At Sidcot, we recognise that student success is long-term, holistic, and global, and that modern career pathways are rarely linear. That is why our Futures Programme focuses on expanding horizons and preparing students for a world of possibilities. This journey begins in the Junior School, with a focus on inspiration, sparking curiosity and introducing a multitude of possible pathways. As students progress into the Senior School, we focus on refining that spark. Through activities such as work experience and expert subject guidance, students begin to identify a clearer professional pathway that aligns with their strengths and ambitions. This culminates in the Sixth Form, where the focus shifts to taking action. With bespoke, individual support, we empower our students to create their next adventure, whether that leads to a Russell Group university, an adventurous gap year, a new business venture, or a challenging apprenticeship.
Inspiring Futures | Junior School
From Pre-School to J6, our Junior School Futures Programme introduces pupils to a vibrant array of futures. Whether they are meeting a firefighter during Aspirations Week or launching a start-up in STEMterprise Week, our students are constantly discovering new pathways, skills, and passions. Guided by our Quaker values, we encourage them not just to dream big, but to "live adventurously" and consider how they can make a difference in the world. This foundation ensures that by Senior School, every pupil is aware of the incredible variety of futures available to them, from agriculture to fine arts, and is inspired to continue their learning.
Progressing Futures | Senior School
From Year 7 to Year 11, we help our students to develop a clearer vision of their future based on their strengths and passions, whilst still leaving the door open to multiple pathways as they continue to develop personally and academically. Key features of our Senior School Futures Programme include:
Throughout the academic year, our enrichment sessions and assemblies come to life as guest speakers share their personal journeys, many of which are wonderfully unconventional. A defining feature of this programme is our ‘Let Your Life Speak’ series, where speakers share deeply meaningful stories that challenge the traditional "nine-to-five" narrative. These talks offer our students a vital perspective; whether it is the story of a world-traveller who began backpacking at 60, proving that life is rarely a straight line, or an award-winning photographer capturing the night sky to combat light pollution, demonstrating that success and social impact can go hand in hand. By showcasing these vibrant, adventurous, and purposeful journeys, we reassure our students that there is plenty of time to explore different futures and, most importantly, we inspire them to build a life of their own design.
Our 'Futures' philosophy is woven directly into the fabric of the academic curriculum, ensuring that classroom learning is never an isolated experience. By bridging the gap between abstract theory and tangible practice, we show students exactly how their studies translate into real-world career pathways.
Beyond the classroom, our academic enrichment programme propels students even further. Through futures-themed symposiums, aspirational visits to institutions such as the University of Oxford, and professional workshops, we provide students with the tools to explore their potential. These experiences do more than sharpen intellect; they challenge students to aim higher, develop essential skills, and confidently begin designing their own ambitious paths.
We are dedicated to transforming ambition into reality through a dynamic calendar of events designed to broaden our students' horizons. Our flagship Careers Afternoon for the entire Senior School stands as a pivotal, inspirational event where students can explore diverse pathways, engage in hands-on workshops (such as filmmaking) to build practical skills beyond the classroom, develop essential soft skills, and hone confidence and connections in networking sessions, vital for their future success. Complementing these wider events, we provide targeted, bespoke workshops for Year 10 and 11 students to ensure they are well-prepared at this critical stage. Year 10 students participate in 8 carousel lessons focused on employability and future pathways, while Year 11 students engage in 6 carousel lessons to explore global opportunities and master essential study skills.
Year 10 work experience empowers students to step into the professional world and take ownership of their personal development. By independently securing placements across diverse sectors (including the NHS, creative industries, local small businesses, and even international firms) our students build vital life skills in responsibility and proactive communication. This immersive experience does more than just build a CV; it provides the real-world clarity needed to identify both professional passions and personal "dealbreakers." Ultimately, these insights prove invaluable as students return to the classroom, helping them shape their Sixth Form options and future pathways with confidence and first-hand knowledge.
In Year 11, students are provided access to Unifrog, alongside protected time to utilise this specialist software. This one-stop shop for future planning empowers students to explore a vast library of careers, apprenticeships, and higher education opportunities tailored to their unique interests. With dedicated sessions to navigate the platform, our students transform their aspirations into actionable plans, using Unifrog’s smart tools to shortlist their top choices, evidence their success, and track their progress toward their ideal post-18 destination.
Choosing subjects for GCSEs and Sixth Form is a defining milestone, offering students the chance to refine their interests and engage with more specialised fields of study. While we recognise that narrowing down these pathways can feel significant, we view this transition as an empowering step toward the future. To support this journey, we host dedicated Options Evenings where students and parents can engage in meaningful dialogue with our expert teaching staff. Complementing these events, our Futures Advisors provide personalised, one-on-one guidance, carefully aligning each student’s unique skills and passions with their long-term ambitions. By blending academic insight with professional mentorship, we ensure that every student navigates these choices with clarity, excitement, and a sense of purpose.
Actioning Futures | Sixth Form
As our students transition into the Sixth Form, we challenge them to think ambitiously and take decisive action toward their futures. While the majority of our students secure places at Russell Group universities, elite international research hubs, and world-renowned creative institutions, their paths are as diverse as their passions. The success of our Futures Programme is evidenced in the unique courses our students choose to pursue; a testament to students who have been inspired by unlimited possibilities and have the courage to chart their own course.
We recognise that success takes many forms. Beyond specialist university guidance, we provide dedicated support for challenging apprenticeships and industry placement schemes for those eager to bridge the gap between professional qualifications and real-world experience. Our global outlook further encourages "adventurous living," helping students design purposeful gap years and international expeditions that cultivate the resilience and soft skills valued by universities and employers worldwide. At Sidcot, we don’t just offer a map; we provide the compass for every student to succeed in whatever future they choose to build.
Sixth Form Futures Programme
Our Sixth Form Futures Programme provides detailed, structured support for students in their final two years of School. Key aspects of the programme include:
Year 12
- Individual Support: 1:1 careers interviews and Morrisby Psychometric testing.
- Global Pathways: Guidance on international study, including "Study USA" and European applications.
- Competitive Entry: Dedicated coaching for Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary, and Dentistry.
- Experience: University visits, UCAS exhibitions, and networking events.
- Preparation: Workshops on choosing courses, personal statements, and LinkedIn.
Year 13
- Application Coaching: Focused 1:1 progression support for UCAS and international applications.
- Industry Focus: Support for high-level apprenticeships, C.V. building, and apprenticeship shows.
- Interview Prep: Mock interviews with alumni and subject specialists.
- Transition: Financial budgeting workshops and talks on "Life Beyond Sidcot".
- Final Steps: Guidance on managing UCAS offers and a comprehensive results service.
Beyond Sidcot
The Sidcot journey doesn’t end at 18. We are proud to provide dedicated Futures support for recent leavers until they reach age 25, providing a helpful safety net as our students navigate the early years of adulthood. Whether they need help applying to university after a gap year, transitioning into their first professional role, or even launching their own business, we are here to guide them. Even as Old Scholars move into their late twenties and beyond, the Sidcotians Connect network remains a lifelong link to a global community of mentors and professional contacts.
Educational Support
We welcome support from local employers and training providers to help shape our students' futures. If you can offer a talk, a work placement, or professional insight, please email alison.pike@sidcot.org.uk
