FUTURES COUNSELLING | THE ARBOR SCHOOL

Students begin to explore their interests, strengths, values and possible future pathways.

Guidance helps them:

• Understand the relationship between subjects, skills and careers
• Recognise their individual strengths and interests
• Explore a broad range of occupations and industries
• Prepare for GCSE subject selection
• Begin recording experiences and achievements

Students receive guidance as they progress through GCSE and IGCSE courses and prepare for post-16 study.

Support includes:

• Sixth Form and subject-selection guidance
• Exploration of A Level and vocational pathways
• Careers research
• Initial university and entry-requirement awareness
• Opportunities to engage with employers and universities
• Development of personal academic and career plans

Sixth Form students receive individual support as they prepare for university, further education, apprenticeships or employment.

Guidance may include:

• University and course research
• Application strategy and timelines
• Personal statement and written-application support
• Guidance on entry requirements
• Application and admissions-test preparation
• Interview preparation
• Apprenticeship and employment pathways
• Decision-making following offers
• Preparation for the transition beyond school

Support is adapted to each student’s destination, aspirations and individual circumstances.

One-to-one counselling gives students the opportunity to discuss their interests, academic profile and ambitions in detail.

Working with the Futures Counsellor, students can develop personalised academic and career plans incorporating short- and longer-term goals. These plans are reviewed as students progress and their interests become clearer.

Individual guidance may consider:

• Academic strengths and current attainment
• Personal interests and values
• Preferred learning styles
• Subject and qualification choices
• University entry requirements
• Career interests
• Geographic preferences
• Financial and practical considerations
• Alternative pathways and contingency planning

Group sessions complement this individual support by introducing common themes, application processes and future-planning skills.

Subject choices can influence the options available to students later.

The Futures Counselling team works alongside subject teachers and pastoral leaders to help students and families understand the implications of different GCSE, A Level and vocational combinations.

Guidance considers both present strengths and possible future requirements. Students are encouraged to choose a balanced and appropriately challenging programme that keeps suitable pathways open while reflecting their genuine interests.

Explore the Secondary curriculum

Arbor supports applications to universities and other destinations in the UAE and around the world.

Students receive help to:

• Research institutions and courses
• Understand entry requirements
• Develop a balanced application list
• Manage application deadlines
• Prepare written applications
• Gather supporting evidence
• Prepare for interviews or admissions assessments
• Compare offers and make informed final choices
• Explore apprenticeships, vocational routes and employment

Families are kept informed throughout the process, while students are encouraged to take increasing ownership of their decisions and applications.

Students use Unifrog to explore pathways and build a record of their development.

Digital portfolios may include:

• Academic achievements
• Enrichment activities
• Leadership roles
• Service and community engagement
• Work experience
• Competitions and awards
• Skills and personal reflections
• University and career research

Maintaining this record helps students reflect upon their progress and draw upon relevant evidence when preparing future applications.

Arbor’s relationships with universities give students opportunities to learn directly from admissions representatives and explore a wide range of institutions.

The programme includes:

• University fairs
• Visits from universities in the UAE and overseas
• Subject-specific talks
• Application workshops
• Information about entry requirements and admissions processes
• Opportunities to explore different countries and education systems

These experiences allow students to ask informed questions and compare the courses, cultures and opportunities offered by different institutions.

Students are introduced to a broad range of careers and professional pathways through:

• Guest speakers
• Industry professionals
• Careers events
• Employer engagement
• Interest-based resources
• Competitions and external programmes
• Information about summer schools and enrichment opportunities
• Work experience

Resources and opportunities are shared according to students’ interests, whether these lie in STEM, the arts, sport, business, sustainability or other fields.

Work experience allows Sixth Form students to encounter professional environments and develop a clearer understanding of the workplace.

During their dedicated work-experience programme, students may:

• Observe how organisations and teams operate
• Explore a field connected with their interests
• Develop professional communication skills
• Apply personal and academic capabilities in a new context
• Reflect upon possible careers
• Build confidence and independence

Preparation and reflection help students make meaningful connections between their experience, future choices and wider personal development.

Parents and carers play an important role in helping young people navigate future decisions.

Arbor provides workshops, webinars and guidance to help families understand:

• GCSE and Sixth Form subject selection
• University research and applications
• Entry requirements
• Application timelines
• Apprenticeship and career pathways
• How to support teenagers without taking ownership of the process from them

Families can also discuss individual questions with the Futures Counselling team at appropriate points throughout the student’s journey.

Effective futures guidance is about more than securing a destination. It helps students develop the self-knowledge, independence and decision-making skills needed to navigate future opportunities and change.

By the time students leave Arbor, they should be equipped to explain their strengths, evaluate different pathways, make well-informed choices and take confident ownership of their next steps.