Specialist School

 Mathematics and Physics

Thornhill College Girls' Grammar School
Adveniat Regnum Tuum

"Educating concerned, informed, adaptable members of the world community"

Thornhill College, Culmore Road, Derry

Careers Education

The overall aim of the Careers Education Programme is to develop our students as effective career decision makers in order to prepare for the pivotal decisions which they must make during their years at school and thereafter.

The Careers Department, in close liaison with the Northern Ireland Careers Service (Department of Employment and Learning) works towards:

• Enabling our students to develop the skills necessary to make informed decisions about their education and training and employment options based on self-awareness, understanding of the relevance of their education, skills and experiences and awareness of the available pathways and opportunities (locally, nationally and internationally).

• Providing our students with the opportunities and experiences to develop essential employability and life skills in order to become effective citizens and employees.

• Ensuring that our students have access to good quality career education, information, advice and guidance, tailored to their individual needs, so that they are able to make informed choices.

Work Experience

Year 13 pupils participate in a Work Experience Programme. Where possible, pupils arrange their own placements in line with their chosen career route. They are carefully prepared beforehand and receive a visit from a member of staff during their week's work experience.

At the end of the placement, the employer provides a written report about each participant. The pupils are encouraged to assess their own performance and use it to inform their career choice.

Careers Seminar 2012

Outline of Programmes

• Students are introduced to personal career planning in Year 10 which involves the process of target setting, action planning, researching and reviewing career options.

• This is revisited on an on-going basis along with the provision of  formal Careers Education lessons in Years 13 and 14.
   

• During this time, students participate in seminars, work-related experiences and activities exploring the ever-changing labour market.
   

• Year 13 pupils enjoy the annual Special Career Awareness Day where they benefit from the first-hand experience of a range of guest speakers from diverse career backgrounds.
   

• All pupils in Years 10, 12, 13 and 14 have a careers guidance interview.