King’s L6^th Form pupils and parents alike benefitted from the Lower Sixth Careers Convention and Higher Education Briefing on Friday evening.

The event was started with some wise words from two excellent keynote speakers, Joe Docherty and Sam Hayward. Joe, a trainee barrister with the University of Law, offered the pupils advice on how to think through their personal characteristics and therefore identify what career would suit, with a challenge to keep trying things and explore options. Sam, Managing Director of Virginia Hayward Hampers, shared his experience as a recruiter of staff, giving the pupils much food for thought on how they could best present themselves to potential employers.  

After such words of wider advice, pupils then partook in seminars delivered by a professionals from a range of industries, from sport marketing and physiotherapy, to banking and finance, aviation and hospitality. Delegates shared their career paths, as well as offering guidance on how to progress in the career field. Pupils gained huge amounts, both direction in their own decision making and a clear idea of what various careers entailed, some were even fortunate enough to be offered potential work experience opportunities!

Whilst the pupils benefited from this careers guidance, the parents remained in the Fitzjames Theatre, where they had a talk from Head of Sixth Form, Will Daws, on the next steps in the L6^th Form pupils careers and university exploration and applications. Information was given on UK and overseas university opportunities, apprenticeships, gap years and more, with opportunities for questions and discussion.

BTEC Hospitality pupils put their recent cocktail masterclass knowledge to good use, and were in attendance at the Careers Convention to make and serve drinks to parents during the evening. These included their new bespoke cocktail ‘Floreat Brutonia’, a special drink to celebrate our very special 500^th anniversary.

The Careers Convention was a useful and enjoyable evening. The School is hugely appreciative for the delegates who gave their time to support pupils in exploring their future ambitions.

Will Daws - Head of Sixth Form