finding our futures

We recognise the importance of students having the opportunity to explore all potential education and career options available to them before they leave secondary school. We want all our students, no matter what their starting point, to have the opportunity to explore, believe and achieve a bright and happy future.

This is achieved in partnership with the University of Surrey, through our ‘Finding Our Futures’ programme. Our dedicated Aspirations Lead, Miss E Ridgley, is responsible for ensuring all students receive aspiration activities during their time at Kings.

Our vision for the ‘Finding Our Futures’ programme is ‘A whole school approach to providing a coherent and individualised programme of academic and pastoral support that aims to assist students in raising their aspirations and attainment.’
This is achieved in the following ways:

  • Fortnightly tutor time activities
  • PSHE Lessons
  • External employer visits
  • Cultural capital opportunities
  • Trips and extra-curricular activities
Award Winning – 2019

We are pleased to say that our ‘Finding Our Futures’ programme won the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) Award for Partnerships. This award acknowledged the strength of the school and university’s partnership in widening access to higher education together.

We also won the NEON Award for Widening Access School/College of the Year, recognising the school’s commitment to supporting all students to progress and achieve the best outcomes at school and beyond.

We accepted both awards on Thursday 2nd May 2019 at Westminster Palace.

Want to know more?

If you require more information or have any questions about our ‘Finding Our Futures’ programme or aspirations in general, then please contact our Aspirations Lead, Miss E Ridgley by email: [email protected]

Future Links

The below links offer a wealth of information and support when considering future options and pathways. Students and parents/carers may find these websites and resources beneficial when thinking about what comes after secondary school.

National Careers Service
The National Careers service website provides information, advice and guidance to help make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. Their service offers confidential, helpful and impartial advice, supported by qualified careers advisers.

UCAS
UCAS, in a nutshell, is like google for universities. The site will enable you to view potential degree courses, research different universities and see other education opportunities such as degree apprenticeships. You will also apply to universities through this platform by creating an account

Not Going to Uni
This website is dedicated to providing information about future pathway options that do not involve going to university. The site provides tips, information about apprenticeships, employment and other types of courses as well as advertising vacancies that you could apply for.

School Leaver Jobs
This site showcases jobs and career paths available to school leavers. The site advertises vacancies for apprenticeships and school leaver programmes and offers advice on choosing the right path, applying for opportunities and creating CVs. You can also apply directly for jobs and programmes through this site.

Apprenticeships
The government’s one stop shop for information and resources about apprenticeships available in the UK. The site provides information about being and apprentice, the different types of apprenticeships and the varying qualification levels. It also has a search engine enabling you to look for available apprenticeships in your area.

Prospects
This site offers information about potential future jobs and careers. It gives detail about each career, allows you to search for particular jobs and provides information such as typical duties, required qualifications, typical working hours and salary. It also has information writing CVs and covering letters.

Careers Pilot
This resource has a site for students and a site dedicated to supporting parents. It offers information and advice on education and career options available to students between 13 and 14 (when choosing GCSE options), post 16 (leaving school) and post 18 (leaving college or training). The site has information pages, quizzes to help students think and activities to help people start thinking about the future.

Which? University
A website designed to help students easily search university courses based on their A-Level choices and make more informed decisions about their options for Higher Education.