Beyond Sheffield Girls’
Our students receive specialised career support as they begin their Sixth Form journey. We equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to explore all Post-18 options, such as universities, apprenticeships and the world of work.
The Sheffield Girls’ Difference
A large proportion of our students move on to top universities and enrol on competitive degree courses. Recently we have seen an increasing number of our A Level leavers embark on degree apprenticeships and professional apprenticeships, gaining places on some of the most competitive programmes in the UK.
The amazing destinations of our school leavers reflects their incredible focus and dedication to both their studies and their co-curricular pursuits during their time at school and the unrivalled one-to-one careers support they receive in Year 12 and Year 13
The GDST difference
GDST Networking
Our Sixth Form students can access students and alumnae from across our family of 26 GDST schools to gain valuable career tips, information and placement opportunities. Our alumnae network numbers over 100,000 professional women across the globe and we work with our pupils to help to put them in touch with future mentors who can offer guidance and advice based on their own experiences.
Career pathway webinars
The GDST hosts webinars throughout the year which our pupils can participate in ahead of making their UCAS or other Post 18 choices.
Unique Opportunities
The GDST offers bespoke opportunities such as virtual live events, work experience and competitions from a wide range of subjects and careers, shared weekly online with students and parents.
A personalised approach from our careers expert
We get to know our students as individuals and understand they will not all want to take the same pathways. Our Head of Careers, Mrs Metcalfe-Murgatroyd was previously a Head of Sixth Form, and Senior Leader. She has over a decade of experience leading careers support. Our Careers programme and advice is unbiased and continually evolving to ensure our pupils and parents are kept up to date with the ever changing landscape of opportunities.
Careers in the Curriculum
We embed career education into our Sixth Form curriculum through PSHE, character education, and individual subject areas.
Tutorial Programme
We offer a weekly programme of sessions to complement students’ academic studies which focus on study skills, critical thinking, career education, and financial literacy. With extensive support around Post-18 options and application support for all pathways, this programme helps prepare students to take the next step in their education as confident, well-informed individuals.
Personal Development Record
Students have an electronic log to track their academic progress, involvement in super-curricular and extra-curricular activity, their positions of responsibility and to record future career plans.
Subject Lessons
Career opportunities within subject areas include the Sheffield Young Artists Exhibition, NASA Space Competition in Computing, Extended Project Qualification and the Gold Industrial Cadets programme in Science. Visit our subject pages to learn about opportunities in each area.
Employability
We recognise the importance of preparing our students for the future world of work by equipping them with knowledge and skills to help them differentiate themselves.
Forging Futures Enrichment
Through our unique Forging Futures Sixth Form programme, our students can sign up for extensive enrichment and leadership opportunities to complement and enhance their academic curriculum and develop more employability skills. These opportunities include peer mentoring, Young Enterprise and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme.
Work Experience
Sixth Form students are encouraged to complete work experience placements to explore careers of their choice, further developing and evidencing their employability skills.
Mock Interviews
Sixth Form students learn what to expect from different types of interviews including 1:1, group and virtual. They also have the opportunity to participate in mock interviews with an expert in the field.
Annual Careers Fair
We host an evening event featuring hundreds of Higher Education, Apprenticeship providers and employers to help explore and inform their future careers.
Options and Pathways
We ensure our students are fully informed of all options and pathways and have access to impartial guidance.
Morrisby Online Careers
Our Sixth Form students gain life-long access to Morrisby Careers which helps align their skills and interests with potential career matches and allows them to explore the latest local market information. At Key Stage 5 our students can research their Post-18 options using Morrisby Higher.
1:1 Careers Interview
All Year 12 students receive a tailored, focussed 1:1 careers meeting with the Head of Careers.
Post-18 Options Choices Support
Our students and parents are given comprehensive 1:1 support when choosing Post-18 options, including exposure to all possible pathways, a Post-18 conference day, a Personal Statement writing workshop, a Post-18 evening for parents covering student finance, an Oxbridge and Aspirations Evening, an Apprenticeship Evening, admissions test support and bespoke A Level Results Day support.
Live Lunches
Each term, we host an interactive conversation between the Head of Careers and a successful alumnae, where students from all year groups can ask questions, gain insights and network. Past students share their educational and career journey to date, offering top tips for successful careers.
Weekly Career Couch
A weekly lunchtime drop-in for all students from Year 7-Year 13 to ask questions and seek help for all things career-related.
Annual Careers Evening
Each year, the focus of this event will change to keep up to date with the ever-changing landscape of careers, and will feature a keynote speaker.
2025 Leavers
By the end of Sixth Form, our students take full ownership of their future. They are able to reflect critically on their achievements, set purposeful goals, and make confident, informed choices about life beyond school. They understand the influences shaping their decisions, they are proactive in managing their applications and career plans, and have developed key employability and leadership skills. With real-world experience and growing independence, they are equipped to manage personal finances and navigate the risks and rewards of their next steps.
Perhaps most importantly, they also have the confidence and appreciation that very few careers head in a straight line, and that resilience and flexibility are essential characteristics as they tackle the opportunities and challenges ahead.
