At Thornden School, we aim to inspire all our students to make the best transition into the right choice for their next steps, whether that is employment, further or higher education, and to support students in the development of the skills needed to manage a fulfilling career in a changing world.  Raising aspiration, encouraging achievement and creating awareness are the main goals of our careers provision.

Year 8

Year 8 students receive an introduction to the world of work and careers, via KUDOS. This careers software allows students to investigate different employability options that they find interesting, in addition to analysing their own strengths, abilities and interests, and how these complement certain career options.

Year 9

In Year 9, students revisit the careers software for a more focussed examination of preferred career interests, linking to the qualification and work experience criteria needed to be successful in those areas.

Thornden School invites employees and employers from a vast range of careers in to give small presentations to students on career opportunities. These are open to all students, but attended by those interested in these areas. Students are consulted in the areas that they would like talks on, and leave presentations with specific advice on achieving work experience and necessary qualifications in that areas.

All of Year 9 are introduced to apprenticeships with a presentation from Eastleigh College on what is means to undertaken an apprenticeship, the pay and qualifications and the different career possibilities.

Year 10

A major focus for Year 10 students is their application for Work Experience (completed in September of Year 11). Our school programme offers support in finding an appropriate placement, with advice and guidance on how to apply, and get through a potential interview process. Thornden offer extra support to those who struggle to find their own placement opportunities.

In preparation for future college applications, the tutor helps and supports the students with their draft personal statements.

In July, students participate in a school Enterprise Day where Thornden runs activities and competitions to allow them to understand how a large multinational organisation works, how the various departmental functions contribute to the success of the business and about the range of careers opportunities offered in the world of enterprise.

Students receive regular information about college events and open days. Thornden offers tailored trips for students considering attending Eastleigh College and Sparsholt College.

We continue to offer students access to presentations from a variety of job roles. Students are encouraged to explore these areas after the careers talk with tailored suggestions of work shadowing visits (organised through parents, family and friends), and/or through volunteering with local charities after school or at weekends.

Year 11

During the autumn term in Year 11, every student has a careers guidance interview with an external careers adviser from Solent EBP, where they can discuss their ideas for the future. Students receive a personalised action plan by email soon afterwards, which summarises the key points of the interview and signposts them towards relevant websites and other sources of information. Parents can attend if wished.

Thornden supports all pupils with their application to their chosen college or training centre, advice given on application form completion and coping strategies for potential interviews. Interviews for Peter Symonds take place at Thornden in the spring term.

For those students strongly considering undertaking an apprenticeship we run a support session on how to apply, and what to expect in the application process.

When available, we also arrange small groups of students to visit our local Higher Education Fair, these provide an excellent opportunity for prospective students to meet university representatives, discuss issues about higher education. Alternatively, we offer this in school by inviting former pupils to come and discuss their experiences of university. Thornden also invites former students attending Oxbridge.

November 2020 (to be reviewed July 2021)

Life beyond Thornden

Please see the table below, which shows a summary of the last few years of careers destinations for students in Year 11.  Students in the other category may have relocated to other countries or decided under data protection rights not to submit their data.  As you will note the vast majority of our students move on to either Sixth Form Colleges or Further Education Colleges and there has been a similar pattern for a number of years.

This table represents the same information but in percentage form.

Again, the same information split into gender.

This table summarises the type of course followed after leaving Thornden for students at the end of 2020, according to the information provided by Hampshire Local Authority.

The table below represents the similar data for all students in Hampshire for comparison with Thornden.

(NB RPA means Raising Participation Age – students staying in education after the age of 16)

Where are they now? (or you!)

We are always very keen to hear how our former students are getting on, either in their education, sporting or musical successes, or in the future lives.  If you are happy to share and pass on this information, we would be delighted to receive it.  If you are happy and available to share your pathway and successes with our current students, this will also be greatly received.  Please contact the school with this information.