At NGHS, we offer an exceptional education that’s beyond academic excellence. Our students’ exam results are always superb, they go on to top universities and excel in a wide range of exciting courses. Importantly, our students also go on to achieve excellence in their careers, and we’re delighted to see them succeed and return to school to support the next generation of female leaders too.

We spoke with Miss Laura Robinson, Head of Careers, and Mrs Erin Skelton, Head of Sixth Form, to find out all about the Careers provision here – what they do, how they do it, and why they love supporting NGHS students to go on to achieve truly extraordinary things.

Miss Robinson supports students from Junior School through to Sixth Form. She inspires and guides them towards their future roles. We’re careful to ensure that there are no gender stereotypes here. There is nothing a girl can’t do, no industry she doesn’t belong in and no limits to what she can achieve.

 

 

We are always thrilled to welcome back our alumnae to demonstrate the breadth of professions NGHS students go on to.  From NASA to the NHS, there are many fabulous stories to tell and pearls of wisdom to share.

We asked Miss Robinson what she loves about her role here at NGHS. She told us how much she enjoyed school as a young person, how much she loved learning and helping others. She studied Sport and Exercise Science at University, having played Netball and Hockey at County level. She became a membership advisor for a fitness group after leaving university, but soon wanted to stretch herself in new areas including account management, marketing and finance. Before joining NGHS in 2021, Miss Robinson worked at the University of Nottingham, so she has a broad range of experience in both further education and a range of industries. She loves putting her knowledge to use as a Careers Advisor and is currently studying to become a Gatsby Qualified Careers Advisor through a professional apprenticeship.

Miss Robinson particularly loves supporting students one to one. She enjoys helping young people navigate the ever changing world of possible career paths and seeing their eyes light up when they find something that sparks their interest. She sees their motivation grow as they become determined to achieve excellent grades to get onto their chosen course at university. She also loves to welcome them back to school as alumnae, and is always impressed to see how keenly our former students wish to support the next generation.

Students appreciate her warmth, approachable friendliness and honesty. She can always find a way to solve a problem, whatever the challenges that lie before her, and the students learn so much from her excellent attitude, as well as her knowledge and skills.

And this year we are delighted that our excellent Careers provision has been recognised and shortlisted in the Student Careers Programme category of the Independent School of the Year awards 2022.  A well-deserved placing, and we all have our fingers crossed for September when the finalists are announced.

 

 

Mrs Skelton, the Head of Sixth Form, also enjoys supporting our students onto the next stage of their academic careers. An expert in UCAS applications, references and preparations for specialist areas such as Oxbridge and Medicine, Mrs Skelton puts her heart and soul into getting the students to where they want to go. 

Mrs Skelton knows that an excellent education is about more than great grades. She’s a firm believer in teaching resilience, perseverance and adaptability – qualities that ensure success in all careers and walks of life. She has worked in a range of independent and state schools, but has found real fulfillment at NGHS because of the importance of supporting girls in a world where we do not yet have gender equality.

When we asked both Miss Robinson and Mrs Skelton about their visions for the future, we enjoyed hearing about their aims. Miss Robinson has made great progress in supporting local schools alongside our NGHS students by sharing her expertise with the wider community. She has begun to open up our careers events and opportunities to other schools; something that helps us to make a positive difference in the world on a wider scale. Mrs Skelton’s vision is to foster a deep love of learning that extends beyond the exam years. An avid reader and someone with a true love of History, Politics and Humanities, Mrs Skelton knows that if you love learning you will never stop growing and never stop loving life. It’s her hope that the students under her care gain fulfillment throughout their whole lives, not just during their time at NGHS.