FUTURES PROGRAMME 2026 – 2027
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FUTURES PROGRAMME 2026-2027
"The Futures Department has been invaluable in helping me choose my university place and think about future careers." UPPER 6 LEAVER
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CONTENTS 3 The LEH Futures Team 4 Futures Help at LEH
7 Looking Ahead to Sixth Form 9 Specialist Advice
10 Support for Applications to Oxford and Cambridge
12 Applications for Law
11 A pplications for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science
14 University Additional Admissions Tests 15 Applications to American Universities
16 Application to Universities beyond the UK and USA
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THE LEH FUTURES TEAM 2026 - 2027
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• Ms Rachel Hart (Modern Languages) Director of Futures and Head of Life Advice • Mrs Catherine Nicholls (Biology) Head of Year (Middle School), Deputy Director of Futures Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science University Applications Co-ordinator • Mrs Abi Hillman Futures Co-ordinator • Miss Barnett (English) (Head of Year Sixth Form) Co-ordinator for Applications to US Universities • M s Diana Blease (Chemistry) Oxbridge Co-ordinator • Mrs Rhiannon Brown (Classics) Head of Year (Middle School) • D r Ian Jakeway (Philosophy, Religion and Ethics PRE) Oxbridge HALE Co-ordinator • Mrs Alice Lindsay (History of Art) Sixth Form Team • Mr Sam Thater (Modern Languages) Assistant Head (Sixth Form) • Mr Mark Tompsett (Modern Languages) UCAS and University Additional Tests Administrator • Mr John Winterburn (Philosophy, Religion and Ethics PRE) Law Applications Co-ordinator
Students can speak to a member of the Futures Team at any stage of their school career. They can either make an appointment or attend one of the ‘Drop In’ sessions which take place at 1.05pm each day in the Futures Room. All the Futures staff can help with general enquiries from students. 3
FUTURES HELP AT LEH The Futures Programme runs sequentially throughout the students’ time at LEH. Key points of the programme include: THIRDS A year group talk giving an introduction to Futures, including the different skills and qualities needed for different careers.
LOWER 4 Form group sessions considering stereotypes, bias and the gender pay gap.
UPPER 4 • Life Advice sessions, including talks from Heads of Departments about GCSEs. • GCSE Information Evening. • Questionnaire and follow-up interview organised and conducted by Futures staff to help with GCSE choices. • GCSE subject choices. • Subject Forum with Upper 5 pupils regarding subject choices.
LOWER 5 • An introduction to Unifrog as a resource for researching careers and a year group talk from InvestIn about work experience opportunities. • Computerised questionnaire (Morrisby) followed up with an individual meeting to discuss careers and A level choices in the Autumn Term of Upper 5.
UPPER 5 • Annual Careers Evening. • Forum with Sixth Form regarding subject choices. • Life Advice sessions – writing a CV; preparing for work experience. • Opportunities to attend extra-curricular talks. • Annual Higher Education Fair. • Individual Morrisby meeting.
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LOWER 6 • U pdate Morrisby and Unifrog profiles followed by an individual chance to meet to discuss degree subjects/university choices. • Advice on Futures and Higher Education (involves subject staff and Sixth Form Tutors). • Annual Careers Evening. • UCAS Evening (for parents and students). • Opportunities to attend extra-curricular talks. • Higher Education Fair. • Support for applications to internships and other work-related programmes. • LEH Elevate - alumnae mentoring programme. • MedSoc and LawSoc begin at start of the Spring Term. • Oxbridge Programme begins at the start of the Spring Term, delivered through Subject Plus lessons. • Introduction to Holles Connect, LEH’s fantastic network of alumnae.
UPPER 6 • MedSoc and LawSoc continue until the end of the Autumn Term. • Annual Careers Evening. • Support with the UCAS application process. • Dedicated UCAS Day in September. • Oxbridge Programme continues, including mock interviews. • Support with additional university tests, including practice sessions in school. • Opportunities to attend extra-curricular talks. • Support for applications to internships and other work-related programmes. • LEH Elevate - alumnae mentoring programme. • Support and advice when A level results arrive.
POST-A LEVEL • A designated Post-A level applications morning in early September. • In addition, advice is available whenever necessary Email: futures@lehs.org.uk 5
THE MORRISBY PROGRAMME
LEH uses the Morrisby Careers Advice & Guidance Online Platform. Upper 5 Pupils complete an online questionnaire which is analysed and used to prepare an individual report for each participating student, focusing on their abilities and interests. Each pupil has a one-to-one meeting with a member of the Futures Team to review their results and is given guidance on A level choices and implications for possible career paths. Pupils can invite their parents to view their profile. In the Lower 6 the students update their Morrisby profile to explore their future pathways. The results are reviewed in a one-to-one meeting with a member of the Futures Team, which allows the student to consider the available options and form an action plan.
PARENTS’ EVENING
The Upper 5 Parents’ Evening is held in February, and A level choices are submitted shortly afterwards.
THE CAREERS EVENING – SPRING TERM
The Futures Department organises an annual Careers Evening, to which all Upper 5, Sixth Formers and parents are invited. It will be held on Tuesday 25th February 2027. It is arranged on a ‘market-place’ basis, so that pupils can talk informally to representatives of careers which particularly interest them. In previous events, over 65 careers have been represented, ranging from Accountancy to Law, Technology, Healthcare, the Civil Service, the Arts, Media and Publishing. Some businesses that attended were locally-based, such as the National Physical Laboratory; whilst others, including PwC, Accenture and Google were international. LEH is very grateful to alumnae, parents and organisations who give up their time in this way. In particular, our former pupils always seem to enjoy returning to LEH to meet our current students.
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LOOKING AHEAD TO THE SIXTH FORM
The Futures Department works very closely with subject staff and Sixth Form Tutors in providing future career education, information and guidance. During Lower 6, the emphasis is on developing personal skills, educating students on a range of Higher Education pathways and broadening their knowledge about the workplace as preparation for life beyond school. In Upper 6, the focus includes support with the UCAS process and other Higher Education or employment pathways.
UCAS EVENING
Parents and Lower 6 students are invited to attend the Sixth Form UCAS Evening in February. The evening aims to disseminate information on applying to university in the UK and abroad. The Head and members of the Futures Team are also available to answer questions.
THE HIGHER EDUCATION FAIR – MARCH
The Higher Education Fair is an annual event where around 30 popular universities visit LEH to talk informally to students in Lower 6 and Upper 5 at LEH, Hampton School and other local schools. In previous events the universities represented included Bath, Cardiff, Durham, Exeter, Imperial College London, Warwick and Queens University Belfast together with many other institutions.
ELEVATE - OUR ALUMNAE MENTORING PROGRAMME
The Futures Department offers a Mentoring Scheme whereby, whenever possible, students interested in a particular career are matched with ex-pupils working in that field. Sixth Form students should contact the Alumnae Office for further information on this scheme. The Futures Room is open to all students, and also to those students who decide to make a Post-A level application.
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UCAS DAY – SEPTEMBER
A day is set aside to allow all Upper 6 pupils to finalise their UCAS applications. Sixth Form Tutors, Futures Staff, the Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Vetinary Science and Law Co-ordinators will all be available to assist. Mock university admissions tests are also timetabled for this day. If students decide to apply to university after A level results are received, this is known as a Post-A level application and the school will offer support and advice.
LIFE BEYOND SCHOOL
The Sixth Form Life Advice and Futures programme aims to prepare students for life beyond school, equipping them with key skills and knowledge, encouraging personal growth and self-reflection, and providing individual support for the Higher Education process. A wide range of external speakers complement our in-house provision, and cover Life Advice topics such as safety and driving, strategies for managing mental health, financial literacy and budgeting, and seeking out services at university or on a GAP year.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME
The Enrichment Programme is open to all students and we encourage them to participate. Joint enrichment lessons are shared with Hampton School and form part of the Sixth Form curriculum. There are also year group talks from inspirational speakers. Futures meetings afford students the opportunity to update their Morrisby profile and to explore their degree or further training and apprenticeship options. In addition, regular tutor slots enable students to receive advice on the UCAS application process, including choosing their course and university, and writing their personal statements.
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SPECIALIST ADVICE 9
SUPPORT FOR APPLICATIONS TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE
LEH offers a thorough programme of support for all prospective Oxbridge applicants. The programme concentrates on the three main aspects of the preparation process and runs them parallel alongside each other throughout the year.
LECTURES AND SPEAKERS
We have a large number of lectures by visiting speakers throughout the year (both at LEH and Hampton School) and there is an opportunity for students to develop wider subject knowledge through weekly ‘Subject Plus’ enrichment sessions in which they will extend their knowledge and develop their skills beyond A level.
APPLICATIONS AND INTERVIEW ADVICE
There is support and advice given with application procedures and interview preparation. Once a student has confirmed their intention to apply, they are supported by a member of the Oxbridge Team who will guide and advise them throughout the application process. All Oxbridge candidates are provided with a minimum of two mock interviews from which they receive valuable feedback.
ADMISSIONS TEST SUPPORT
We provide help and support to students in preparing for various admissions tests which usually take place in October and when candidates are invited up for interview in December. These are now an important part of the application process for some subjects at other universities, not just for Oxford and Cambridge. Of course, students are also encouraged to be independent and self-motivated. For example, in previous years pupils have organised appropriate work experience and attended relevant evening lectures and have taken part in Master Classes or Summer Schools in their proposed degree subject in the holidays.
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UNIVERSITY VISITS
Oxford, Cambridge and London University visits with LEH alumnae take place in the Spring Term and are open to all Lower 6 students. We also hold our Oxbridge Information Evening for parents in the Spring Term.
APPLICATIONS FOR MEDICINE, DENTISTRY AND VETERINARY SCIENCE
These are among the most rewarding of professions and, due to the responsible and challenging nature of the work, entry to these courses is highly competitive. Excellent GCSE results are required as a sound basis for an application. The school offers support to suitable candidates from Upper 5 onwards. Mrs Nicholls is the member of the Futures Team who advises applicants for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science.
UPPER 5 The aim at this stage is to identify those students who might be interested in a career in these fields, and to help them become informed about the professions by undertaking work experience and voluntary work. Once interested students have identified themselves to Mrs Nicholls, they are: • Given a brief outline of the application process. • Invited to Medsoc talks when pertinent to their year group. • Advised on how to find work experience and voluntary work. • Invited to the Careers Evening to meet a variety of relevant professionals.
LOWER 6 In Lower 6 the focus moves to confirming the students’ vocation through additional work experience. Preparation for the UCAT and UCAS application is delivered through the weekly Medsoc meetings which begin in January. Competition for places is fierce and students need to think strategically when considering university choices.
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STUDENTS ARE:
• Provided with information on a range of conferences, courses and open days. • Given further details and dates about sitting the UCAT. • Invited to attend training for the UCAT.
• Invited to attend a variety of talks from professionals and recent alumna. • Encouraged to continue with a variety of work experience and voluntary work.
• Given tailored advice about strategic medical school choices. • Encouraged to share information gathered from attending open days at Medsoc. • Invited to the Careers’ Evening to meet a variety of relevant professionals.
UPPER 6 All LEH students receive support with writing their personal statement and managing their university choices, interviews and ultimately offers. Students are: • Invited to mock interviews led by Medsoc’s professional mentors. • Invited to sign-up for Multiple Mini-Interview training (MMI). • Supported throughout the application process. • Given advice on results day where necessary. • Post-A level application support offered.
APPLICATIONS FOR LAW
Law is an intellectually demanding and highly competitive subject, attracting strong applicants to every leading university. As well as excellent GCSE and A level results, universities look for a genuine interest in how law shapes society, and the ability to read closely, reason carefully and argue persuasively. Many courses also require the LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law). Students should also be aware that there are several routes into the legal profession, including a Law degree, a non-Law degree followed by a conversion course, and solicitor apprenticeships. Students considering Law are encouraged to develop their understanding 12
of the subject beyond the classroom and to engage critically with legal issues and current affairs. Mr Winterburn is the Law Applications Coordinator and supports students in the different stages of the application process.
LOWER 6 During Lower 6, students are encouraged to explore Law as an academic discipline and to begin developing the skills needed for a strong university application. Students are: • Invited to participate in the school’s Law Society, exploring major areas of law, significant cases and contemporary legal issues. • Encouraged to undertake wider reading, attend lectures and engage critically with law in the news. • Provided with information on a range of conferences, courses, open days and virtual internships. • Supported in developing the analytical reasoning and argument skills required for studying Law. • Given advice on university choices and admissions requirements, including the LNAT. • Introduced to LNAT preparation, including both the multiple-choice and essay components.
UPPER 6 In Upper 6, support becomes increasingly focused on the application and admissions process. Students are: • Given structured LNAT preparation and practice, with guidance on improving both comprehension/reasoning and essay technique. • Offered individual feedback on LNAT essays. • Supported in developing and refining their UCAS personal statement. • Given individual advice on university choices and application strategy. • Offered interview preparation and mock interviews, particularly for Oxford and Cambridge applicants. • Supported throughout the application process and when considering offers and university choices. 13
UNIVERSITY ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS TESTS
Candidates for Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London, and for Medicine and Law courses are routinely pre-tested by their prospective universities, but increasingly other faculties pre-assess their candidates. During the UCAS application process in Lower and Upper 6, information is provided about the tests and relevant deadlines. For those pupils planning to apply for a subject requiring a University Admissions Test, a series of subject-specific support and preparation sessions are provided by school. Many of these specialist tests are taken outside of school at Pearson Vue Test Centres. Details of admissions tests can be found at the following websites:
OXFORD www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests
CAMBRIDGE www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admission-assessments
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/process/admissions-tests/
THE LAW NATIONAL APTITUDE TEST (LNAT) www.lnat.ac.uk/
UNIVERSITY CLINICAL APTITUDE TEST (UCAT) www.ucat.ac.uk/
OTHER ADMISSIONS TESTS
Please check individual university course guide pages Please check all your university course guides carefully to see if your course requires an admissions test. Please be aware that the required tests change from year to year and so university webpages often have the most up-to-date resources.
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APPLICATIONS TO AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES
Miss Barnett is the designated member of staff responsible for overseeing arrangements relating to such applications. Pupils who are interested in applying to American universities are encouraged to discuss their plans with Miss Barnett as early as possible. Pupils are responsible for completing their section of the application and arranging the completion of the appropriate SAT or ACT tests in good time, ideally during their Lower 6 year. LEH holds contact details of several external consultants whom some LEH pupils have used in the past to guide them through the complexities of the system. This is particularly beneficial when pupils elect to apply to universities which either do not use the Common Application route, or which require additional information and documentation. LEH will then oversee the arrangements for the completion of all other documentation. This will encompass, as a minimum, for those pursuing the Common Application route the ‘School Profile’, the ‘Transcript’ for each candidate, the ‘Secondary School Report’, the two ‘Teacher Evaluation’ forms, the ‘International Supplement’, the ‘Mid-Year Report’ and the ‘Final Report’. Candidates have the freedom to choose which Sixth Form teachers they would like to write their recommendations for the ‘Teacher Evaluation’. The ‘Secondary School Report’ is written by their Tutor. LEH will ensure that these are produced in good time. Additionally, the School organises a biennial ‘American Universities Information Evening’, which has been hosted in the past by one of our external consultants and which provides a thorough introduction to those who might be interested in pursuing an application. We also invite an expert in this field to attend the annual Higher Education Fair where pupils have the opportunity to discuss the application process on a one-to-one basis. We are happy to put pupils in email contact with former pupils now studying in the US. It is common for pupils to pursue a UCAS application alongside an application to one or more American universities, and many feel that this broadens the range of higher education options open to them. The nature of the courses and the cost of studying in the US mean that this option is not for everyone, making it all the more important to be fully informed of all facets of the relevant courses, 15
universities and application systems. There is also a section within the Futures Room which provides information on the application process and prospectuses. This is an excellent first step for pupils who are potentially interested.
APPLICATION TO UNIVERSITIES BEYOND THE UK AND USA Since the introduction of top-up fees, many UK students have become interested in undergraduate and postgraduate courses available throughout Europe, which are often much more reasonably priced or even free of tuition costs. This has coincided with the introduction of BA and MA courses in English in many European universities. At LEH we provide information and support for students who are interested in following this route.
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LADY ELEANOR HOLLES HANWORTH ROAD HAMPTON TW12 3HF E: futures@lehs.org.uk T: 020 8979 1601 www.lehs.org.uk 18