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Careers

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Welcome to Careers at Fidelis College.

At Fidelis College, we believe that preparing our students for success beyond school is an essential part of their education.

Our Careers Curriculum is designed to help pupils at every stage—from Year 7 through Sixth Form—to explore their strengths, make informed decisions, and confidently navigate their next steps in learning and work.

As an experienced Careers Lead, my passion lies in supporting students as they discover their uniqueness, their passions, and their skills – and using these to shape a future that truly reflects who they are. Rather than encouraging students to fit into a predefined career “box,” I want them to identify the pathways that are best suited to their character, values, and aspirations.

Guided by our Catholic ethos, we believe every student is uniquely formed by God for a purpose. They each possess different gifts, personalities, passions, abilities, and talents. Our mission is to help students recognise and celebrate these qualities, and to support them in pursuing ambitious, meaningful, and fulfilling lives.

– Mrs Danielle McKenzie
Head of Careers, Fidelis College

Our Vision for
Careers Education

Our Careers Curriculum is designed to help pupils at every stage—from Year 7 through Sixth Form—to explore their strengths, make informed decisions, and confidently navigate their next steps in learning and work.

Through our Careers Programme, we aim for every student to develop:

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Self-awareness
and confidence

In their individual strengths, talents, and God-given gifts.

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A broad and informed understanding

Of higher education, apprenticeships, employment sectors, and emerging career pathways.

Our approach is whole-school, progressive, and deliberately integrated into academic learning, pastoral development, and spiritual formation. We believe that careers education should not sit in isolation, but be woven into every aspect of a young person’s experience at Fidelis College.
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The ability to make thoughtful, discerning decisions

Grounded in personal values, interests, and long-term aspirations.

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The essential skills, habits, and attributes

Required for leadership, service, and success in an increasingly global and dynamic world.

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A sense of purpose and responsibility

Using their gifts creatively, ethically, and for the benefit of others.

Discover the Fidelis family

Careers and future planning form a core strand of our PSHE programme from Year 7 onwards. The curriculum is designed to develop progressively, nurturing self-awareness, ambition, and practical career readiness at every stage of a pupil’s journey.

Year 7 – Foundations of Self and Community

In their first year at Fidelis College, pupils explore their transition into secondary school, consider their role within a wider community, and begin to reflect on their personal strengths and developing interests. Through lessons on responsibility, inspiration, and belonging, pupils lay the foundations for self-confidence and future discernment.

Year 8 – Introduction to the World of Work

Pupils are introduced to early concepts relating to employment, workplace expectations, life skills and the value of work. They explore different industries, job roles, and the developing skills they possess, as well as the importance of ambition, service and personal growth. This early exposure cultivates curiosity and broadens horizons.

Year 9 – Developing Skills, Aspirations and Employability

In Year 9, pupils begin refining their understanding of work in greater depth, building on themes of citizenship, leadership and independence. They explore how education choices link to future pathways, and they engage in structured reflection on the skills they are developing. As they prepare for GCSE options, they are encouraged to consider how their talents, values and academic choices shape future opportunities.

Year 10 – Preparing for the World of Work

Pupils are introduced to early concepts relating to employment, workplace expectations, life skills and the value of work. They explore different industries, job roles, and the developing skills they possess, as well as the importance of ambition, service and personal growth. This early exposure cultivates curiosity and broadens horizons.

Year 11 – Next Steps and Future Pathways

Year 11 pupils take part in a dedicated Next Steps programme which supports them in choosing Sixth Form, apprenticeships or other post-16 routes. They are encouraged to reflect on their personal ambitions, consider post-18 possibilities and receive guidance on making informed, values-driven decisions. This is complemented by individual advice, careers fairs and tailored support from staff.

Sixth Form – Careers, Higher Education and Professional Preparation

In Sixth Form, careers education expands significantly through:

  • Weekly Tuesday careers sessions.
  • UCAS and apprenticeship preparation.
  • Unifrog access for every student.
  • Personal statement and application support from trained UCAS advisers.
  • Specialist guidance from an external higher education advisor.
  • Guest speakers, employer workshops and industry talks.
  • One-to-one mentoring and interview support.

A week-long work experience placement in Year 12 across sectors such as medicine, engineering, finance, law and creative industries.

Students are challenged to think deeply not only about what they want to do, but who they are called to become, in line with our Catholic mission.

Work
Experience

All students in Year 12 undertake a work experience placement, enabling them to apply learning, develop professional skills, and explore potential career paths

Students have secured placements in a wide range of sectors including:

  • Medicine and healthcare
  • Engineering
  • Law
  • Finance and banking
  • Education
  • Technology and digital industries
  • Creative and media fields

These experiences give students valuable professional insight and help them begin building networks for the future.

Unifrog

Unifrog: A Whole-School Platform for Futures Education

Fidelis College uses Unifrog, an award-winning online platform that brings careers, apprenticeships, universities, and skills development into one place.

  • Currently used by all Sixth Form pupils.
  • Being rolled out to all year groups in 2025/26.
  • Enables pupils to explore pathways, build profiles, track experiences, and research opportunities.
  • Teachers use it to support careers learning within lessons and tutor time.
  • Parents can also be given access to support conversations at home.

Embedding Careers Across the Curriculum

We recognise that careers education is most powerful when it is everywhere, not just somewhere. At Fidelis College:

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Subject teachers are encouraged to highlight transferable skills, career links, and real-world applications in every discipline

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Departments arrange trips, visits, and enrichment opportunities connected to work and higher study
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Alumni and employers frequently visit to deliver talks, masterclasses, and mentoring
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The careers programme is supported by leadership, embraced by staff, and centred around students

Careers Events & Opportunities

Throughout the year, we offer an ambitious programme of careers encounters, including:

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Careers fairs for Years 10, 11 and 12
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Guest speaker events and industry panels
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University visits and insight days
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Apprenticeship and vocational workshops
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Interview and CV preparation sessions
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Meetings with external advisers and UCAS-trained staff

We welcome involvement from parents, alumni, and employers who wish to support our mission.

Embedding Careers Across the Curriculum

We recognise that careers education is most powerful when it is everywhere, not just somewhere. At Fidelis College:

psychology
Subject teachers are encouraged to highlight transferable skills, career links, and real-world applications in every discipline

travel_explore
Departments arrange trips, visits, and enrichment opportunities connected to work and higher study
mic
Alumni and employers frequently visit to deliver talks, masterclasses, and mentoring
supervisor_account
The careers programme is supported by leadership, embraced by staff, and centred around students

Our Commitment to Excellence

Our Careers Programme is evolving and expanding each year as we work towards full alignment with the Gatsby Benchmarks and national best practice. We are committed to:

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Offering outstanding individual guidance and support at every stage
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Expanding employer and university partnerships
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Broadening access to real-world experience and mentoring
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Ensuring equal access and aspiration for every pupil
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Continually reflecting, evaluating, and improving our provision

Working
Together

If you represent a university, apprenticeship provider, employer, further education institution or training programme and would like to support our careers provision, please contact:

Mrs Danielle McKenzie – Head of Careers
dmckenzie@fidelis.org.uk

We are always seeking to expand opportunities for our pupils and value partnerships that help them explore purposeful, ambitious and fulfilling futures.

Work experience form
school

For Students

Explore careers through PSHE, tutor time and Unifrog; attend speaker events and careers fairs; and speak to your form tutor or Mrs McKenzie for personalised guidance at any stage.

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For Parents and Families

We welcome your support in nurturing ambition and aspiration. If you are able to offer work experience placements, professional insight, mentoring, or networking opportunities, we would be delighted to hear from you.

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For Employers, Providers & Alumni

In accordance with the Baker Clause, Fidelis College ensures that students have access to a wide range of education and training providers, including technical and apprenticeship routes. We actively invite external organisations to take part in our programme through talks, workshops, work experience, and pathway information sessions.

Provider Access Policy

(Baker Clause Compliance Statement)

Fidelis College is committed to providing all pupils with high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG). In accordance with the Baker Clause (Section 42B of the Education Act 1997), we ensure that a range of education and training providers have access to pupils to inform them about approved technical qualifications, apprenticeships, and other post-16 and post-18 pathways.

Student Entitlement

All students in Years 7–13 are entitled to:

  • Hear from a variety of external providers about technical education, vocational routes, apprenticeships, and higher-level qualifications
  • Understand the full range of academic and technical pathways available at each transition point
  • Access impartial guidance, individual careers support, and meaningful encounters with employers and training providers
  • Hear from specialist speakers through assemblies, Careers Sessions, PSHE lessons, enrichment events and Careers Fairs
  • Receive personalised advice that supports informed, values-driven decision making

Management of Provider Access

We welcome requests from

  • Further Education colleges
  • Sixth Form colleges
  • Universities and higher education institutions
  • Apprenticeship and training providers
  • Employers and industry representatives
  • UTCs and technical education institutions
  • Visits may take place during:
  • Tuesday Sixth Form Careers Sessions
  • PSHE lessons
  • Assemblies
  • Employer encounter events
  • Careers fairs
  • Lunch-and-learn sessions
  • Other appropriate times agreed with the school

Visits may take place during:

  • Tuesday Sixth Form Careers Sessions
  • PSHE lessons
  • Assemblies
  • Employer encounter events
  • Careers fairs
  • Lunch-and-learn sessions
  • Other appropriate times agreed with the school

Opportunities for Access

A number of events already form part of our annual Careers Programme and offer providers the opportunity to speak directly to pupils and/or parents. These include:

  • Annual Careers Fair (Years 10–12)
  • Apprenticeships and Technical Pathways Evening
  • Higher Education Events
  • Employer Talks & Guest Speaker Sessions
  • Sixth Form Next Steps Programme
Providers wishing to request access should contact:

📩 Mrs Danielle McKenzie – Head of Careers
dmckenzie@fidelis.org.uk

Fidelis College will approve access requests that support curriculum aims and safeguard student well-being. The school reserves the right to decline requests that do not align with our ethos or statutory obligations.

Download Provider Access Policy

Contact

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Questions? Answers

What age can my child join Fidelis College?

From September 2025, Oakwood, The Cedars, and The Laurels Schools will transition into Fidelis College — a co-educational school for children aged 4 to 18. Each section of Fidelis College —Prep, College and Sixth Form — has its own identity and educational approach, tailored to the needs of each stage of development. However, all share a common educational vision rooted in academic excellence, character formation and the Catholic values that define the spirit of the school.

Why choose Fidelis College for my child's education?

Fidelis College is a top co-educational school with a Catholic ethos in South London that strives to help students reach their academic potential and develop strong character and moral values through close collaboration with parents. The school promotes a love of learning, virtue-based character education, and cultural literacy. Teachers are chosen as both experts and role models, while pastoral care focuses on wellbeing, responsibility, and service. Rooted in Catholic values, Fidelis offers a holistic education that prepares students to lead meaningful, happy lives and contribute positively to society.

What does it mean for Fidelis College to be part of the Parentes Foundation?

Parentes Foundation was established to promote high quality education through the development of human virtues. It has a strong financial backing through its ProEduca Group, one of the largest educational organisations in the world. It supports more than fifty educational institutions across the globe, including universities, schools and other educational projects.

The Parentes Foundation has a long term commitment to PACT schools and seeks to ensure that their educational vision will become a reference point for education in the UK.