Next Steps – Futures Programme

In today’s rapidly evolving world, equipping our students with the right skills and knowledge to thrive in their future careers is of paramount importance.

The Futures Department at Forest is committed to upholding the Gatsby Benchmarks, a framework recognised nationally for excellence in careers education. But our vision extends beyond just ticking boxes – we aim to cultivate in our students the very competencies that the OECD has identified as crucial for the future of education and employment.

Beyond imparting subject knowledge, the Futures Department works to broaden our students’ horizons. We facilitate encounters with a diverse array of employers, professionals and higher education institutions, working closely with our Sixth Form Team, opening pupils’ eyes to the vast array of opportunities that await them. Our aim is to inspire Foresters to dream big and pursue paths that align with their unique talents and aspirations.

At Forest School, planning for immediate next steps and the future starts in the Preparatory School and continues to Year 13 and beyond. This is to allow all pupils to take an interest in and get excited about the opportunities available to them from an early age.

Next steps/futures planning is embedded throughout the personal development and core curriculum where individuality is embraced, and pupils are equipped with the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes they need to thrive in their immediate next steps and in the future. This is implemented through a range of varied and bespoke opportunities which allow pupils to focus on what they enjoy and what they are interested in, which inform and magnify their aspirations. As a result, as Forest pupils progress into the sixth form, they have faith and confidence in the pathway ahead.

The Futures Department collaborates with colleagues across the school to prepare each pupil at Forest School to thrive as a whole person and as a direct impact of this, thrive in an ever-evolving world. Pupils are guided in planning for next steps through conversations with teachers, tutors, Heads of House, Heads of Section, Academic Leads and the Director of Futures. To support with this, all pupils across the Senior School also have access to Unifrog, the online universal destinations planning tool.

Forest School uses the Gatsby Benchmarks, as set out below, as a foundation when planning and preparing pupils for the future. These are evidence based and are nationally recognised as being the bedrock of careers guidance. Our next steps/futures planning is progressive, cumulative and age appropriate. Forest School fully embraces a whole school approach to next steps/futures planning with the understanding that this leads to positive destinations for Forest pupils.

You can read more about our full programme in our 2024-25 Futures Handbook below:

Sept 2024 – July 2025 – Next Steps Futures Programme 

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Contact: Director of Futures Mrs S Charlton sc@forest.org.uk