Careers education forms a continuous thread throughout a Stoic's time at Stowe. It aims to provide a framework within which each can develop the self-awareness and experience necessary to make balanced decisions at each stage during their time at the school and, hopefully, after they leave. Stowe's Careers Education & Guidance Programme begins when pupils join in the 3rd Form at aged 13. It aims to provide increasing contact with the world outside throughout a Stoic's time at school and to help reach those decisions which affect their future in as well informed and balanced a way as possible. Every encouragement is given to discuss the various options with the Housemaster or Housemistress, Tutor and the Careers Staff.
The Careers Centre This is particularly well resourced with relevant informative material making full use of internet access about future jobs and Higher Education opportunities. Early and regular visits to the Centre are vital. The Centre is open during the daytime every weekday and Saturday mornings for pupils to research and explore their interests. In addition there are various computer programmes which Stoics can use both to determine Higher Education courses that match their interests and abilities and to look more widely at future careers. Every encouragement is given for regular visits to be made to the Centre during a Stoic's time at Stowe and parents are more than welcome to use the resources. Head of Careers
Lower School Careers Guidance The 3rd Form are introduced to Probe an interactive computer-based interest questionnaire. Relevant subjects are quoted so that pupils can select appropriate GCSEs. Throughout the 3rd Form, work is done to raise self-awareness and help decision-making in the build-up towards making GCSE option choices. There are also elements of career development in the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) work covered by Tutors during a pupil's time in both the 4th and 5th Forms. During the Michaelmas and Lent Terms of the 4th Form, all Stoics are introduced to Pathfinder, a complete careers guidance program comprising a psychometric assessment test of interests and job suggestions which will assist the eventual choice of AS levels. In the 5th Form, after taking their trial examinations, Stoics take a series of tests of aptitude and interest. The Cambridge Occupational Analysts (COA) Profile and Preview results are then explained and discussed at a one-to-one interview with COA staff in February. A report based on these results is given to each Stoic together with other information designed to help preliminary decisions about AS and A2 level courses. Further investigation and a second interview take place with Tutors and subject Heads of Department. Work experience is an important part of career exploration and Stoics are asked to spend some time on this at the end of the 5th Form, the object being to relate experience to potential career options. < Back to top
Upper School Careers Education & Guidance Stowe's careers Education & Guidance programme begins when Stoics join the in the 3rd Form at age 13. It aims to provide increasing contact with the world outside throughout their time at Stowe and help Stoics to reach those decisions which affect their future in as well informed and balanced way as possible. Every encouragement is given to discuss various options with Housemaster or Housemistress, Tutor and the Careers staff. If joining Stowe in the 6th Form, Stoics move straight on to Pathfinder HE and Centigrade in the Lent Term which gives some very clear guidelines for choosing the appropriate Higher Education pathway. The report Stoics receive will encourage them to use the facilities available, especially in the Careers Centre, for personal exploration into appropriate and well researched choices during the rest of their time at Stowe.
Careers Events During the two years spent in the 6th Form, Stoics attend a number of events designed to help their career planning, including a structured visit to the Careers Centre and a series of seminars on diverse career fields. A recorded practice interview for Stoics relevant subject area by specialist interviewers in that area act as definitive confirmation of their ultimate choices.
Careers Experience Courses If at Stowe for GCSEs, pupils are expected to undertake one week of work experience in the summer holiday between the 5th and 6th Form years. This is invaluable in bringing realism to thinking about the world of work and is increasingly looked upon by employers and university admissions as evidence of maturity and motivation. During the 6th Form there are opportunities during the holidays for Stoics to attend courses specifically aimed at informing about particular careers. These are run by professional bodies and commercial concerns especially for independent school pupils. Stoics are encouraged to make effective use of them.
UCAS UCAS is the Universities Centralised Admission System for degree courses at universities and colleges. Tutors keep in close touch with their Tutees about their hopes and potential, discuss options in depth, and guide Tutees through the relevant application procedure. All pupils will have a briefing on how to apply through UCAS Apply (internet application). Stoics, with their parents, will be introduced to these at the Higher Education and Gap Conference held each year. The Tutor and Housemaster/Housemistress will prepare the Stoics' academic and personal reference. In addition to the Stoic's recorded interview, the Tutor can also arrange mock interviews in preparation for the real thing. When A-Level results are known, the Tutor and Careers staff will be available to help any pupils who may need it.
