We are indebted once again to the Old Campbellians for their support in some of the activities from our Careers Programme this year.  From providing the benefit of their skills and expertise at mock interview evenings, agreeing to be interviewed about their Career pathways by our Year 9 pupils, to facilitating work experience placements, they have enriched our provision, inspiring and guiding the new generation of Campbellians.   

In January we held our Year 12 ‘Assessment Centre’ programme, the aim of which is to help the pupils develop the necessary skills to apply for jobs in the future and engage in recruitment processes. The programme was run in conjunction with eye4education and was a 4-step process of Application, Aptitude Tests, Group Assessment Tasks and Interviews. A number of OCs fulfilled the role of ‘Business Adviser’ to groups of boys, providing advice and guidance as well as feedback. Although there was a competitive element to the event, the focus was on training the pupils. The instruction provided by the OCs was excellent and they shared the benefit of their experience with sensitivity and encouragement.

In March, our Year 13 students participated in a more rigorous mock recruitment process as part of a progressively challenging ‘Assessment Centre’ programme. In this, we were again fortunate to be supported by a number of OCs who put the students through their paces by conducting 25-minute interviews, developing and challenging the students and providing valuable feedback ahead of academic and vocational interviews at Post-18. 

Our Year 13 Work Experience week in June was also well-supported by a number of OCs who provided work placements in a variety of employment sectors and professions. It was extremely encouraging to visit students on placement and see how much insight and confidence they gained as they developed new skills and understanding in different career sectors. We appreciate how much time and effort goes into accommodating students in the workplace and we are fortunate to have the support of OCs, governors and parents in providing such placements.

Finally, our Careers programme ended with a Year 9 Career Networking event. This was in a ‘speed-dating’ format in which small groups of pupils interviewed Career Ambassadors about their current jobs, career pathways and advice they would give to pupils of their age.  Old Campbellians were well represented within the thirteen Career Ambassadors, and they were kept busy with lots of lively and interesting questions!

If you are in a position to offer assistance to any aspect of our Careers programme, please get in touch by emailing careersccb@gmail.com. Whilst I am shortly departing on career break, I leave the Careers department in capable hands and the following staff would be delighted to hear from you:  Mrs Cathy McReynolds (Head of KS3/KS4 Careers); Mrs Jan Hempstead (Head of Sixth Form Careers); Ms Cath Skipper (College Librarian/Careers Admin).

Sarah Coetzee

Head of Careers