Careers
At Camden School for Girls, we believe every student should have the confidence, knowledge and skills to shape their own future.
Careers education is an integral part of school life at CSG. Alongside academic learning, students develop the skills, experiences and aspirations they need to thrive in a changing world. Through employer encounters, workplace experiences, careers guidance and access to a wide range of resources, we encourage every student to think ambitiously about what they can achieve.
Our progressive careers programme supports students from Year 7 through to Year 13, helping them discover their strengths, explore a wide range of opportunities and make informed decisions about their next steps. The programme follows the framework of the Careers Development Institute and is informed by the Gatsby Benchmarks. It builds year on year, helping students develop their understanding of themselves, the world of work and the many pathways available to them.
Our aim is simple: to empower every student to explore their potential and create opportunities for their future.
Discover your strengths: Years 7, 8 and 9
In Key Stage 3, students begin to explore what a career means and how their individual strengths, interests and skills can shape their future. Through PSHE lessons, tutor time, assemblies and workplace activities, students:
- Identify their personal strengths, skills and aspirations.
- Explore different careers and the changing world of work.
- Develop an understanding of Labour Market Information (LMI).
- Discover how subjects and qualifications connect to future careers.
- Begin to consider GCSE options and future pathways.
- Use careers resources, including Unifrog, to explore possibilities.
Students also take part in employer encounters, workplace activities and visits that bring careers learning to life.
Explore your options: Year 9
Year 9 is an important time for students to reflect on their interests and begin making informed decisions about their GCSE options. Our careers programme supports students to connect their values, skills and ambitions with future opportunities. Students explore:
- How GCSE choices can influence future pathways.
- The qualifications and skills needed for different careers.
- Further education, university and apprenticeship routes.
- Transferable skills and personal strengths.
- Career stereotypes and how to challenge assumptions.
- The relationship between careers, lifestyle and work-life balance.
Students benefit from individual careers and GCSE options interviews, group guidance and opportunities to engage with employers and education providers.
Prepare for the world of work: Year 10
In Year 10, students begin to develop the practical skills and experience needed to take their next steps with confidence. Our programme introduces students to the realities of the workplace and helps them understand what employers look for.
Students have opportunities to:
- Complete a five-day work experience placement.
- Develop CV and cover letter writing skills.
- Practise interview techniques and workplace communication.
- Explore A-level and vocational qualifications.
- Understand workplace behaviour and expectations.
- Identify their employability skills and set future goals.
Work experience is a valuable opportunity for students to discover new interests, develop independence and gain insight into the world of work.
Make informed decisions: Year 11
As students prepare for the transition beyond Year 11, we provide tailored support to help them make confident and informed choices. Students explore a range of post-16 pathways, including our own Sixth Form, further education colleges and apprenticeships.
Our programme includes:
- A Post-16 Conference introducing different educational and career pathways.
- Individual careers guidance interviews with a qualified careers adviser.
- Support with college and Sixth Form applications.
- Advice on entry requirements, deadlines and next steps.
- Guidance on contingency planning and setting personal targets.
Every Year 11 student receives an individual careers guidance interview, resulting in an action plan to support their next steps.
Sixth Form: Higher Education and University Preparation
At Camden School for Girls, our careers programme continues throughout the Sixth Form, providing students with the knowledge, guidance and support to make informed decisions about their future.
We recognise that applying to university and preparing for higher education is an important journey. Our programme combines individual guidance, academic enrichment, specialist preparation and opportunities to explore future pathways in depth.
From the launch of Unifrog in Year 12 to support with university offers in Year 13, students are encouraged to explore their interests, develop their academic ambitions and prepare confidently for life beyond CSG.
Exploring Higher Education: Year 12
Year 12 is an opportunity for students to explore higher education, discover new academic interests and begin preparing for their university application.
All students receive dedicated 1-1 UCAS and higher education advice from our expert and experienced UCAS advisor. We also provide additional support for students who may benefit from tailored guidance, including support from our SENDCo and our Connections advisor.
Our aim is to ensure that every student feels supported, informed and confident in making decisions about their future.
Careers resources and guidance
Students are encouraged to take an active role in their own career development.
We provide access to a range of careers resources to help students research opportunities, understand qualifications and explore possible pathways.
Unifrog
Unifrog is an online careers platform that helps students explore careers, qualifications and future opportunities. Students use Unifrog throughout their time at CSG to develop their personal portfolios, research pathways and reflect on their skills and aspirations.
The HUB
The HUB is a GoogleClassroom which every student in the sixth form is signed up to. The HUB is updated on a daily basis with work experience opportunities,career insight days, apprenticeship opportunities and higher education summer schools, taster days and open days.
Labour Market Information (LMI)
Students develop their understanding of Labour Market Information, helping them explore employment trends, career opportunities and the changing world of work.
Personal careers guidance
Individual guidance interviews and drop-in sessions provide students with opportunities to discuss their interests, explore options and develop action plans for their future.
Working in partnership with families
We believe that strong partnerships between students, families and the school are essential to successful careers education.
Parents and carers are invited to engage with our careers programme through information briefings, coffee mornings, parents' evenings and guidance on key transition points.
These opportunities help families understand the choices available to students and support them in making informed decisions about their future.
Our careers vision
At Camden School for Girls, we want every student to leave us with the confidence, knowledge and skills to navigate their future.
Our careers programme encourages students to:
- Grow throughout life.
- Explore possibilities.
- Manage their career.
- Create opportunities.
- Balance life and work.
- See the big picture.
We want our students to leave CSG ready to embrace opportunities, challenge expectations and make a positive contribution to the world around them.
Explore careers at CSG
- Our Careers Programme – Discover how careers education develops from Year 7 to Year 11.
- Work Experience – Find out about workplace learning and our Year 10 work experience programme.
- Post-16 Pathways – Explore Sixth Form, further education and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Sixth Form and Higher Education Programme – Learn about the advice and support available to students.
- Careers Resources – Explore Unifrog and other tools to help you plan your future.
Main School Careers Lead: Ms Toman (dtoman@csg.school)
Sixth Form Careers Lead: Ms Ellis (lellis@csg.school)
Careers and Work Experience Policy