Radnor Students Explore Future Pathways at Careers Networking Event
Radnor House marked National Careers Week with its annual Careers Networking Event – one of the highlights of the school’s Futures Programme and an important opportunity for students to explore life beyond school.
The event forms part of Radnor’s wider Futures Programme, which supports students in becoming confident, future-ready individuals. Through regular careers sessions during form time, access to the Unifrog destinations platform, psychometric testing in Year 12 and a range of practical initiatives including CV writing workshops and UCAS guidance sessions, the programme provides students with ongoing opportunities to explore their interests, develop key skills and prepare for life beyond Radnor.
More than 130 students from Years 10 to 13 attended the event, meeting with over 30 exhibitors drawn from our parent community, alumni network and external partners such as IBM, PwC, Sky Sports, NHS, Gordon Murray Group, Leading Education, Barclays, Jain Global to name a few. The evening provided students with the opportunity to speak directly with professionals from a wide range of industries, helping them gain valuable insights into different career pathways and the skills required to succeed.
A particularly special aspect of the event was welcoming back two Radnor alumni, Amy Lockwood and Nicole Damonte who shared their own academic journeys and career experiences with current students. Their presence highlighted the diverse routes that Radnor students can pursue after leaving school and offered a relatable perspective for those considering their next steps.
Amy Lockwood is an actor, singer and writer, and a former Radnor House student. She graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) with a First-Class Honours degree in BA Acting and has since toured the UK with the award-winning theatre company Illyria.
Nicole Damonte is a Diagnostic Radiographer at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, based at the Princess Royal University Hospital. In her role she delivers diagnostic imaging across X-ray, theatre and emergency settings, supporting fast and accurate clinical decision-making. Nicole graduated from the University of Exeter with a degree in Diagnostic Radiography and has since worked across several NHS hospitals, gaining experience in busy acute environments.
Throughout the evening, exhibitors represented an impressive range of sectors, including finance, engineering, media, sport and STEM industries. Many brought fascinating displays and demonstrations to help bring their professions to life for students, including bones and coral from scientific fields and even a supercar engine, sparking curiosity and conversation among attendees. Employers commented positively on the professionalism and enthusiasm of Radnor students, noting how confidently they engaged in conversation and asked thoughtful questions.
Among the exhibitors was Munchkin Sports, who showcased a variety of holiday work opportunities. Opportunities such as holiday work provide young people with valuable experience and help them develop key workplace skills including teamwork, planning and problem-solving.
As part of the evening, Year 11, 12 and 13 students also had the opportunity to take part in mock interviews with AMJ Careers. These sessions allowed students to practise articulating their achievements, reflecting on their academic and co-curricular experiences and developing confidence in a professional interview setting. Anna Jones from AMJ Careers praised the students for their ability to communicate clearly and thoughtfully about their experiences and aspirations.
In addition to the networking opportunities, students attended talks in the Adam Room, where guest speakers Mrs Esther Wright, Mr Patrick Onu and Mr Morgan Banham-Wright shared personal insights into their respective career journeys, the challenges they had encountered and the lessons they had learned along the way. These sessions gave students a deeper understanding of the realities of different professions and encouraged them to think about the skills and qualities that underpin long-term success.
The event received extremely positive feedback from students, many of whom valued the opportunity to speak directly with professionals and gain a clearer picture of potential career pathways.
One Year 13 student commented on the “excellent quality of the event and exhibitors”, while another student highlighted the “good variety of different careers represented.”
A Year 11 student reflected on how valuable the conversations had been:
"It was great to talk to lots of the exhibitors, including Sky Sports and representatives from other industries. Being able to speak to people directly about their careers was really interesting and helpful."
Events such as this play an important role in preparing Radnor students for life beyond school. By connecting students with professionals, alumni and members of the wider Radnor community, the Careers Networking Evening helps students build confidence, broaden their understanding of different industries and begin to shape their future aspirations.
Radnor House is extremely grateful to all the parents, alumni and speakers who generously gave their time to support the event and inspire the next generation.
Parents and professionals interested in contributing to future careers events or becoming part of the Radnor Futures Programme are warmly encouraged to contact the school to get involved – please email nbrice@radnor-sevenoaks.org
