Our comprehensive Careers Programme provides a wide range of opportunities for students to encounter the world of work and further/higher education.
Independent School of the Year Awards for Student Careers - Shortlisted!
Queen Anne's School is delighted to have been shortlisted for the Independent School of the Year Awards in the Student Careers category!
The careers programme offers comprehensive, tailored support from Lower Four to Upper Sixth, ensuring students are well-prepared for their futures. Key initiatives include a systematic approach to skill development, from application forms in Upper Five to CV writing and personal statements in Sixth Form. A strong and diverse network of alumnae revisit the school to give advice and workshops.
A notable highlight was the Upper Four World of Work day, featuring decision-making exercises and a speed networking session with industry professionals. During National Careers Week, the school celebrated diverse career paths, including STEM and creative industries. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of students reporting feeling more informed and confident in their career choices.
The careers programme also addresses modern challenges, such as AI’s impact on jobs, labour market trends, and the hidden job market, ensuring students are adaptable and prepared for the evolving job landscape. These efforts exemplify Queen Anne’s commitment to providing exceptional career guidance.
QAS Careers Programme
The programme revolves around the Career Development Framework devised by the Career Development Institute and provides opportunities for students to develop their career management skills from Lower 4 – Upper 6.
Careers education is much more than just matching skills to a job. Students are challenged to reflect and understand their skills, strengths, interests, and motivations and what they want from their career.
Do they want to earn a good salary?
Do they want to make a positive impact on society?
Do they want to travel with their career?
Careers Education for each year group
Starting in L4, students spend time developing and reflecting on their skills, learning what the term ‘career’ means and exploring careers through their ‘Think of a Career’ competition.
4 – U4 have the opportunity to further develop their skills and understand how they fit into the world of work. Students learn about stereotypes in the workplace, are introduced to the concept of Labour Market Information, and understand how their school subjects link to careers.
L5 – U5 focus on raising their awareness of different careers, study options, how Labour Market Information can impact their future choices and how important work experience is to exploring careers.
U5 students take part in a 1:1 Careers Interview with Mrs Odell, Careers Lead where unbiased and impartial information, advice and guidance is given. Guest speakers are invited to join U5 to discuss their career journey and offer an insight in their industry.
L6 – U6 start to bring all their careers knowledge together to help with the next steps decision process. Students take part in a variety of activities and workshops that provide opportunities to engage with employers, create a CV, write a personal statement, and learn about their position in the world of work.
Each student has a Morrisby profile that allows them to record their careers education, set personal goals, develop their skills using the Skills Builder Framework and research careers and qualifications.
Students complete the Aspirations quiz in L4, U4 and U5 to learn and reflect on their interests, how they are developing their skills and how their interests could be changing.
Employer engagement is vital to the success of the careers programme and raising awareness of different careers.
Hearing first-hand the journeys people have been on, the qualification route they chose to follow and the opportunities they have taken help students to understand their options for the future.
We welcome anyone who would like to talk to our students about their career journey and offer advice and lessons they learned along the way.
For more information about the Careers Programme please contact Kelly Odell Careers Lead at Queen Anne’s School.
Apprenticeships are a great way to start your career after school or college!
HOW DO APPRENTICESHIPS WORK?
There are three key participants on an Apprenticeship; the apprentice; the employer and the Apprenticeship Training Provider.
The apprentice – is employed by an organisation and receives training and support from the Training Provider.
The employer – provides a contract of employment (this may be a fixed term contract) and has an agreement in place to support the delivery of the Apprenticeship alongside the Apprenticeship Training Provider. The contract of employment will contain the same rights and responsibilities as any other “non-apprentice” e.g. annual leave entitlements.
The Apprenticeship Training Provider – could be an Independent Training Provider, a Further Education College, an Employer Provider or a University. They provide the apprentice with training and support they need to succeed in their Apprenticeship.
NAME
LEVEL
EQUIVALENT
Intermediate
2
5 GCSE passes at grade A*-C or 9-4
Advanced
3
2 A Level passes / Level 3 Diploma / International Baccalaureate
Higher
4,5,6 & 7
Foundation degree and above
Degree
6 & 7
Bachelor's or master's degree
20% OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING
20% of your time throughout your apprenticeship will be spent with your training provider learning new skills “off-the-job” and working towards your qualification. This could mean you have 1 day a week to do any training either at work or at a training centre, or it could be delivered in “blocks” – this would be decided by the employer and training provider.
Apprenticeships, School Leaver Programmes and Sponsored Degrees.
Lots of information about apprenticeships, how they work, how they can help with future careers etc.
A Government run website providing information on apprenticeships and current vacancies.
Lots of information about degree apprenticeships.
As above, lots of information about apprenticeships.
Information from UCAS about degree apprenticeships.
Explore current apprenticeships vacancies
Study Abroad
Taking your studies abroad will open you up to a whole range of new experiences, allowing you to see the world while furthering your career prospects. Find out everything you'll need to know about student visas, course fees, study exchanges and more. www.prospects.ac.uk.
Good information to help you research your options to study abroad.
Useful information on studying in the USA.
Detailed information on how to study abroad in a large range of countries.
Lots of information on how to choose the right course to study abroad.
If you like the idea of studying abroad but would prefer to learn in English, there are plenty of courses available.
Good information to help you research your options to study abroad.
University
Choosing the right course and university can be a daunting task. The resources below will help you to research your options and make an informed choice.
Independent UK university rankings, course information and expert advice for every student
Use Informed Choices to help you understand which subjects open up different degrees, particularly at Russell Group universities.
Search and apply for UK scholarships, grants and bursaries for university on their extensive database.
The Uni Guide helps students make more informed decisions about their higher education choices.
Everything you need to know about studying at university.
A good website to use to search for degree courses, universities, open days
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to develop your skills, meet new people and have something to add to your CV and university personal statement.
Lots of information and useful advice for how to secure volunteering opportunities
Information from Reading University about local volunteering opportunities
Volunteer for the NHS and the community
Volunteering guide for beginners
Useful information on volunteering for young people
Volunteering abroad
How it works and how you can find the right program
Information about volunteering abroad
Work Experience
Work experience is a great way to learn about a particular career interest, develop your skills, meet new people, network, and learn more about the world of work.
Bite-sized 5-6 hour virtual work experience programs that give students a genuine career advantage with Fortune 500 companies
Paid for work experience. Use the code QAS20 to receive a 10% discount
How to find and secure medical work experience
Internships, work placements, work shadowing, volunteering and part-time work are all explained here
You are very fortunate to have lots of resources and information available to you to help with your careers research.
Use the websites below to help you reflect on your skills, strengths and interests to inform your decisions for the future.
Good for Labour Market Information, career quizzes, career exploration and study options.
Good for links to other research sources sorted by A-Level subject. Job matches by A-Level. Provides Labour Market Information (LMI).
Glassdoor has millions of personalised jobs, salary information, company reviews, and interview questions — all posted anonymously by employees and job seekers
Gap year, sponsored degrees, apprenticeships, and volunteering. Also includes the Buzz quiz and career profile films of hundreds of careers.
Government run website with information on a variety of different careers.
A good source of information about alternatives to university.
Learn more about careers in the Health sector.
University focused – What can I do with my degree?
A good careers test to see what careers can match your personality, skills and interests. Includes hundreds of job profiles and a useful careers quiz.
Learn more about careers in the Creative sector.
A good source of information for all ages to explore A-level choices, work experience, and university choices.
Good detailed LMI – growth sectors, skills shortage, gender differences, pay and employment.