Jeremy Forrester
University College Counsellor
Cobham
Summary
Dynamic and student-focused leader in international college counselling with over 10 years of experience guiding students through the complex landscape of global university admissions. Currently serving as Lead College Counsellor at ACS Cobham, overseeing a team of five. Passionate about personalised student support, team cohesion, and future-focused strategy. Recognised for innovations in process optimisation, career readiness, and data-driven decision-making. Adept at building meaningful relationships with families, faculty, and university representatives across continents. Regularly organize a 100+ International University Fair, mini-fairs and
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of College Counsellor
ACS International School
Cobham, Surrey
08.2019 - Current
- Led a team of four counsellors, managing departmental strategy, student allocation, staff PD, and parent engagement
- Developed and implemented a monthly communications plan, a systematic recommendation letter process, and frameworks for college essay writing across the team
- Oversaw annual events such as the International University Fair, Oxbridge assessments, and regular parent presentation evenings
- Created a structured approach to career guidance using Morrisby and Gatsby benchmarks, while advocating for future expansion into Level 6 CDI qualifications
- Advocated for student outcomes by engaging with university representatives, aligning curriculum pathways with international admission trends, and updating institutional policy for UK equivalency issues
- Partnered with parents to communicate realistic yet aspirational expectations and foster supportive stakeholdership within the university application process.
- Strengthened relationships with local and international partners to provide valuable internships, university summer school engagement and career exploration for students.
- Designed and maintained the college counselling Schoology platform and university resources bank, including College Counselling Youtube channel
- New Teacher Orientation Lead 2020 – 2024
University Counsellor & Head of Science
Alcanta International College
Guangzhou
08.2014 - 08.2017
- Supported students in applying to global institutions with a particular focus on the UK, US, and Asia
- Delivered workshops on university applications, initiated data tracking for student outcomes, and helped develop holistic support systems
- Student-centered approach to university and careers exploration process, including university visits
- Managed the science department and taught IBDP Psychology, IBDP Chemistry, and ICT
Previous Roles in the UK, China, and Indonesia
Multiple Schools
01.2007 - 01.2014
- Schools: King’s School, Winchester (UK), British School of Guangzhou (China); Green Oasis, Shenzhen (China); Surabaya European School (Indonesia); and Balksbury School (UK)
- Held key pastoral and academic positions including: Head of Science (IB School), Prefect Coordinator, Student Council Coordinator
- Subject Coordinator for Science & ICT
- New Teacher and Student Orientation Lead
- Delivered IB Chemistry and Psychology, IGCSE and MYP Science, ICT IGCSE, PE, Primary school subjects for Year 5 and 6, across multiple international schools in Indonesia, China, and the UK,.
Education
PGCE - Primary and ICT
BSc - Biochemistry
BA (Hons) - Management
TEFL Certificate - 180 Hours
IBDP Certificates - Chemistry (Category 2), Psychology (Category 1)
The Counsellor’s Accreditation Programme - undefined
College Counselling Certificate - undefined
Skills
Strategic Leadership
Team Management
International University Applications
Student Coaching
Motivation Frameworks
Engagement Frameworks
Teacher Training
Application Support
Platform Expertise
Projects And Initiatives
- Initiated and developed Grade 11 Process Framework for Counsellor Use.
- Developed a structured meeting approach for department during Grade 11 students, including integration of AI.
- Introduced a unified essay brainstorming toolkit for department
- Developed and led College Essay and Personal Statement Workshops.
- Coordinated department-wide adoption of the OSKAR coaching model.
- Redesigned Teacher Recommendation System.
- Advocated for career provision expansion.
- Coordination of Oxbridge Testing & Interview Prep.
- Guided Concourse/Match platform integration for under-engaged students.
- Introduced and implemented policy discussions around AI in the university application process.
- Annual Application Trends & Matriculation Reports.
- International University Fairs
University Visits Conferences Professional Development
- CIS Forum Regular Attendee
- IACAC Conference Regular Attendee
- University Tours across US, Canada, UK, Europe including bus tours in: Florida, New York, Boston, Ontario, Montreal, The Big 3 in The Netherlands.
- Recent Fly-Ins to: St. Louis, Madrid (Spain), Glion & Les Roches (Switzerland and Spain), ESADE (Spain), Temple University Rome (Italy), NYU Abu Dhabi, plus local visits to numerous UK universities, from niche small universities to large highly selective Public Universities.
- PD Workshops on AI in Admissions, Careers Counselling, Global Application Trends
Languages And International Experience
Lived in: UK, China, Indonesia, Canada, The Netherlands
Languages: Fluent English, Basic Bahasa Indonesia, Basic Mandarin Chinese, Conversational Dutch.
Timeline
Head of College Counsellor - ACS International School
08.2019 - Current
University Counsellor & Head of Science - Alcanta International College
08.2014 - 08.2017
Previous Roles in the UK, China, and Indonesia - Multiple Schools
01.2007 - 01.2014
University of Nottingham - BSc, Biochemistry
Bucks New University - BA (Hons), Management
- TEFL Certificate, 180 Hours
- IBDP Certificates, Chemistry (Category 2), Psychology (Category 1)
Times Higher Education & BMI - The Counsellor’s Accreditation Programme,
UC San Diego - College Counselling Certificate,
Bath Spa University - PGCE, Primary and ICT