There was plenty of coverage last week about MP's concerns over the decline of Careers advice in schools (click here for BBC coverage). Having an education which not only gives young people the skills to thrive in the workplace but also an insight into different career paths is absolutely crucial - especially in a time of economic uncertainty.
I cannot help wondering if the decline in Careers advice is linked in with the increasing emphasis on measuring schools by a narrow range (e.g. the limited number of subjects in the English Baccalaureate and how many pupils study 'facilitating subjects' at A Level).
Once again, I feel very fortunate to be working in the independent sector where there is greater freedom to select the right balance and ensure our pupils have a proper, rounded education. Last term we launched a web-based Careers site for our current and former pupils called 'The Jobs Network'. It draws on the expertise of current parents and former pupils (Mentors) who are willing to offer advice on their chosen career practical help with work experience, CV writing and interview skills.
For our current pupils, this has already led to CV writing clinics, workshops on preparing for interviews and introductions to different careers. Later on this term we are setting up mock job interviews for our Upper Sixth pupils. There is a graduate entry job specification for which they will submit a letter of application and their CV and they will then have an interview with one of our Mentors and receive feedback on the process. Far better to make mistakes and learn from them at school than later on in life.
This sort of opportunity is invaluable. Especially with very few universities interviewing for entry, often the first such experience comes towards the end of university when a job is at stake. It is not difficult to build this into education. For example, we are currently interviewing pupils for Sports Scholarships and have deliberately used the format of a job interview so that they have an experience which develops those skills.
For our former pupils, this sort of Careers advice is particularly important and points out another problem nationally in seeing Careers advice as something done in schools. We can do a huge amount with our pupils while they are with us but we fundamentally see our association with pupils and parents as being a lifelong process. A real education not only prepares you to leave school but also sustains you beyond the school gate.
