Higher Education and Employment
Structured mentoring, career guidance, and pathways to apprenticeships, supporting the journey from school into fulfilling futures.
Our ‘SpringForward’ programme is a national mentoring programme that connects care-experienced young people with expert university and career guidance mentors from within the independent schools sector.
Working in partnership with Local Authorities, SpringForward offers free, tailored support to help care leavers explore, apply for, and succeed in ambitious post-school pathways.
SpringForward matches independent school mentor experts with young people to work 1:1 online over 5x 1 hour sessions during the pre-UCAS application process and 5x 1 hour 1:1 online sessions to support with the post-UCAS process and preparation for university.
“My mentor was very understanding and confident about what he knew and what he was talking about. He gave very good advice on where to look for the useful information and he also joined in to research for me too. He also spoke with my personal advisor about accommodation, and they have found good answers on what would be best for me to do.”
Refer a young person
If you work with care-experienced young people who could benefit from this support, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome referrals from Virtual Schools, sixth form colleges, social workers, and support workers. Submit a referral form here. SpringForward registration form
Join us as a mentor
Are you a member of staff from an independent school with experience and knowledge advising pupils on their next steps in education? Do you want to expand your skills and have a high social impact?
Email: admin@springforward.org.uk
Access to Financial Aid
Black Heart Foundation
Black Heart Foundation scholarship programme provides financial support to significant numbers of RNCSF alumni each year. Applications for this partnership are encouraged through the RNCSF alumni team directly
Leathersellers Student Grant Programme
This charitable foundation, linked to the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, offers financial support to RNCSF alumni who are care-experienced. In addition to funding, successful applicants are enrolled in a mentorship programme to help them thrive at university.
Rank Foundation School Leadership Award
Each year a number of RNCSF alumni secure a Rank Foundation Award which provides financial aid for living costs during higher education, along with leadership training, networking, and work placements in the not-for-profit sector.
Through partnerships with grant-giving charities, SpringBoarders access financial aid to support their higher education and promote professional and personal growth.
Alumni Support
After Year 13, SpringBoarders join a vibrant alumni network offering events, mentoring, leadership training, and higher‑education support.
Alumni help shape RNCSF’s future by mentoring students and inform programme decisions through participation in the Youth Advisory Panel.
Our alumni engagement team liaise with a range of corporate partners and individual mentors to provide access for alumni to bespoke mentoring support to shape their careers and employability preparations.
Email alumni@royalspringboard.org.uk for more information.
