Careers and Higher Education team

We offer personalised guidance from Careers Development Institute (CDI) accredited advisers from when you apply until 3 years after you graduate. Our Careers and Higher Education support complements your academic goals and supports your future career aspirations. 

• Benefit from specialist advice on applying to university, apprenticeships, professional internships and gap year schemes
• Explore future education and career aspirations through experential learning and self-reflection
• Boost your professional skills including CV writing, presentation and interview skills

Our Careers and Higher Education team are listed below:

Helen Forey – Head of University and Careers Counselling

The St Clare’s University and Career Counselling Service is led by Helen Forey. With two full-time colleagues she supports St Clare’s students on both campuses in all aspects of global university applications and career management skills.

Helen studied modern languages at the Universities of Oxford, Cardiff, Passau and Champagne-Ardenne before embarking on a 15-year career in editorial and creative marketing roles in the international classical music industry. Returning to education in 2011, she holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Development and Coaching Studies from the University of Warwick, is a member of the Career Development Institute and the International Association of College Admission Counsellors, and serves on the IBO’s University and Career Counsellor Advisory Group.

In her free time she enjoys Italian classes and walking in the Welsh countryside where she grew up.

Emily Spriggs – University and Careers Counsellor

Emily joined St Clare’s in 2022 as a Trainee Careers and Higher Education Adviser and has since completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Career Development Work at the University of Warwick whilst working with us. Emily supports students on our IB world school campus with university applications and career exploration, as well as the organisation of career-related events. Emily also has key responsibility for the Pre-IB cohort.

Emily studied Psychology for her undergraduate degree at the University of Portsmouth. She has previously worked in the NHS supporting the delivery of psychological interventions for people with chronic health conditions and has experience working in a special educational needs school supporting children with learning difficulties.

In her spare time, she enjoys travelling around the world, hiking in the Lake District, and playing netball for her local team.

Meredith McDill – University and Careers Counsellor

Meredith McDill joins St Clare’s after decades of experience in both university admissions/enrolment management and university counselling. Most recently, she spent three years as a University Counsellor at Branksome Hall School in Toronto, Canada, and prior to that she served as an international admissions officer at Smith College in Massachusetts, USA. She and her husband are happy to be back in the UK after having met here 35 years ago, and she enjoys biking, all manner of outdoor recreation and international travel.