Careers and Higher Education

Careers Education at Felsted begins in Felsted Prep where we are committed to providing a forward-thinking curriculum that prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.  We ensure that our students are prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens.

Careers education is an important aspect of our provision, and from Reception to Sixth Form pupils experience careers education and entrepreneurial opportunities. We actively collaborate with local organisations, businesses, and community leaders to connect our curriculum to real-world experiences. Through project-based learning, and service-learning opportunities, our students apply their learning to meaningful local contexts.
 

From Year 7, pupils experience specific Leadership lessons where they have the opportunity to develop skills of critical thinking and problem solving. Collaborative learning opportunities centre around teams working together in Leagues to achieve common goals. The pupils' creativity and innovative thinking lead to outstanding results; whether running a pupil-led whole school assembly or a sustainable fashion show of recycled clothes, we believe our pupils can take ownership of their success. The pupils from Year 7 have specific careers lessons which help to build future forward skills, awareness and ambition. 

By integrating Leadership into our curriculum, we are empowering our students to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the future workplace.

We are able to support any pupil wishing to apply to leading universities, including Oxbridge. Whilst the entry process does not get any easier, we have had good success with pupils gaining interviews and places over the past few years. Those pupils wishing to apply should make themselves known as soon as possible to the Professional Guidance Department as there are strict deadlines for applications and testing. They should also apply to the Andrew Society, an academic society which helps pupils to expand their knowledge, critical thinking and debating skills, very useful for competitive applications.

Recognising the increasingly diverse outlook of all Felstedians and the fact that we have a number of  international students in the Sixth Form, we have developed a programme to support international applications. Students are able to consider options as far afield as Australia and New Zealand, Canada, USA and closer to home in places such as the Netherlands, France and Italy. Staff have expertise in applications to all these areas and enlist expert support and visits from worldwide university outreach teams as well as experts in the field. 

Applying to American Universities - Guide for Parents

Increasingly popular as a post school option, degree apprenticeships offer students the opportunity to ‘earn and learn’.  More and more apprenticeships are becoming available each year, with Felsted leading the way in terms of advice in this area. We have had a number of top students choose this route having been successful in their application, for which we are able to offer much support with both the online testing and interview techniques. Please note that the interview process for this route can be time consuming during the final year of study, including time taken to attend interviews, so we recommend time is managed carefully so grades are not affected.   

We are able to support pupils who prefer to step directly in the world of work and several do choose this option. We are able to guide students in their areas of interest, provide them with contacts through our Felsted Network and support them with their applications.

Email: lms@felsted.org / Tel: 01371 822668

Responsibility for the overview and management of all aspects of Careers and Higher Education, including UCAS, Overseas Applications, Apprenticeships and Jobs. Ms Scofield provides support and guidance to all students from Yrs 9-13, and can advise students about any aspect of their future.

Assistant Director of Professional Guidance: Mrs Nicola Sunshine-Harris
Email: nmsh@felsted.org

Mrs Sunshine-Harris is available to offer impartial careers advice and guidance to all students in Yrs 9-13. This can include help with options decisions and with career and university decisions. She also supports Ms Scofield with the UCAS applications process. Mrs Sunshine-Harris works Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

Director of Exams and STEAM Pathways: Miss Alexandra Simpson
Email: alfs@felsted.org

In addition to her role as Director of Lower Sixth and Exams, Miss Simpson is available to advise and support students making applications to Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry courses, including preparation for entrance examinations and interviews.

Higher Education & Careers Administrative Assistant: Mrs Helen Reid
Email: careersadmin@felsted.org