Careers & Work Experience

All students in Year 10 are encouraged to write and submit a CV during a series of tutor sessions in the Summer term. The Careers Office staff also offer lunchtime CV workshops during the Autumn term of Year 11.

At the end of Year 10, all students are given the opportunity to complete the online Morrisby test which helps to inform their vocational strengths, higher education options and career opportunities – further details of the test can be found here.

By the end of Year 11, students are expected to have completed one or more periods of work experience, whether virtually or in-person. Covid has changed the nature of work experience significantly; however there are a range of experiences available and we encourage the students to take advantage of these throughout the year.

Not only does work experience give students an insight into possible careers but also, in many cases, it helps them to develop invaluable contacts for the future.

Students  are strongly encouraged to build on the experience they gained in Year 11 by completing further work experience in the Sixth Form, and many go on to organise excellent work placements for themselves during the school holidays. Any opportunities that come in through the school are advertised to the students by the Careers Office.

The Careers Department runs a series of Careers Breakfasts for students in the Lower Sixth from the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools. These take place throughout the year with each breakfast focusing on a different sector. The sessions give students the opportunity to hear from, and network with, contacts in their area of interest in an informal setting. 

We make the most of the OH network and our parent contacts to organise talks and workshops throughout the year; as well as keeping students informed about the range of apprenticeship and gap year opportunities that are open to them.

We also hold two major events which take place biennially. Our Careers Convention is an evening event which is open to students in Years 10 and 11. This is attended by employers from a wide range of sectors as well as gap year organisations – students can come along, meet representatives from different fields and find out more about pathways in their areas of interest. It also includes a key-note session as well as panel Q&As. The Careers Convention took place as virtual video interviews in 2021, which can be found here.

Habs Dragons’ Den was introduced in 2016 in order to encourage the students to develop their entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and presentation skills. The competition is open to students in Years 10 and 11 and gives them the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of high-profile Dragons. It is hugely popular and now runs across both the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools.  Further details of Habs Dragons’ Den 2022 can be found here. 

The Careers programme is run by the Head of Careers (Mrs Kerry Nash), who is based in the Careers Office (Room M10). Students are very welcome to drop into the office with any queries, and we are also happy to hear from parents with any comments, questions or ideas.