Young people today are living in a rapidly changing world and so preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities out there is a vital aspect of their education. Thornden School is committed to developing and arming each individual student with the most up to date research and knowledge as they progress through the different key stages.

A key element to aiding a students development is instilling the valuable ideals of responsibility and independence to forge their own paths forward. Working in partnership with parents, the Careers Department guides and supports students in an enthusiastic and professional relationship throughout their time at Thornden School.

How can you help?

• Talk about careers regularly at home – the different jobs you may have had, how you decided on your current career path and what you have learned from all of your combined experiences.

• Share your CV and help them in producing their own. Going through the motions of detailing their skills, experiences and qualifications on paper can really help students to see their current development clearly.

• Run through typical interview questions and talk about your own encounters – both good and bad! Learning how to present themselves professionally and keeping a cool head in an interview situation is a valuable skill which will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

• Attend college/apprenticeship/university open days to explore what different establishments have to offer. Prospectuses are always available but there’s nothing quite like walking around a campus to really get the feel of a place.

• Get directly involved yourself! If you are, or work for, an employer who would be willing to support our careers education, please get in touch.  You might consider offering a student a work experience placement, mentoring a student or presenting an assembly about your chosen field of expertise.  

• Give us feedback. We are always looking to develop and evolve our careers education provision so please do get in contact if you have any comments or suggestions. 

The support of our local community is key to the Careers Education that Thornden School is able to provide. We are so lucky to have the backing of so many willing and enthusiastic employers, keen to get involved with our school calendar of activities every year. Sharing career experiences and providing opportunities to develop employability skills is invaluable to a young person’s progression and we cannot thank our existing partners enough.

Do you work in a business that could help provide work experience or opportunities for our students?

We are always looking for local businesses that are wanting to inspire and educate our students about the world of work and expand and develop our careers programme. If you think you could help us with talks/presentations to students, provide invaluable work experience or any other opportunities that give students the chance to develop core skills and motivation, please contact our Work Related Learning Co-ordinator, Miss K Quinn at k.quinn@thornden.hants.sch.uk 

We are using Compass as a tool to demonstrate that we are successfully meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks which is how schools measure their CEIAG (careers education, information, advice and guidance) provision.

The benchmarks:

1. A stable careers programme ​

2. Learning from careers and labour market information ​

3. Addressing the needs of each student.

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers.

5. Encounters with employers and employees.

6. Experiences of workplaces.

7. Encounters with further and higher education.

8. Personal guidance.

Thornden School is keen to develop meaningful relationships with education providers, employers and businesses to ensure our students gain the qualities, skills and qualifications required to fulfil their ambition and aspirations.

As staff, your role is to continue to provide dynamic and inspirational opportunities to bring careers learning to life both inside and outside of the classroom.  It is also to promote careers activities and events to your tutees and students when they are publicised.

See the remaining pages on this website for information and links that can help staff support careers education within their curriculum areas.