The Year 11 students have been busy completing their post-16 applications, and after a recent survey in tutor it is great to see that 74% have now completed their applications, with many receiving offers based on their predicted grades, this can provide students a focus and goal as they continue to work hard in revision and lessons to reach their future destination! I encourage students to complete their applications by February half-term where possible, as this enables me to pick up students who have not yet applied and need more support and it also means students are less likely to miss out on a place at their preferred destination. Apprenticeship vacancies for September 2025 typically become more available from February/March, please email hayley.lawes@hessleacademy.com if your child needs any support with their post-16 applications. 

Our Year 11 Careers Week provided students with support, insights and preparation for their next steps as they took part in a variety of workshops and presentations. Following on from the career's week in July, students got involved in CV workshops, apprenticeship and college talks, post-18 University and sector insights including Law, Early Years & Childcare, Engineering, Construction, Business, Travel & Tourism, Animal Care and Hair & Beauty. Barclays delivered a useful session on money management, highlighting the importance of saving, as well as doing well in your GCSE's and future studies so that you can progress in a career that pays well; to be able to live the life you want and save for your future.  

BCD Travel delivered an interview tips workshop talking students through various interview scenarios and giving them some top tips to interview success. This was great preparation for their Mock Interviews which take place towards the end of January. During the career's week, students received the job profile for the role they are being interviewed for. We base this on the ‘Top 3 Jobs’ form they completed in tutor and then, as best we can, we match students up to a particular job role. There is always a buzz amongst the students during this session, with students excited about the prospect of being interviewed by a REAL employer! We spoke about some of the successes of last year with students now in apprenticeship roles and weekend jobs following networking at the event. Students are encouraged to research the company they’re being interviewed for and prepare to answer questions. As part of the process, we provide the employers with the students’ CVs which they have been working on during the career's weeks. All CVs must be emailed to cv@hessleacademy.com by Friday 24 January 2025. Support sessions are taking place in G18 on lunchtimes, days are shared in tutor and vary each week. 

The deadline for the Year 10 Work Experience Parental Consent forms has now passed and we are now working towards our next deadline of Friday 28 February for Placement Forms. If any student has misplaced their form, spare copies can be collected from their tutor. It is important to return forms as soon as possible so that the safeguarding and health & safety checks can be completed in time. If you are struggling, please speak to Tutors, Head of Year or Miss Lawes who may be able to provide support and potential contacts from previous years. 

As the Year 9 students prepare for choosing their KS4 options this half-term, there will be an opportunity for students who need additional support to discuss this further with a professional and sign up for a careers meeting with our External Careers Advisor, details will be shared in tutor time. We continue to work through the initial careers meetings with Year 10 students up to the summer. 

A group of our Year 9 students had a fantastic 3 days gaining an insight into the career of a firefighter with Humberside Fire & Rescue. Students learnt about the emergency services in the local area, the different types of incidents the fire and rescue service respond to, they experienced training in the fundamental skills required of a fire fighter, including operating in breathing apparatus (BA), search and rescue techniques, fire ground skills, road traffic collisions, first aid and fire and water safety. Students also LOVED meeting the fire dogs and seeing them in action!