Futures and Careers
The biggest reason to attend Sixth Form is to set yourself up for the next steps in your life – wherever they may take you. Your choice of subjects and co-curricular activities is the first step towards a satisfying, life-defining career. We’ll help you to work out where you want to go and what you want to do, and we’ll give you the tools to help you get there; be that via university, further study or an apprenticeship, straight into work or even a gap year; we can support you whatever your choice. We can also help and provide advice on taking a gap year as well as work experience.
Finding a vision for your future
Throughout your education at Woodbridge, you’ll be encouraged to lean into your own identity and play to your talents.
You may already have a very clear idea of what you want to study, either following your creative abilities or aiming for a specific career plan that requires taking certain subjects, such as chemistry for medicine. On the other hand, you may have no idea and could be wondering what will best suit your unique combination of abilities, character and preferences.
Whichever situation you are in, we will help you. Our careers department provides one-to-one support, giving you the means to find focus for the years ahead and allowing you to learn from mentors who have followed the same path where possible.
University advice
A vital part of your education at Woodbridge is securing the best possible opportunity for when you leave. The Sixth Form Centre is home to our Careers and UCAS Advisors who, along with your tutors, can sustain comprehensive and personalised support throughout the decision-making and application processes.
If you’re aiming for Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, or particularly competitive courses, then you will benefit from bespoke guidance from dedicated teachers who will help to make your application as strong as it can be. They can also offer expert tuition to prepare for additional exams, admission tests and interviews.
Every student receives comparable support for their individual plans: every single plan matters. Whether preparing a portfolio, practising for auditions, applying outside of the UK, or even something else we haven’t encountered before, we will prioritise accordingly, providing you with the time, guidance and expertise you need to make the right choices and achieve your goals.
In addition to personalised support, we offer a variety of events to make the UCAS and other application processes less daunting for both parents and students. These include UCAS evenings to explain to parents how we work together to navigate the complexities of the system, and a visit to a regional university in order to provide an insight into university life.
Oxbridge support
Our Head of Academic Scholars and Oxbridge provides tailored one-to-one support for our Oxbridge candidates. Advising on wider reading, masterclasses, MOOCs, and suitable essay competitions, she also works very closely with applicants on Personal Statements and interview practice. There is a wide range of subject-specific support for entrance exams as well as fortnightly sessions to provide stretch and challenge beyond the curriculum, including work on Oxford Thinking Skills.
Careers advice
Students are encouraged to continually consider, research and plan for their future goals. The Careers Hub in the Sixth Form Centre is always open for drop-in questions, while our internal platform contains a plethora of information on everything from taster days to apprenticeships, CV writing, gap year placements and more. All students are able to book one-to-one time with our Careers Advisor to discuss their future plans, whatever they may be.
Careers advice begins well before Sixth Form with initial advice and discussions from Year 7 and specific career topics covered in PSHE lessons for Years 9-13. Students have access to icould from Year 7 and our Unifrog Careers platform is available to all students, from Years 9 to 13. Once in Sixth Form, students also have dedicated sessions where they can learn more about the UCAS process, gap years, apprenticeships, different careers, interview techniques and CV writing. We also organise lunchtime Career Talks across a number of different industries – a unique initiative offering a chance for students to meet and network with professionals in their fields of interest.
Co-curricular club
Careers Explorer is a co-curricular club that is available to all students, with Year 13 students having primary access during Michaelmas term, in order to enable to manage their UCAS applications with support and guidance. This club provides all students with the opportunity to see and participate in a variety of career-based activities throughout the year with a calendar of events shared regularly in anticipation of each screening. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Annual Careers Fair
An annual Careers Fair also provides many opportunities for face-to-face meetings with different universities as well as national and local business, some who offer apprenticeships. With over 50 exhibitors, you’ll be able to discuss details of apprenticeship schemes, gap year options, school leaver and graduate programmes, meet and talk with different universities about the courses on offer, as well as get advice and guidance on work experience placements.
Should you have any career related questions please contact Mrs Sharon Stafford, Career Advisor, 01394 615199, careers@woodbridgeschool.org.uk
Old Woodbridgian Network
Woodbridge School has a network of over 4,000 Old Woodbridgians (OWs, former students), many of whom are happy to help and support current students with work experience or advice.
Every student’s careers journey begins the minute they start Senior School, and this includes their UCAS pathway should university be their chosen destination – and this journey doesn’t end in Year 13.
Through our online platform for our OW network, former students can support one another on their continuing journeys beyond School. ‘Once an OW always an OW’, this means we are always here to help, no matter what stage of life, learning or career pathway you might be at.
OWs also have ongoing access to one-to-one guidance on UCAS and apprenticeship applications, as well as general careers advice. If you don’t have access organised and would like to, arrange this, please contact the School’s Careers Advisor.
If you are an OW and require more information or support, please contact Sam James our Alumni and Engagement Officer on 01394 615177 or email sjames@seckfordfoundation.org.uk
Two OWs and our Head of Geography Host Careers Events in School
Year 9 Enterprise Day with EDF
Careers Support and Advice in School – January 2025
Veterinary Experience Workshop
Want to see for yourself?
In addition to our open days, we welcome visits from parents and children looking for the right foundation for life ahead. We’ll be happy to show you around and answer any questions you have about our School, staff and the support we offer our students.