Careers - after St. Lawrence
Classics at Oxford, Geography at Cambridge, Engineering at Imperial College London, Hotel and Catering Management at Surrey, Law at Nottingham, Art and Design at the London Institute and Medicine at Liverpool - just some of the recent Lawrentian Higher Education destinations. Nearly all our Sixth Form pupils progress to Higher Education, but a few elect to go directly into employment,such as with the Police (following in the footsteps of the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, an Old Lawrentian), the armed services and nursery school teaching to name just three from a wide selection. The lists of destinations of recent leavers, and a glance at the Old Lawrentian Business Directory reveal a vast range of career aspirations and achievements. There is no typical Lawrentian, and it is this diversity that underlies the philosophy behind Careers Guidance at St Lawrence.
As the world of work becomes more and more competitive the decisions made throughout a pupil's school life become ever more important. Choices of subjects at GCSE and in the Sixth Form, choices of Higher Education course and Institution afterwards, and even choices of extra curricular activities all require a great deal of careful research and reflection to ensure that paths followed match with strengths, weaknesses, aspirations and potential. The wrong choices can set back progress and career plans, and in some cases rule out otherwise attractive possibilities.
The Careers Department provides information, resources and advice for all pupils, and staff. Formal seminars, lectures and group sessions are underpinned by one-to-one advice tailored to the individual. The Careers Programmes for the Third, Fifth and Sixth Forms guide them through the maze of option choices and entry to Higher Education. The individual approach enables us to achieve a very high success rate for placing pupils at their first choice universities.
The Careers Centre is open every afternoon, with staff available at these times for consultation. The Centre is conveniently located next to North Gate, adjacent to the main Classroom Block, and houses a Library/Resources room and a Seminar/Interview room. Information files and careers software are also made available on the College Computer Network.
The Careers Staff work closely with Housemasters, Housemistresses, Tutors and the Director of Studies to ensure that information provided is up to date and appropriate to the needs of the pupil, whilst remaining a source of impartial and objective advice. We do not make pupils decisions for them, but aim to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and tools to make their own career decisions. Parents are an essential part of the consultation process, and are very welcome to meet with the Careers Staff at any stage.
