FUTURES COUNSELLING
Learning at Arbor
In this Section
Individual guidance helps students make informed choices about subjects, qualifications, university, careers and other pathways beyond school.
Arbor’s Futures Counselling programme supports students progressively throughout Secondary School. Students begin by considering their strengths and interests before moving on to GCSE and Sixth Form subject choices, university and career research, and applications for their chosen destinations.
There is no single route for every student. Guidance is tailored to individual interests, academic profiles and plans, whether students are considering university, further education, apprenticeships, employment or other pathways in the UAE or internationally.
An accredited and internationally connected service
Arbor is accredited by Times Higher Education and is a member of the International Association for College Admission Counseling and the National Career Development Association.
These affiliations support the professional and internationally informed university and careers guidance provided to Arbor students and families.
Guidance throughout Secondary School
Futures education begins well before students submit university applications. The focus develops as students progress through Secondary and the decisions they make become increasingly significant.
Students begin to identify their interests, strengths and values and learn about the relationship between subjects, skills and different careers. They encounter a broad range of occupations and industries, begin recording experiences and achievements, and receive guidance as they prepare to select their GCSE subjects.
As students progress through GCSE and IGCSE courses, guidance turns towards post-16 choices. Students investigate A Level and vocational pathways, research careers and begin to understand university entry requirements.
They also have opportunities to engage with employers and universities and begin developing individual academic and career plans.
Sixth Form students receive individual guidance as they prepare for university, further education, apprenticeships or employment.
Support may include:
- University and course research
- Application strategy and timelines
- Personal statement and written-application support
- Entry requirements and admissions tests
- Interview preparation
- Apprenticeship and employment pathways
- Decision-making following offers
- Preparation for the transition from school
Support is adapted to each student’s intended destination and individual circumstances.
One-to-one counselling gives students time to discuss their academic profile, interests and ambitions in detail.
Working with the Futures Counsellor, students develop academic and career plans that take account of their current attainment, subject choices, interests, university or career requirements and practical considerations. Plans can be reviewed and adapted as students progress and their ideas develop.
Group sessions complement this individual support by covering common themes, application processes and the skills involved in researching and planning future pathways.
Subject choices at GCSE and Sixth Form can affect the pathways 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 takes account of students’ academic strengths and interests alongside qualification requirements and possible university or career pathways. The aim is to help each student select an appropriately challenging programme while keeping suitable future options open.
Arbor supports applications to universities and other destinations in the UAE and internationally.
Students are guided through researching institutions and courses, understanding entry requirements, developing an appropriate application list and managing deadlines. They receive support with written applications, supporting evidence, interviews and admissions assessments, as well as comparing offers and making final decisions.
Guidance also covers apprenticeships, vocational routes and employment for students considering alternatives to university.
Families are kept informed throughout the process, while students take increasing responsibility for their own research, decisions and applications.
Students use Unifrog to research future pathways and maintain a record of their academic and wider development.
Their digital portfolios can record academic achievements, enrichment, leadership, service, work experience, competitions and awards alongside university and career research and personal reflections.
Maintaining this record gives students a useful evidence base to draw on when preparing applications and discussing their experience and achievements.
Arbor’s relationships with universities give students opportunities to meet admissions representatives and learn about institutions in the UAE and overseas.
University fairs, visiting speakers, subject-specific talks and application workshops allow students to ask questions about courses, entry requirements, admissions processes and different education systems.
These opportunities complement students’ individual research and help them compare institutions and courses before making application decisions.
Students encounter different careers and industries through guest speakers, employer engagement, careers events, competitions, external programmes and resources linked to their interests.
Opportunities are shared across areas including STEM, the arts, sport, business and sustainability, as well as information about summer schools and other external programmes.
Work experience provides Sixth Form students with direct experience of professional environments and different types of work.
During the Sixth Form work-experience programme, students spend time in professional settings related, where possible, to their interests and possible future pathways.
They can observe how organisations and teams operate, develop professional communication skills and apply their existing capabilities in a different setting.
Preparation before the placement and reflection afterwards help students consider what they have learned about the workplace, the sector and their own future choices.
Parents and carers are an important part of the decision-making process.
Arbor provides workshops, webinars and guidance covering GCSE and Sixth Form subject selection, university applications and entry requirements, application timelines, apprenticeships and career pathways.
Families can also discuss individual questions with the Futures Counselling team at appropriate stages of their child’s Secondary journey.
By the time students leave Arbor, the aim is for them to understand their strengths, research and evaluate different options, make informed decisions and take increasing responsibility for their next steps.
Futures Counselling supports that process throughout Secondary School, rather than beginning only when students are ready to submit applications.
Start planning for the future at Arbor
Visit Arbor to discover how our curriculum, personalised pathways and Futures Counselling programme prepare students for university, employment and life beyond school.
