For the interested, enthusiastic audience of Year 12 and 13, on the cusp of venturing into the wider world, something these excellent speakers say might just trigger a new thought-process. Who knows where it might lead? Last year’s alumnae and other speakers introduced an eclectic range of subjects including working in the theatre, being a flying instructor or a lady plumber, as well as becoming a lawyer or working on world health education programmes.  This year’s programme started with a bang with a panel of recent leavers sharing their tips about the university admissions process, to gap or not to gap, and the reality of university life. Straight from the horses’ mouths! Thanks to   Cori Low  (Year of ’09) Geography, Exeter (Cornwall campus);  Layla Mannings (Year of ‘07) Psychology, Nottingham;  Camilla Read (Year of ’06) Classics, Cambridge;  Katharine Kenny  (Year of ’07)Physics, Oxford;  Yosra Albeyatti  (Year of ’08) Medicine, King’s College, London;  Phoebe Newman  (Year of ’09) Art, Camberwell College of Art and Louise Gammon  (Year of ’08) History, LSE.

Sixth-formers will be able to find out about careers in risk, insurance and financial planning from a speaker from Discover Risk; those keen to hear about opportunities to design, develop, manufacture, and market telecommunications will enjoy listening to a speaker from MetaSwitch, a private UK-based company; it’s also offering an internship.

Sometimes the career routes are unconventional and unpredictable and we look forward to hearing how Julia Lalla-Maharajh (Year of ’88) swerved away from working in public affairs, lobbying, media relations and PR to find herself volunteering overseas in Cambodia and Ethiopia and spearheading a campaign to promote women’s rights. On a return visit to the UK, ex member of staff, Maria Anne Moore,  will tell the sixth form about the latest developments at Mundo Feliz, her children’s project in Peru, where some of our current and past pupils have worked. Rosie Palliser has agreed to talk about Operation Raleigh. Jess Wilson (Year of ’96) will address careers in medicine, and Salima Hyde (nee Virji, Year of 2000), now based at Oxford University, will talk on a career in Development. Other speakers are yet to be confirmed.

Time in the sixth form is well spent in preparing to make that leap of faith into tertiary education and Head of Sixth Form Vikki Askew has arranged for practical sessions this year on Financial Education, study skills, finding the right course in further education, making UCAS applications and writing UCAS personal statements. Issues of personal safety, relationships and drugs and alcohol will also be sensitively discussed with outside speakers.

JAGS sixth formers play a huge part in contributing to our energetic Community Action programme. Read more about our extensive range of Community Action projects at: JAGS in the Community

JAGS girls are quick to explore new opportunities to discover the world and to gain a sense of perspective on their own lives. We are always delighted to hear from alumnae and other supporters of JAGS who would be willing to share their experiences and expertise. Please contact the Alumnae Co-ordinator cindy.rutherford@jags.org.uk or Head of Sixth Form vikki.askew@jags.org.uk.