At Northampton High School, the Careers Education and Guidance that pupils receive is independent and impartial and actively involves pupils and parents. The programme begins in Upper Fourth through the tutorial system, helping girls make decisions about GCSE Options. In Lower and Upper Fifth Careers lessons are part of the PSHCE programme. This helps pupils to have:- 

  • A growing awareness of their own strengths and skills
  • A knowledge of a wide range of further and higher education, training and employment opportunities
  • Practice at making decisions and choices
  • Confidence in using a variety of information sources
  • Skills for coping with change and dealing with the world of work 

The Head and Deputy Head of Careers and external advisors offer support when needed and are involved through:- 

  • Class work, group work and interviews
  • Providing information and ideas
  • Providing advice and guidance
  • Giving help with applications for training, employment, further and higher education 

Pupils have the opportunity to discuss their progress with their form tutor and teachers and to record their achievements relating to personal, educational and vocational development. 

In the Lower Fifth, pupils are offered the opportunity of one week work experience placement, or a week’s Outward Bound course. The girls have a further opportunity, post 16, to sample the world of work to help them with their Sixth Form course and with decisions about their future. 

The school runs a Careers Conference every 2 years where external speakers are invited to give presentations about their careers. This provides valuable insights into real-life working environments and broadens girls’ understanding of career opportunities. 

The GDST Alumnae Network 

On leaving school or entering the Sixth Form, students become life-long members of the GDST Alumnae Network. The Network is a community of over 50 000 former students of the GDST, and a powerful resource for networking, careers and university assistance. Sixth Formers can benefit from  help with sourcing work experience with alumnae and opportunities to apply for paid internships via the Network.

Link to GDST Alumnae Network website.