Careers Overview

Careers provision at Fitzharrys

The documents below outline Fitzharrys' careers provision:

Careers Strategy [under maintenance]

Exploring careers options at Fitzharrys

Exploring careers options, experiencing the working world, and receiving information, advice and guidance from fully qualified independent advisors are all important parts of the careers journey part of each Fitzharrys student’s personal development.

Fitzharrys is working with the Local Enterprise Partnership as part of the local Careers Hub. Our work with the LEP supports our work towards achieving the Gatsby benchmarks. We continue to develop our careers provision to make sure that all students receive the information, advice and guidance to support their ambitions and that they are aware of and inspired to explore new pathways.

Careers-related activities, CV and application writing and interview practice are features of our FitzFocus+ PSHE curriculum. Students meet with employers and people from a wide range of career areas during key stage three to broaden their knowledge of the variety of opportunities in their future working lives.

All students are prepared for and take part in work experience in Year 10. Our students return with a fresh perspective on the world of work.

In Year 11, every student has an individual careers interview with an independent specialist careers advisor. There is also information and guidance about pathways leading into the Sixth Form: JMF6-Abingdon, onto a college course or into an apprenticeship.

Regular careers events

At Fitzharrys School, all students have three careers experiences in each year group.

Year 7:

During careers week, students consider their personal pathways and focus on self knowledge.
Students encounter employers at our annual Careers Fair.
Students experience the world of work on Takeover Day, when all students are invited to apply to takeover any job at Fitzharrys School.

Year 8:

During careers week, students spend time developing their knowledge of what a career is, and what they might look for in decision-making about careers.
Students encounter employers at our annual Careers Fair.
Students experience the world of work on our Sustainability and STEM Day, when all students attend a carousel of activities hosted by people working in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, with a focus on Sustainability and Green Careers.

Year 9:

During careers week, students learn about the likely careers of the future.
Students encounter employers at our annual Careers Fair.
Students experience the world of work on our Careers in Construction Day, when all students attend a carousel of activities hosted by people working in the field of Construction, with a focus on local employers and the local labour market.

Year 10:

During careers week, students prepare for work experiene; they also learn how to write and maintain a CV, and have a practice interview with an employer.
Students encounter employers at our annual Careers Fair, and are invited to attend our Pathways Evening.
Students experience the world of work by completing a week of work experience.

Year 11:

During careers week, students look back at their careers journey in school so far, and look to the future.
Students encounter employers at our annual Careers Fair, and are invited to attend our Pathways Evening.
Students receive independent careers advice in an appointment with our careers advisor.

Post-16 careers information, advice and guidance

Post-16 students enjoy a comprehensive programme of careers advice, work experience and enrichment in our Sixth Form: JMF6-Abingdon. This includes access to independent school careers evenings and visits to a university and UCAS fair. There is also bespoke support to prepare for different pathways – apprenticeships as well as university applications (Oxbridge and Russell Group included).