CAREERS NEWSLETTER Introductory Edition · September 2026
KINDNESS · CONNECTION · RESPONSIBILITY · FORWARD-THINKING
WELCOME
A Message from the Careers Department At St Catherine's, we want every pupil to leave us with the confidence, independence and self-belief to embrace the opportunities ahead and make a positive contribution to society. Research has proven that a strong careers education can play an important role in preparing students for the future, helping them to understand their strengths, explore their interests and aspirations and make informed decisions about their futures. Our careers programme at St Catherine’s supports pupils at every stage of their journey, from broadening horizons and inspiring ambition in the younger years to providing personalised guidance for university, apprenticeship and career pathways in Sixth Form. Above all, careers education encourages our pupils to be curious, reflective and ambitious, equipping them with the employability skills, knowledge and confidence to flourish both during their time at St Catherine's and beyond.
WIDER PROGRAMME
Careers at St Catherine's Our careers programme is structured to ensure that there is meaningful support and inspiration for every pupil, from Year U3 to Year U6. Throughout their time at St Catherine's, pupils benefit from:
● Careers and futures guidance
● Work experience opportunities
● Encounters with employers and industry professionals
● University and apprenticeship support & guidance
● Parent and alumnae networking opportunities ● Employability skills development
● Tailored support at key transition & decision points ● Careers research and planning through Unifrog
The programme extends to our Careers Ideas programme in the Prep School and continues to support to our alumnae through the St Catherine’s Association with its network of over 8,000 members.
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FUTURES PROGRAMME
St Catherine’s Future Ready programme The vision for the Future Ready Programme is that girls are confident to think boldly and lead with purpose. The aim of the St Catherine’s Future Ready Programme is to ensure that pupils are encouraged to belong, to grow and to shape their future. Futures: Careers is an integral part of this programme, from U3 through to U6. Through taught lessons, lectures and experiences, pupils develop employability skills alongside their academic learning. Throughout the programme, pupils are encouraged to reflect on their experiences through the Unifrog competencies.
Competencies include:
Communication
Teamwork
Emotional Intelligence
Confidence
Resilience
Digital literacy
Critical thinking
Time management/organisation
Leadership
Problem solving
UNIFROG
Unifrog Now Available to All Pupils We are very excited to confirm that by half term all Senior School pupils will have access to Unifrog, the online careers and destinations platform. Unifrog enables pupils to:
Explore thousands of career pathways
Research UK and international universities
Investigate apprenticeships and alternative pathways
Complete skills and personality profiling
Record achievements and experiences
Develop career action plans
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WORK EXPERIENCE
WORK EXPERIENCE Work experience plays a vital role in helping students bridge the gap between education and the workplace. Through both in-person placements and virtual opportunities, students develop confidence, independence and essential employability skills while exploring careers that match their interests and aspirations. In-person work experience offers valuable first-hand insight into professional environments and workplace expectations, while virtual experiences provide access to a wider range of organisations and sectors that may not otherwise be available locally. Together, these opportunities help students make informed decisions about their future and better understand the skills and qualities employers value. The St Catherine’s Work Experience Booklet contains useful guidance and a range of valuable links to help students find and make the most of both in-person and virtual opportunities. Click on the booklet to read.
COMMUNITY
Our Association Community Makes the Difference Our thriving community of parents, alumnae and professional contacts helps bring careers education to life for pupils. Through this network we can offer:
Career insight talks
University guidance
Mentoring opportunities
Industry expertise
Networking events — including our London Network
Work experience connections
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KINDNESS · CONNECTION · RESPONSIBILITY · FORWARD-THINKING
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PA R E N T S
How You Can Support Careers Education at St Catherine’s Small Conversations Make a Big Difference
Talk about your own career journey
Discuss future interests and aspirations
Explore careers together on Unifrog
Encourage attendance at careers events
Share professional insights and experiences
Get Involved We are always delighted to hear from parents who may be able to contribute through:
Speaking about their career sector
Speaking about their career journey
Offering industry insight
Providing workplace visits
Supporting mentoring initiatives
Sharing work experience opportunities
Please contact the Careers Department if you would like to get involved. STAY CONNECTED
LinkedIn The St Catherine's LinkedIn account provides a virtual network for our alumnae, parents and staff, as well as our Sixth Form students. Please connect with us by following our LinkedIn account. Click on the icon to follow the link.
CON TA CT
Catherine Taylor Director of Careers
Email catherine.taylor@stcatherines.info Phone 01483 899814
ST CATHERINE'S BRAMLEY
KINDNESS · CONNECTION · RESPONSIBILITY · FORWARD-THINKING
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