Careers

Careers and Higher Education preparation are taken very seriously at Cranleigh. They are the primary objectives of obtaining a good education, and everything that happens here aims to enhance pupils’ prospects later in life. From the time when pupils enter the School there is a defined programme of events which, stage by stage, introduces relevant issues as pupils progress up the School.
 
In the Fourth Form the primary objectives are familiarity with the Careers Staff and Careers Room facilities, and a sense that these are available to any pupil at any stage of their school journey. The facilities include a dedicated Careers intranet site offering pupils a range of electronic resources that they can access from any school computer.  Specific careers awareness is introduced as pupils move up the School, with visits by Armed Service Liaison Officers, compulsory work experience in the Upper Fifth year and compulsory talks in the Upper Fifth and Lower Sixth years, enabling pupils to take an in-depth look at potential areas of interest.
 
The GCSE year is particularly important in other ways too. In the Michaelmas Term the majority of families choose to join the ISCO Futurewise Scheme, which is a national organisation and network supporting pupils aged 16-23. Morrisby psychometric tests followed by an in-depth interview are part of the scheme. Each pupil in the year also receives individual counselling in AS subject choice and careers awareness, and attends the extremely informative annual Careers Forum, comprised of a variety of leading experts within their individual fields (please click here for the full list of speakers for the 2010/11 academic year). Also integral to this process is the compulsory Work Experience Week, which takes place during the Summer term’s post-GCSE period.
 
In the Sixth Form, attention shifts to specific Careers Experience Courses, and families are kept informed of all pertinent opportunities via specific correspondence. The Senior Tutor then plays the key role in conducting university applications, which are enhanced by the support of individual Tutors. Mid-way through the Sixth Form, gap year opportunities are also specifically addressed, with speakers and heightened awareness of particular schemes.
 
Finally, even post-A Level, the School’s facilities and the expertise of staff remain available to support Cranleighans in their onward journey.