Careers Guidance

Mrs Patricia Dunbar, Careers Consultant, is employed by the School. She, along with the Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher, isresponsible for careers guidance throughout the Secondary Department. This begins in Second Year when subject 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 choices are made. Each pupil in Second Year is also interviewed by the Depute Head Teacher, Mrs Roarty.

Advice is available for pupils choosing Highers and Advanced Highers and pupils in Fourth and Fifth year are interviewed by the Head Teacher. This is followed by a discussion with Mrs Dunbar regarding the qualifications required for entry to 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 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’s work experience with a variety of employers. Often, parents whose own children attend Fernhill School can provide work experience opportunities. 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 speakers who visit the School and 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 career choices.