening where pupils have multiple mini-meetings with a wide range of professionals. We also arrange visits to career fairs and university open days.
There are more than 130 universities in the UK offering in excess of 50,000 courses, making the selection of a suitable course seem daunting. Pupils are guided in their selection of a suitable university course through a detailed programme using the Unifrog system and three days of Post Dauntsey’s Planning Events organised by the careers department during Lower Sixth.
James O'Hanlon, Head of Careers
In the Spring term of their Lower Sixth year all are registered on the Unifrog system. A report is produced for each pupil giving a selection of courses and universities to consider and research further. In addition the search engine allows a review of certain international universities, apprenticeships and MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses).
All members of the Lower Sixth attend three days of Post Dauntsey’s Planning Events organised by the Careers Department in the second-half of the Spring and Summer Term. This includes an event for both parents and pupils held on a Saturday morning.
All pupils are encouraged to consult House staff, teachers and the Senior Careers Adviser at any time about their ideas and plans. Pupils are also strongly recommended to visit their final choices of university either at an official Open Day or by arrangement.
“The support for writing my personal statement and deciding on my university choices has been excellent and the careers team have run some really helpful sessions which has opened my eyes to the opportunities there are after school.”
Lower Sixth Former