Careers

The world has changed greatly in the last 20 years with many people working in jobs today that simply didn’t exist when their parents left education. That’s why students today need careers advice that will enable them to be ready for the opportunities and challenges of working life.

Our Careers and Education Guidance Policy and Provider Access Policy can both be downloaded from our Teaching and Learning page. Our Careers Leader is Clare Boyd who can be contacted at c.boyd@harrisorpington.org.uk or on 01689 819 219. Our Careers Adviser is Melanie Jackson who can be contacted at melanie.jackson@harrisfederation.org.uk.

A varied careers section is available within the school library. All students have the opportunity to visit the library and access the books.
An academy-wide PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) programme is delivered to all students. This covers career choices and pathways, financial guidance (salaries and income), employment rights and careers for the future.
Year 10 students take part in group career meetings before their one-to-one meetings in Year 11. Students are instructed to start considering their next steps in preparation for their GCSE exam year.
Year 11 students have one-to-one meetings with senior leaders, who support and guide their progression into Key Stage 5.
A Level taster sessions are available in all subjects to Year 11 students.
The Harris Careers Education page can be accessed here.
All students attend a careers fair held in the school, this year it will be in the form of a Virtual Careers Fair.
All Years 11, 12 and 13 students attend an external careers fair.
Year 12 students have one to one meetings with senior staff to support and guide their future decisions

Careers Programme

Please see the link to the Careers Programme for 2021: Careers Programme - 2021

National Careers Week

Please see the links here to:

The Careers Directory

The Parents' Guide to Careers for National Careers Week

Useful websites

The following websites can help you to look at the different careers that are available.

The National Careers Service website has over 700 careers profiles providing information on the skills and qualifications required.
Careers Box is a free online library of careers related films. Case studies show real people doing real jobs.
Start is a free online careers platform to connect 11-18 year old with their future career potential.
Prospects gives detailed job information and links to advice on writing CVs and cover letters.
icould offers first hand information about careers, including videos, as well as labour market information.
LMI for All is an online data portal, which connects and standardises labour market information (LMI) with the aim of informing careers decisions.
Careerpilot is an expert careers information site with tools for 11-19 year olds, all in one place.

Other careers services

Year 11 academic and personal references are completed by faculty directors.
Details of student destinations after leaving Harris Academy Orpington are kept on file. Interviews and support is made available for those without confirmed progression routes. This support continues until students have a confirmed progression route post results.
Support with GCSE and Post 16 options processes.
Orpington Experience visits to universities.
Visiting speakers are arranged through the Orpington Experience programme.
Next Steps meetings for Years 11 and 13 are being held online.

The academy will review the contents of this page in September 2021.