In Year 7 students are introduced to the topic of careers and skills in PSHCE; they also start to learn about ‘money skills’ and understand financial concepts.

In Year 8 students are encouraged to develop their skills of time management and introduced to the concept of ‘growth mindsets’ in PSHCE; they are also given an introduction to the economy.

In Year 9 students undertake a PSHCE module on enterprise, introducing them to business basics, and extend their understanding of finance and money; they also start identifying their strengths and interests. At this stage, students and parents are given all the necessary information on making GCSE subject choices at HBS; they are given an account on Unifrog, to help them explore the link between these choices and interests to future careers and have a group session with a Careers Adviser to discuss the impact of GCSE subject decisions on university and career choices. Students in older years offer guidance and support through a Year 12 Subject Fair and ‘vertical links sessions’ with Year 10.

In Year 10 students start thinking about A level subject choices and links with university degree and career choices as well as their own interests and skills in PSHCE; they also continue to explore effective study skills and money management and to explore the Unifrog platform.

In Year 11 students research potential placements, prepare CVs and covering letters, learn about employability skills and appropriate conduct in the workplace in PSHCE lessons in preparation for work experience placements in the summer. Students and parents attend the ‘Introduction to Sixth Form’ evening and are provided with all the relevant information on making suitable A level choices, including sessions for students with an external Careers Adviser. Students attend the Careers Fair and have the option of joining a trip to Cambridge University to learn more about universities and degree courses in general and the Oxbridge application process more specifically. Older students hold a subject fair to provide guidance GCSE subject choices. In PSHCE the students also learn more about financial risk, insurance, tax and student finance.

In Year 12 students attend a range of talks on preparation for vocational courses, courses at competitive universities and apprenticeships; the Higher Education and Medicine and Dentistry Evenings include talks from external speakers on Oxbridge and applying for Medicine respectively. They are provided with all relevant information on the UCAS process, drafting personal statements and choice of courses. Students are encouraged to undertake further work experience, shadowing and university visits and attend the UCAS exhibition at Excel Centre. Older students and alumnae also provide advice and support, and there is an opportunity to meet an external Careers Adviser. The regular ‘Life Skills’ sessions include material on presenting at interview, apprenticeships and talks from speakers in a range of careers.

In Year 13 students are given extensive guidance and support in completing their Personal Statements and UCAS forms (via Unifrog) and there is an opportunity to meet an external Careers Adviser. Students are provided with material and sessions on interviews (including MMI style interviews, pre-admission tests, pre-interview Oxbridge tests, Oxbridge interviews and interviews for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science) and all students who will have a university interview are given mock interviews with an external, subject-specific interviewer. Their regular Lifeskills sessions also provide important pastoral and practical advice about living independently.