Careers Overview
Careers provision at Fitzharrys
The documents below outline Fitzharrys' careers provision:
Exploring careers options at Fitzharrys
Exploring careers options, experiencing the working world, and receiving information, advice and guidance from fully qualified independent advisors are all important parts of the careers journey part of each Fitzharrys student’s personal development.
Fitzharrys is working with the Local Enterprise Partnership as part of the local Careers Hub. Our work with the LEP supports our work towards achieving the Gatsby benchmarks. We continue to develop our careers provision to make sure that all students receive the information, advice and guidance to support their ambitions and that they are aware of and inspired to explore new pathways.
Careers-related activities, CV and application writing and interview practice are features of our FitzFocus+ PSHE curriculum. Students meet with employers and people from a wide range of career areas during key stage three to broaden their knowledge of the variety of opportunities in their future working lives. The Enterprise Project in Year 9 brings additional opportunities and insight into the world or business and entrepreneurship.
All students are prepared for and take part in work experience in Year 10. Our students return with a fresh perspective on the world of work.
In Year 11, every student has an individual careers interview with an independent specialist careers advisor. There is also information and guidance about pathways leading into the Sixth Form: JMF6-Abingdon, onto a college course or into an apprenticeship.
Regular careers events
Fitzharrys School organises regular careers exploration events for students, including:
Year 8 Human Careers Library
A human library involves students ‘borrowing’ each volunteer – or ‘human book’ – for a short time to learn from all the knowledge inside each ‘book’ about their particular job, workplace and sector. Students have the opportunity to hear each individual talking passionately about what they do and to ask lots of questions, finding out all about their career choices and pathways, qualifications, experience, role and top tips.
Year 9 Enterprise
With advice from local Business volunteers, students will be encouraged to use an enterprising mindset to work in groups to pitch their business ideas. This challenge will require students to put their creativity and problem-solving skills into action and hopefully hear the words “you’re hired”.
Year 10 Employability Workshops
A series of workshops focused on equipping students with the practical skills they can transfer to the world of work – such as interview and CV writing tips. Our Employability Workshops are designed to give students the best chance to gain employment whilst increasing, Self-Awareness, Self-Confidence, Decision Making, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Motivating Skills and Personal Wellbeing.
Apprenticeship Information events
The Apprenticeship Support & Knowledge for schools and colleges programme (ASK programme) is funded by the Department for Education and aims to support schools and colleges in England to increase awareness of apprenticeships, traineeships and T Levels amongst students, parents, carers, teachers and careers advisers. During their time at Fitzharrys students will have the opportunity to attend a range of activities, including, awareness assemblies, application workshops and mock assessment workshops.
SOLP Careers Fair
SOLP (South Oxfordshire Learning Partnership) Careers Fair is an event shared across the town. Students have the opportunity to speak to a wider range of employers and to apprentices, including former Fitzharrys students.
Post-16 careers information, advice and guidance
Post-16 students enjoy a comprehensive programme of careers advice, work experience and enrichment at the Outstanding rated joint Sixth Form: JMF6-Abingdon. This includes access to independent school careers evenings and visits to a university and UCAS fair. There is also bespoke support to prepare for different pathways – apprenticeships as well as university applications (Oxbridge and Russell Group included).
Enterprise Advisors
The Enterprise Adviser Network is formed of volunteer business professionals who help support pathways into industry and bridge the gap between the world of work and education. They work with Careers Leaders and senior leaders at the school or college to create opportunities for young people.
We are fortunate at Fitzharrys to have 2 enterprise advisors who are currently supporting our Careers work.
Rob Williams - Until recently, Rob was Chief Financial Officer at Cardiff University where he was responsible for finance, procurement and estates. Prior to Cardiff, he was Deputy Director of Finance at the University of Oxford where he was responsible for financial operations and a major change programme. Rob’s early career saw him qualify as a chartered accountant with Deloitte in Cardiff. After a period with PwC in Zambia he joined HTV, the regional ITV contractor, becoming Group Treasurer and a director of Partridge Films, the award-winning natural history programme maker. This was followed by a number of senior finance roles with the BBC in London supporting the production division and the BBC’s national radio & music activities. Rob is married with two grown up children. His interests include running, golf and travelling, particularly in Italy.
Natalie Davis - Natalie Davis is the founder of Wellbeing Generation and the Wellbeing Girl and has a background in physical activity and sports development. Read more about Natalie’s story here: About The Wellbeing Girl (thewellbeinggeneration.org.uk)
