Futures
What are the skills needed in tomorrow’s workplace? What higher education options, work experience or apprenticeships will help students with their individual paths? And how do we encourage an enterprising mindset that allows young people to have a go, take risks and pick themselves up from setbacks? These are key questions for our Futures team, who work with students to give bespoke advice for life after school.
“Outstanding individualised care is at the heart of the WHS Sixth Form, and specialist Futures support is central to that vision. We are delighted that our provision is sector-leading, ensuring all students have the support, care and guidance they deserve to stride out from WHS with all the tools at their disposal to thrive.”
Holly Rodgers, Head of Sixth
Sharing Expertise
As the school’s Head of Enterprise and Employability, Fiona Lucas has 25 years+ experience in senior leadership positions, building relationships with some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs and corporate executives. We have driven hard in recent years to enhance and further develop our Futures offering, involving parents and alumnae, governors, GDST colleagues and friends of the school as we look to share expertise. Regular Career Conversations take place, with professionals from a variety of industries sharing their insights and advice with students.
Professional Advice
“My 7 years at WHS helped build my self-confidence, and provided a safe space where I felt I could better understand myself and my strengths. I learned the importance of being an effective communicator and building strong relationships with those around me. As a governor of WHS now, I’m absolutely delighted to see how (what we used to call) ‘careers advice’ has developed into something so substantial, and fitting for the professional world of today.”
Carmen Palmer, alumna and WHS governor
Tools for Success
Our Futures Friday newsletters are emailed regularly to students (and made available to parents) and showcase opportunities for work experience, internships, apprenticeships, gap year planning and higher and further education news.
Students from Years 9 to 13 can arrange an individual discussion about careers, highlighting any areas they would like additional support, for example, work experience applications or CV writing.
Futures Fair
Our Futures Fair, which this year was held on 18 March, is the highlight of the Futures Programme calendar. More than 60 professionals, including over 25 WHS alumnae, working in industries ranging from cyber-security, sound engineering and astrophysics to sustainability, textile design and digital marketing, came together to share advice in the Networking Lounge, as well as taking part in Q&A panel sessions on Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Finance & Banking, Law and Medicine. Keynote speaker Isabel Berwick, Work & Careers editor at the Financial Times, also spoke to parents on how they can support students with future choices and navigate the rapidly-changing world of work.