CAREERS OVERVIEW
CAREERS EDUCATION, INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (CEIAG)
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance covers a wide variety of activities. These range from individual career interviews based on an assessment by questionnaire of personal attitudes and aptitudes to special careers information courses.
Careers conferences, careers events and work experience are also arranged for particular year groups. These give our girls opportunities to gain first hand knowledge and an awareness of their prospective careers whilst also providing important links with industry and commerce.
When girls enter their Middle School and Senior School years, it is necessary to make choices between certain subjects. Arrangements are made for direct consultation involving parents, pupils and teachers, and the Careers Adviser, based on detailed information on the options and career requirements.
CEIAG AT KEY STAGE 3
All pupils participate in Employability modules in each year as part of the Learning for Life and Work programme. These modules cover topics such as employability skills, work in the local and global economy and enterprise. They also include a focus on career information and career planning.
All Year 10 parents and pupils receive a GCSE Subject Nomination booklet which includes advice and detailed information on all subjects offered at GCSE level. Pupils in Year 10 and parents are offered the opportunity to talk to a Careers Adviser from the NI Careers Services to discuss GCSE subject choice nominations and career interests at the Options Event in February. Pupils in Year 10 have individual guidance interviews with Careers and Junior School staff to offer tailored guidance on GCSE subject nominations. Year 10 pupils attend a Careers assembly which outlines the key points to consider and gives advice to allow pupils to make the most appropriate subject choices. Staff offering ‘new’ subjects they could nominate for GCSE offer lunchtime taster sessions to allow pupils to learn more about these subjects and to ask questions about them.
CEIAG at KS4
This builds on the programme covered in Key Stage 3 and provides a foundation for career guidance in Senior School. It is delivered through an Employability module in each of Year 11 and 12.
Each year 12 pupil completes a Career’s Guidance questionnaire from the NI Careers Service and has an interview with a Careers Adviser to discuss and support her career plans. The Careers Adviser also briefs the Year 12 pupils on their Post 16 Options at a Careers Assembly.
Year 12 parents and pupils receive an AS Subject Nomination booklet which includes advice and information on choosing A Level subjects. All Year 12 pupils attend a Careers Assembly regarding their AS subject nominations which provides advice and guidance on making the most suitable AS nominations. Staff offering ‘new subjects they could nominate for A Level offer lunchtime taster sessions to allow pupils to learn more about these subjects and to ask questions about them. Pupils in Year 12 have individual guidance interviews with Careers and Middle School staff to offer tailored guidance on GCSE subject nominations. All Year 12 pupils and parents are offered the opportunity to talk to a Careers Adviser from the NI Careers Service to discuss GCSE subject choice nominations and career interests at the Options Event in February.
AS Level Subject Choice Book 2026
Year 13
An Information Evening for Year 13 Parents in September provides an insight into the demands of the ‘AS’ Level Curriculum including the Careers programme. There is also a presentation on Oxbridge entrance.
The Careers Adviser outlines the Post 18 Options to the pupils at a Careers assembly. To assist girls in making informed decisions at this stage, all pupils participate in a careers module. This covers the main options on leaving school at 18, with a focus on preparation for Higher Education, as well as the preparation and follow up for Work Experience.
Careers guidance materials, lectures and visiting speakers, etc are also provided. All pupils have the opportunity to visit the UCAS Higher Education Convention in March.
All girls have the opportunity of a one week work placement and are able to participate in Open Days in areas such as dentistry, speech and language therapy, radiography etc.
All girls have the opportunity to attend the Med-link, Vet-link Conferences, the MCB Engineering, Law and Medical Conferences. A number of girls attend Stranmillis College Open day.
Pupils also have the opportunity to be part of running a small business through the Young Enterprise Scheme.
Year 13 pupils have the opportunity to avail of one-to-one Careers guidance and information interviews on request with the NI Careers Service advisers.
Parents and pupils are invited to information and discussion events at which admission officers from Scottish Universities, Newcastle & Northumbria Universities, Queens University Belfast and University of Ulster give presentations.
Year 14
Girls are given guidance on post-18 applications to Higher education, Further education, apprenticeship pathways and on entering the world of employment. Visits to university Open Days and Careers conventions are also arranged. A Careers module is provided for all pupils to guide them through the university application process and to provide information and advice on various aspects of university life, as well as other post-18 pathways.
Year 14 pupils have the opportunity to avail of one-to-one Careers guidance and information interviews on request with the NI Careers Service advisers.
To gain further experience of the world of work, pupils can take part in the School’s Teaching Practice programme in local primary schools.
An opportunity to enhance their interview skills is provided for pupils through a dedicated Interview Skills Day, with the help of local employers. Pupils applying for university courses in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine participate in mock MMI (Multi Mini Interviews) to help them to prepare for the admissions process used by medical schools.
