Careers & Higher Education

In addition to providing an excellent education, we want to provide our pupils with the necessary skills to succeed in life after Dunottar. Through a tailored programme of activities, we aim to inform and support out pupils in their choice of post-18 education, support them in the application process and instil them with the confidence they need to fulfil their future ambitions.

All Sixth Form pupils are encouraged to gain work experience, as this supports UCAS personal statements and job applications.

Pupils are also encouraged to participate in Morrisby Profiling, a series of aspirations and aptitude tests, to help them investigate options at 16+ and 18+. Pupils are invited to book a session with our careers advisor, to help pupils consider options available to them and discuss various pathways.

MOOC

Alongside their A-Level subject choices, we recommend sampling at least one free Massive Online Open course (MOOC). These courses either provide a deeper understanding of the careers that students wish to pursue or showcase their interests as individuals. Whichever course they elect to study, they will stand out from the crowd.

Future Skills Day

Our Future Skills Day is designed to prepare pupils for life beyond the classroom in the most practical way possible. Pupils take part in a series of workshops designed to help them to enter the employment market covering professional skills such as CV and cover letter writing and interview practice, alongside more practical skills, such as applying for student loans and cooking skills.

Careers Evenings

A series of careers evenings are held throughout the year where high-profile speakers from a wide range of backgrounds present to our pupils and answer any questions they may have. The interactive workshops cover a range of industries from Digital and STEM, to Business, Sport and Creative Arts, providing pupils with real-life insights into the qualifications required to access jobs in these sectors, as well as providing guidance on work experience opportunities.

Preparation and Support

Year 12

• Attend a Careers and Higher Education Fair
• Visit universities
• Receive specialised support from Mrs Jackson, Director of Sixth Form, with medical, dental, and veterinary school applications
• Receive dedicated support from the Art Department with Art School applications
• Interview practice
• Morrisby Profiling – a series of aspirations and aptitude tests, to help them investigate options at 16+ and 18+
• Attend a programme of visiting speakers
• Centigrade Profiling

UCAS Week

Our Sixth Form pupils take part in a range of activities, designed to prepare them for making their UCAS applications choices. During the summer term of Year 12, pupils participate in an array of activities in UCAS week including:

• Visiting a London University
• Attending presentations and workshops designed to help them choose the right university
• Participating in Personal Statement writing workshops

Year 13

• Support with UCAS application, particularly the personal statement
• Writing of UCAS references
• Mock interviews