At Redmaids’ High we endeavour to prepare our students not only for the demands of the classroom, but more importantly for the outside world and their future beyond school. For our Sixth Form, a significant part of this is their chosen professional field and the career path in which they follow. To help, we offer our Year 12 and 13 students a variety of workshops, programmes and opportunities that provide invaluable insight and first-hand work experience, so our Sixth Formers can make the most informed decisions as they pursue their future.
Below we’ve put together the top five ways our students can feel even more prepared during Sixth Form as they look to begin the career of their dreams...
1) Networking events
In Years 12 and 13 we offer opportunities to meet with numerous people from a vast selection of occupations to help narrow down specific career interests. A particular highlight are our Networking Evenings, where students mix with industry professionals and gain real understanding of what it's like to work in these areas. Previous guests have included the Royal Navy, Royal Bank of Scotland, Deloittes, the BBC, Burges Salmon, and the MOD to name but a few, where professions have covered everything from doctors and surgeons, actors and journalists, lawyers and politicians, and engineers and architects - we’ve even had professionals from the field of cyber security come and visit us.
2) Lighthouse Programme
Our Lighthouse Programme aims to enhance the learning experience for our Sixth Form students, further developing their skills and expertise outside of the school curriculam. It's delivered through timetabled lessons, tutor times, assemblies and during our Activities Week. Our students learn more about topics including drugs awareness, personal finance, resilience and self-defence, but there are many elements that are directly aimed at providing the students with significant career support such as looking at personal branding, being smart with social media choices, interview preparation and advice on how to turn ambitions into actions. Click HERE to find out what our students have so far been learning about this academic year.
3) Lighthouse Mentoring
Our Lighthouse Mentoring scheme connects current Redmaids' High students to the alumnae that have gone onto relevant further education pathways or careers. The connection helps our students get a better understanding of what specific universities or professional fields are like, so they can make more informed decisions about what is right for them. Our alumnae forge top careers in conventional areas including law, medicine or engineering, as well as in creative industries such as the performing arts, fashion or museum curation. Many have launched their own successful businesses too and together, are an extremely knowledgeable group who have proven to make excellent mentors.
4) Work experience
Work experience is an important way to learn about career options, and for some vocational degrees, it is essential. At Redmaids’ High, not only do we help our students find the industry that most suits them, but using our wide range of contacts we also work with them to secure work experience too so they can learn more about specific professions and gain relevant or transferable skills they can take forward.
5) Interview practice
The art of the interview is one that can require some time and a lot of practice to perfect. Our students' ability to think on their feet and speak confidently are skills they develop in their school years through the critical thinking, debate and discussions encouraged in class, and through the delivery of various presentations to their peers. As well as this, we also offer the opportunity to take part in practice interviews with professionals in a field that interests them, gaining real insight into what questions and topics may be covered and what answers make an impact.
And before you even get to Sixth Form...
At Redmaids’ High we believe it is never too early to start discussing the future and we are here to support our students right at the start of that process. In Year 9 we have an Employability and Enterprise Skills Day, in Year 10 we host a ‘Women in Careers’ conference, and in Year 10 every student will have a guidance mentor assigned to them to discuss ideas, and help our girls make proactive choices that will positively shape their future.
To find out more download our Sixth Form prospectus here: