We want to help pupils develop the confidence, curiosity and independence to succeed in the next stages of their lives, therefore we place a lot of emphasis on providing career support for Freemen’s pupils.
Freemen’s offers an extensive career’s programme, the Freemen’s Future Pathways, which is underpinned by the Career Development Institute Framework and the Gatsby Benchmarks. Careers is incorporated into the PSHE lessons and pupils have access to extensive resources in the Careers Area, as well as to careers staff who provide advice to year groups, small groups and individuals.
There are numerous events throughout the year including:
- Drop Down Enterprise Days for pupils in Years 7, 9, and 10
- The Future Pathways Fair
- The Sixth Taster Day for Year 10, where pupils get to experience 'A Day in the Life of a Sixth Former'
- Year group assemblies and lunchtime talks from visiting speakers in specific career areas for pupils in Year 8 to Year 13
- 1:1 interviews with all pupils in Year 11, before making their A Level choices
Year 7
- Who Am I?
- Exploring careers
- Work life balance
- Drop Down Enterprise Day
Year 8
- Enterprise challenge
- What are My interests?
- Future Careers – aspirational goals
- Exploring careers
- Time management
Year 9
- Transferable skills, abilities and interests
- Different types of employment and career pathways
- Decision making for GCSE choices
- Unifrog online tests
- Drop Down Enterprise Day
Lower 5 (Year 10) - Main Themes
- Employability skills
- Exploring employer profiles
- Wellbeing in the workplace
- Looking at different types of career
- National Careers Challenge Drop Down Day
- Sixth Form taster day in June
Upper 5 (Year 11) - Main Themes
- Advice is given to pupils in Year 11 on how to choose the right A Levels for them
- Interview skills including mock interviews
- CV writing skills
- 1:1 interview to discuss future plans
- Work experience guidance
- Future Pathways Fair
In the Lower 6, students are guided through the process of choosing an appropriate pathway post A Level and completing higher education, apprenticeship or job applications. There is targeted help for students aspiring to Oxford or Cambridge and for future medics, dentists and vets, as well as those looking to study abroad or start an apprenticeship. Building on the foundations started in Y11, students should start to implement concrete plans to increase their employability.
Year 12
Autumn Term
- Unifrog tests
- Examine subject and careers options
- Future Pathways Fair
Spring Term
- Launch of new application cycle for Higher Education
- Use of Unifrog website to refine options for post A Level courses
- Talk from the admissions department of a prestigious university
- Talk on degree apprenticeship opportunities
Summer Term
- UCAS day including seminar from a prestigious university on making a competitive application
- Students are able to attend Open Days, taster courses, and masterclasses
- Setting career goals
- Students are encouraged to complete work experience
- Talk from Alumni that are at Oxford or Cambridge for those interested in making an Oxbridge application
- Interview techniques and practice
Year 13
Autumn Term
- Tutorial support given for the completion of applications
- Oxbridge mock interviews, with Staff, Alumni, and Teachers from other schools
- Pre-Admissions tests and work submission for Oxbridge applicants
- Speed interviewing evening for those applying to Oxbridge
- Future Pathways Fair
- MMI interviews for those applying for Medicine
- Networking
Spring and Summer Term
- Personal branding
- Talks from Old Frees about coping with Life Beyond School
- Talks on student finance
- Talks on clearing and UCAS extra
August
- A Level results with Staff on Hand to give comprehensive support for those needing advice and help through clearing and adjustment
Discover exciting opportunities and insights for your future—click below to read our half-termly edition, where you will find information on recent events, important dates for your diary, and useful links to valuable opportunities and resources on the final pages.
The Future Pathways Fair
Every Autumn the City of London Freemen’s School runs a Future Pathways Fair, giving pupils from Freemen's, local schools and our partner schools, the opportunity to discuss their future with employers and university staff.
The fair provides pupils and parents with a chance to talk to professionals from a wide range of companies, representatives from educational establishments and gap year providers about their future educational and career paths. We normally secure 50+ exhibitors including many Russell Group Universities and companies such as Atkins, BP, KBR, NHS, PwC, RAF and Surrey Police.
The Future Pathways Fair is a ‘market-place’ format, where pupils and parents approach stalls and stands for advice and information.
