As you are aware our Career’s program at Etone is an extensive package. Starting in Year 7 pupils are given the opportunities to develop their key employability skills, in the process earning their rewards and badges and begin to consider what they might like to do for their career.

Then throughout their time at Etone they will get the chance to explore those careers through; external visits, guest speakers, careers and enrichment days, workshops, performances to name just a few. During this time new interests and hobbies may arise as they engage with our extracurricular program, and this means even more careers are explored.

This was exactly the case on Friday 17th March as our pupils experienced the 2023 Careers Day. This day, held annually, complements our Careers Fair earlier on in the year during the Autumn term. As part of this day we were thrilled to welcome over 65 employers, speakers and advocates to run sessions across the school and provide pupils with an insight into some of the most exciting careers out there.

From midwifery to engineering pupils were enlightened to what kind of careers were in store across all different sectors, how to enter those careers and where they can access information.  The employers included 3M, Willmott Dixon, Severn Trent water, WBA, Crown, Department for Transport, Aspire in Arts, Ambulance service and other NHS departments, All of the armed forces, accountancy, lawyers and many more 

Trips to DeMontfort University in Leicester and the University of Birmingham took place where Year 10 and 11 pupils got the chance to explore university life, sit in a live lecture and explore living accommodation. Year 9 had the opportunity to get to learn more about their own families’ and friends’ careers with “Work Experience day” day.  Most of the year group gained a placement including businesses such as local primary schools, retail and admin work to name but a few. 

Over in the Sixth Form our Year 12 students enjoyed a visit to Loughborough University where they got to consider the very real prospect of university life in the not so distant future. Year 13 were suited and booted as they took part in mock interviews. Having previously been given the job briefs they had been preparing for the sessions individually. Running through the interviews with experts from those businesses applied for the pupils got a real chance to feel what an interview would be like and receive feedback on how to be even better.

Overall, the event was another resounding success for Mrs Barlow and Miss Sweet. We would like to thank all of our guests and universities who have supported us in our vision to provide the high-quality careers education all pupils deserve.