Careers Advice & Guidance
Careers Education and Guidance is a vital part of the educational process by which young people
from the earliest years, develop the abilities to make realistic and well informed decisions about their future. At Holy Family, we do this by helping students to:
- Form definite career preferences by researching a wide range of career options.
- Acquire the skills of self-presentation, self-appraisal and personal planning (for the completion of applications to further education, higher education, apprenticeships and employment).
- Assume the responsibility for making those decisions which will affect their future educational career.
- Appreciate that decisions may need to be changed if circumstances or preferences change.
For example, our sixth form students are involved in the following activities:
- Creating and reviewing a Career Plan and setting targets.
- Attending Higher Education and University Open Days.
- Seminars with University Schools’ Liaison Officers prior to considering their UCAS application.
- UCAS application on line.
- Reviewing University admissions criteria profiles available on the Internet.
- Preparation for Oxbridge entry.
- Access to university prospectuses in the sixth form study room
Career Guidance Interviews
All pupils at Holy Family have access to impartial face to face career guidance interviews with our qualified Careers Adviser, Dr Fred Fortune (from Career Connect, a Matrix Standard accredited company). Guidance interviews are tailored to individual needs and aspirations and cover all options available; at the school, at other providers (either locally or nationally) and in training, employment or self-employment. Pupils receive an action plan, the content of which is agreed in the interview, which details their next steps in either making or carrying out their decisions.
Pupils can access this service through their tutors and Student Services or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
As well as providing guidance interviews, and some lessons and group sessions, Fred is present at parents evenings from year 9 upwards, as well as the sixth form open evening, Higher Education evening and year 8 options evening.
Also from Career Connect, Pupils and their parents also have access to Get Connected, an interactive web based careers resource.
Get Connected has many features, including:
- Access to the latest Psychometric Assessments that inspire learners to think about their futures, strengths and weaknesses
- Interactive tools, such as a CV builder, Personal Action Plan and Employability Profile
- Over 45 exclusive leaflets detailing Higher Education choices, degree options and competition for entry
- Information about Apprenticeships - what they are, how to find and apply for them
- Locally tailored information on choices at 14, 16, and 18 including what is available via 6th Forms, Further Education Colleges, Training Providers and Universities
- A range of the latest local and national labour market information
Pupils and parents can also contact the National Careers Service for support; by telephone 0800 100 900, text 07766 413219, webchat, or email through their website.
Useful Websites:
http://wwwnationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
https://www.careerconnect.org.uk/Login.aspx
