Inspiring Futures: Career Building at Northampton School for Girls

Lunchtime Lectures, Personal Guidance and Ambition in Action

At Northampton School for Girls, preparing students for life beyond the classroom is a vital part of our ethos. Our dedicated Careers Team, led by Ms Harle and Mr Parker, works tirelessly to provide personalised support, meaningful opportunities and real-world insight across all year groups.

Career guidance is a continuous and evolving process at NSG. Throughout the academic year, students in Years 11, 12 and 13, as well as any other student seeking support, can access one-to-one careers meetings. These sessions help students to clarify their goals, explore potential pathways and take practical steps towards their future.

One of the standout features of our careers programme is the highly popular Lunchtime Lectures series. Designed to inspire and inform, these sessions welcome professionals from a range of industries to speak directly with students about their career journeys, challenges and insights.

In the week commencing 3 March, students enjoyed a week of lectures celebrating Women in Work and International Women’s Day. Guest speakers included:

Monique Welds, NSG alumna, on apprenticeship routes into the BBC
Niamh Ferrier from Havas Village London, discussing the world of creative media
Caron Bridson, District Judge, offering a look into the judicial system
Rachel Packman, representing Northamptonshire Police
Avril Palmer-Lavery, Executive Chairman of Constellation Group, sharing her experience in the motor industry

March also marked Careers Month at NSG. This was a focused celebration of ambition, opportunity and future planning. Students across all year groups took part in an inspiring range of events and initiatives that helped to broaden their horizons and strengthen their career readiness. Highlights included:

Work Experience Launch Assembly for Year 12 on 5 March
Choices Programme and Evening for Year 9 on 6 March
Women in Construction Event for Year 10 on 7 March
Challenge Sport and Education Motivational Session for Year 11 and selected Year 10 students on 11 March
Take Your Daughter to Work Day for Year 8, held between 17 and 28 March
Worktree Virtual Careers Workout for Year 7 on 25 March
Apprenticeship Assembly for Years 12 and 13 on 28 March
AHEAD visit to Silverstone Park Innovation Centre, which included workshops and a careers panel for Post-16 students on 1 and 2 April

Following the success of the Lunchtime Lectures in March, the series returned in the week commencing 19 May. This time, sessions took place in the Theatre Foyer. Speakers covered a wide range of fields including acting, journalism, veterinary science, cybersecurity and hospitality.

The line-up included:

Monday 19 May: Tiwa Lade – From Classroom to Curtain Call: The Making of an Actress and Writer
Tuesday 20 May: Hilary Scoles – Telling the Story: Studying and Living Journalism
Wednesday 21 May: Paul Pinto – From Curiosity to Cybersecurity: One Ethical Hacker’s Path
Thursday 22 May: Julie Walker – Inside Veterinary Life: Pathways, Challenges and Rewards
Friday 23 May: Gill Kerr – From Passion to Precision: Hospitality at the Heart of Porsche

These sessions not only showcased a variety of career paths but also served to build confidence and ambition. Hearing directly from professionals, many of whom are former NSG students, makes the world of work feel more tangible and accessible.

Through these experiences, NSG continues to place student futures at the heart of school life. Our Careers Team remains committed to supporting every individual to explore their interests, recognise their potential and make informed, confident choices about what comes next.