Careers Education and PSCE in the Fifth Form
Head of PSCE Mrs Caroline Bond
The Head of Careers co-ordinates the Careers Education and Guidance activities that take place within the school. Other input is provided by tutors, the Head of PSCE, the Head of Senior and Lower Schools and Housemasters/mistress. The Careers Education and PSCE programmes in Pangbourne aim to equip students with the skills they need to make the successful transition through the various stages of College life. In the increasingly competitive world of work, sound careers advice is essential and we aim to enable students to maximise their potential and to have the opportunity to discover the career areas most appropriate to their individual talents and aspirations. Students are encouraged to carry out their own research using the resources available to them but under the guidance of one or more of the adults mentioned. All year groups take a programme of Personal, Social and Citizenship Education (PSCE) modules, delivered in designated PSCE lessons or during tutorial slots. Career related modules are delivered within this programme.
5th form PSCE programme
One of the aims of the 5th form PSCE programme is to provide students with opportunities for Careers Education and Guidance. In the Michaelmas term, the fifth form are involved in the Futurewise Profiling process run by the independent Schools Careers Association (ISCO) which is followed up by a series of guidance interviews with a Futurewise adviser. For some, this will have been their first interview experience and the feedback from the Futurewise staff is always tremendously positive.
The aim of the profiling is to stimulate discussion by providing objective information which looks at an individuals’ potential ability. By identifying preferred learning styles, study skills and aptitudes - career suggestions are given, which are intended to stimulate further investigation.
Psychometric profiling is widely used in the workplace to identify suitable candidates for recruitment and promotion. This reflects not only the value of the process, but also the relevance of the experience for young people who are likely to meet it again in the future. It is fully recognised by the British psychological Society, and because results measure potential they remain consistent over the years. So, although it seems a long way off – students and parents can be reassured of comprehensive assistance with their options at sixth form level and beyond, until they are 23!
Copies of the full profiles are sent to parents. All students can access their profiles online at www.myfuturewise.org.uk using their user ID and date, found on the front of their profiles. In previous years, Futurewise advisers have been impressed with the number of students that had already accessed their profiles prior to interview. Parents are also sent a personal Parent ID which will allow you to view your son or daughter’s results.
Next term, the profiles will be used as a basis for important student-tutor discussions in relation to their individual study and career options. Mr Read Wilson, myself and subject teachers will also be on hand to guide students through the process of choosing the most suitable combination of A-levels.