Careers Guidance at Redmaids' High School

Choosing a university course, apprenticeship or future pathway can feel overwhelming for many young people. At Redmaids’ High, careers guidance begins in Year 7 and continues throughout every stage of a student’s school journey. From early self-reflection and skills development to university applications and interview preparation, our long-term approach helps students make informed, confident decisions about their future.

Careers education at Redmaids’ High is led by Dr Lisa Jephcote, who has directed the school’s Futures and Guidance programme for more than 15 years. Holding a doctorate focused on the value of single-sex education for girls, Dr Jephcote is recognised for her expertise in how such an environment can nurture confidence, ambition and success in young women.

Personalised Approach to Every Student

No two students follow the same path, and careers education at Redmaids’ High reflects this. Some Sixth Form students arrive with a clear vision of their future career, while others are still discovering their strengths and interests.

Dr Jephcote and her team work closely with each student to provide tailored guidance and practical support. Their aim is to simplify what can often feel like an overwhelming process and ensure that future decisions are shaped by the individual student. Families remain an important part of these conversations, but students are encouraged to develop the confidence to make their own informed choices.

University Course and Application Support

While apprenticeships and alternative pathways are becoming increasingly popular, many students still choose to progress to university. The university application process is highly individual, and support at Redmaids’ High is designed to reflect this.

At the centre of the programme is a subject mentor system, where students work one-to-one with specialists in their chosen field. Mentors help students refine university course choices, strengthen personal statements and prepare for interviews.

For students applying to highly competitive courses such as Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science, or to universities including Oxford and Cambridge, support becomes even more specialised. Students are guided through evolving admissions processes, including preparation for course-specific entrance assessments increasingly used by universities such as LSE and University of Warwick.

Choosing the Right University

Choosing a university is a significant personal and financial commitment. With rising tuition fees and living costs, it is essential that students feel well-informed in choosing the right place for this next chapter in their life.

A common misconception is that university “rankings” or name alone should be the deciding factor. The best choice is often the place that offers the strongest provision for a specific subject, for example, a specialist creative university such as Falmouth would be brilliant for Art and Design, or the University of Reading is fantastic for Meteorology related courses. Guidance at Redmaids’ High helps students make these distinctions.

Apprenticeship and Alternative Pathway Support

For students considering alternatives to the traditional university route, Redmaids’ High provides specialist support to help them explore ambitious and rewarding opportunities.

Apprenticeships are valued equally alongside university destinations, with dedicated experts supporting students through every stage of the process, including CV preparation, applications and interview practice. As apprenticeships become increasingly competitive, students really benefit from this help.

Another popular route for our students is the Art Foundation course at the Bristol School of Art, which offers a more independent, college-style learning experience. Students often choose this before progressing to specialist art and design degrees.

Careers Education from Year 7 Onwards

Although support intensifies in Sixth Form, careers education begins much earlier. From Year 7, students are encouraged to reflect on their passions and skills, helping them build the self-awareness needed for future decision-making.

As students progress through the school they benefit from:

• Career focused PSHE lessons
• Classroom discussions about where subjects can lead to in the future
• Access to careers platforms such as Unifrog (which is used for careers exploration, personality skills profiling and course options)
• Virtual work experience opportunities
• Networking with Redmaids’ High alumnae
• Guest speaker insights from professionals working in various industries including law, medicine, engineering and the Creative Arts

By the time students choose GCSE and Sixth Form subjects, they do so with a growing understanding of how their interests and abilities can shape future career opportunities.

Preparing Students for life Beyond Sixth Form

Preparing students for adult life extends beyond academic success and university applications. Through the Lighthouse Programme, Sixth Form students develop practical life skills designed to help them thrive independently after school.

The programme includes topics such as:

• Managing personal finances
• Understanding tax and budgeting
• Cooking independently
• Basic car maintenance
• Health and well-being
• Politics and current affairs
• Relationships, consent and personal responsibility

Alongside careers and university guidance, these experiences help students leave school feeling prepared for the realities of adult life.

Ongoing Support Beyond School

Support does not end when students leave Redmaids’ High. Whether they are adjusting to a new environment or reconsidering their direction, ongoing support through Years 14 and 15 remains available, reflecting our long-term commitment to each student’s success.

Successful Outcomes

Dr Jephcote says, “It takes a village to help a student get where they want to go.” This reflects our whole-school approach where teachers, tutors, mentors, families and the wider community work together throughout each student’s journey.

This personalised and collaborative ethos leads to exceptional outcomes; in 2025, 90% of Redmaids’ High students secured their first-choice destination. Most importantly, students leave Redmaids’ High with the confidence and independence to navigate an increasingly complex world and shape futures that are meaningful to them.

To learn more about Sixth Form life, careers guidance and university preparation at Redmaids’ High click here or contact our Admissions team to book a visit.