Careers Blog - Term 3A

Last half-term seemed to fly by, packed with a wide range of exciting careers and enterprise activities. We rounded off the term with our annual Year 9 Enterprise Day, an event inspired by Dragons' Den that helps students develop their creativity, confidence, communication and teamwork skills. This year's event began with an inspiring talk from Mr Shepherd, who shared how he turned his passion for music into a successful DJ business. He spoke honestly about his journey, explaining that things do not always go to plan, but with determination, resilience and passion, it is possible to achieve your goals. He also reminded students that it is never too late to start a business or pursue an ambition. We were also delighted to hear from Taylor, one of our Sixth Form students, who is currently studying Economics and Business at A-level and spoke about her experiences and future aspirations. Students then worked in teams to develop and pitch their own subscription box business ideas, with the top ten teams progressing to the final. These finalists presented their concepts to a panel of guest judges, showcasing impressive levels of innovation, confidence and entrepreneurial thinking. This year, we were delighted to welcome our new Headteacher, Mr Nixon, to the judging panel, alongside Sophie, owner of Imperia Beauty. Their valuable feedback and industry insight helped make the competition even more memorable for our students. Congratulations to our winning teams, whose creativity, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit truly impressed the judges.

Continuing our exciting programme of KS3 careers events, we also hosted our annual Year 8 Ambition Day. This event is designed to broaden students' horizons by introducing them to a wide range of career pathways, opportunities and post-16 options. We welcomed a variety of employers, education providers and training organisations into school to deliver engaging workshops, giving students valuable insight into different industries and professions. Following the success of last year's challenge, Cranswick Foods returned to set students an exciting task as part of their interactive workshop. Students were challenged to design and market a new meat product inspired by the FIFA World Cup 2026, with prizes awarded to the most innovative and creative teams. As part of the day's carousel of activities, students also worked with representatives from East Riding College, HETA, Humber Outreach Programme, BCD Travel, Camps International, Consortium Sixth Form, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Siemens Gamesa and GEV Wind Power. Through a combination of practical activities, challenges and Q&A sessions, students gained a real understanding of the diverse range of careers available to them, as well as the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in different sectors.

As part of our wider careers and employability provision, KS3 students have been taking part in the Curiosity Programme, a fantastic initiative designed to develop research skills, creativity and real-world experience. Students recently visited the Hull History Centre, where they engaged with archivists and learned how historical records are preserved and used in professional settings. They have also taken on a range of volunteering roles, acting as researchers, scriptwriters and filmmakers as they work towards producing content to celebrate the 100-year centenary of Hessle High School. This project has provided students with valuable insight into careers within heritage, media and research, while also developing key skills such as teamwork, communication and critical thinking.

Our Year 10 Careers Week will take place over seven days in July and promises to be another exciting opportunity for students to explore their future pathways. Building on the success of previous years, the programme will include Work Experience, our Aspirational Dinner, post-16 provider sessions, industry sector talks and CV workshops. Students have been able to choose from a range of activities and sessions, with each student receiving a personalised timetable at the start of the week. To help students feel confident and prepared, colleagues from the Humber Outreach Programme (HOP) and I will be delivering assemblies focussing on how to make the most of the opportunities available. Ahead of their Work Experience placement, students will receive a detailed Student Information Sheet outlining important information such as start and finish times, lunch arrangements, a summary of expected tasks, dress code requirements and employer contact details. Students are also encouraged to contact their placement provider one to two weeks in advance to introduce themselves, confirm arrangements and ensure everything is in place before their placement begins.

Careers Guidance Interviews are now underway with our Year 12 Sixth Form students, providing an opportunity to discuss their aspirations and plans beyond the age of 18. This is an important transition point, with many students beginning to make significant decisions about university, apprenticeships, employment and other future pathways. To support them throughout this process, students have access to weekly tutor sessions, university visits and a range of enrichment opportunities, including the upcoming UCAS Convention, ensuring they are well informed and confident in their next steps.

Reminder of upcoming events/activities this half-term: 

Sixth Form Induction – 23 & 24 June 2026

Year 12 UCAS Convention – 19 June 2026

Y7 & 8 STEM Roadshow – Friday 17 July 2026

Year 10 Careers Week – w/c 29 & 6 July 2026

Year 10 Work Experience – 1, 2 & 3 July 2026

Year 10 Aspirational Dinner – Tuesday 7 July 2026

Year 6 Induction Event – 8, 9 & 10 July 2026

Year 12 Work Experience – w/c 13 July 2026

Miss Lawes 

Careers Leader 