Careers Guidance
Mrs Patricia Dunbar, Careers Consultant, is employed by the school. She, together with the Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher, is responsible for careers' guidance throughout the Secondary Department. This begins in Second Year when options are selected. Pupils and parents have the opportunity if they wish, to speak to Mrs Dunbar and other members of staff before the final choice is made. Each pupil in Second Year is also interviewed by the Depute Head Teacher, Mrs Margaret Long.
Advice is available for pupils choosing Highers and Advanced Higher and pupils in Fourth and Fifth year are interviewed by the Head Teacher. This is followed by discussion with Mrs Dunbar as to the qualifications necessary for the different courses offered at Universities and Colleges and for various professional careers.
The School possesses literature on a wide variety of careers and the girls attend careers' exhibitions as organised by the Local Authorities. A careers evening is held at the school in February each year. Visits to Open Days at Universities and Colleges are publicised but we do recommend that the pupils attend the Evening Sessions where possible to minimise the amount of time lost at School.
During study leave, all Senior pupils are encouraged to undertake a week'swork experience with a variety of employers, often Parents whose own children attend Fernhill School. To gain maximum benefit from this scheme we try, as far as possible, to arrange for each pupil to have experience in an area of work in which she has expressed an interest.
Occasionally there are visiting speakers to the school who will address a particular year group on a specific career topic.
Parents and pupils may make an appointment to see Mrs Dunbar, the Head Teacher or Depute Head Teacher, to discuss subject options and choice of career.
