On Tuesday 8th April, a group of our enthusiastic Year 7 pupils from Etone College visited the University of Leicester to take part in a fascinating and inspiring day all about sustainability. The visit offered a valuable insight into environmental issues, university life, and even some local history.

Upon arrival, pupils were warmly welcomed by university staff and given a quick overview of the day ahead. The main activities were split into a carousel of three sessions, giving pupils the opportunity to learn, explore, and get hands-on with ideas for a greener future.

The first session dove into key environmental topics such as carbon footprints, global warming, sustainability, climate, and the greenhouse effect. Pupils discussed what these terms mean and explored how human actions are impacting the planet. They also explored positive solutions and suggestions, such as:

• Planting trees to offset carbon emissions
• Creating recycled art pieces to reduce waste
• Using renewable energy, like the example of Keele University’s wind farm, which generates 30–40% of its energy sustainably

Etone College pupils were the first to correctly sequence the carbon footprint of various foods that our speaker has asked numerous schools in his What is Sustainability session.

The second session explored the importance of biodiversity and the balance of ecosystems. Pupils learnt about how the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park dramatically restored its environment, a great example of how carefully considered actions can benefit nature.

To support biodiversity closer to home, pupils were full of ideas, including:

• Building bug hotels

• Installing solar panels
• Creating small water fountains for local wildlife
• Starting gardening clubs
• Making bird feeders
• And even planting their own bulbs to contribute to the local ecosystem

We all enjoyed an alfresco lunch in the University grounds, just next to where our pupils had planted their bulbs, basking in the gloriously sunny day. They gained a taste of the independence that University pupils experience, the ability to select their venue to have lunch and where to work.

The final part of the day was a guided tour of the University of Leicester campus. Pupils had the chance to explore the grounds, see the learning spaces, and experience a taste of what university life is like. A highlight of the tour was seeing the carving of Sir David Attenborough and his brother, Lord Richard Attenborough, embedded into the walls of the house where they lived as children – a wonderful tribute to two iconic figures who grew up in Leicester and made a significant impact on both science and the arts.

Pupils also had the opportunity to hear from a current third-year student, who shared their experiences of applying to university, moving away from home, and what daily life is really like for a student. It was an inspiring and informative talk that sparked lots of curiosity about the future.

Our Year 7s returned to school full of excitement and new ideas. The trip was not only educational but also empowering, showing pupils that even small changes can help make a big difference to the world around us.

A huge thank you to the University of Leicester for hosting such a meaningful day and to the event organiser and our wonderful ambassadors for being so complimentary of our wonderful pupils and looking after us all day. We can’t wait to see how our pupils bring their sustainable ideas to life back at school!

On April 3rd 2025, all students in year 7,8,9 and 10 at Etone College took part in our annual Careers day event.  This forms part of the Statutory Careers programme.  During this time there were many exciting and informative experiences, for example, NHS services, Engineering challenges, STEM activities and visits to universities & the college. 

All of the activities  were themed around the careers opportunities available in the various industries attending the day and encompassed our employability skills 

Year 7 enjoyed sessions with 

Jaguar Land rover and CIPS engineering interactive sessions 

HMRC, looking at tax 

Stepnall construction, practical sessions looking at building problems 

The Civil service, practical session looking at the role of the civil service 

Leicester University, this session looked at raising aspirations and what university life looks like 

Role models talks, talks from role modes working in sports and procurement 

Year 8 enjoyed sessions with 

Hobra Myra, engineering

Jaguar Land rover and CIPS engineering

HMRC looking at tax 

Army, roles within the armed forces 

Police, practical task examining roles in the police force 

Lovetts estate agents, what are the roles of an estate agent 

Role models talks, talks from role modes working in sports and procurement 

Year 9 students had the opportunity to attend work experience and we have received feedback from companies outlining how well our students fitted into the working environment.  

Year 10 enjoyed experiences with 

NWSLC, Trip and a tour 

Role Models talks from role modes working in sports and procurement 

Gloucester University this session looked at raising aspirations and what university life looks like 

Ask, how to apply for jobs and apprenticeships 

Rise, looking at ways to adapt your skills for the world of work 

On careers day, 46 Year 10 pupils had the opportunity to visit Keele University. Alongside a tour of one of Britain’s largest campuses,

Pupils spent their morning engaged in a myth busting session introducing the university experience. 

After a lunch sitting in the sunshine, pupils also took on the challenge to create and then pitch an idea for a new degree or society in a Dragon’s Den session.  A huge array of activities were pitched from degrees in therapy, food design and real estate to societies focused on onions, niche music, and badminton. The Social Activism society pitch won the session so a huge well done to Jameela, Samruddhi, Yousuf, LaCie, and Adeena won a box of chocolates and employability points. 

Etone pupils really enjoyed the trip with most saying it inspired them to study a degree in the future. 

On April 3rd 2025, all students in year 7,8,9 and 10 at Etone College are taking part in our annual Careers day event.  This forms part of the Statutory Careers programme.  During this time there will be many exciting and informative experiences, for example, team building with HS2, NHS services, Engineering challenges, STEM activities and visits to universities & colleges will take place. 

All of the activities will be themed around the careers opportunities available in the various industries attending the day.

An overview of the planned activities can be found below:

We are really looking forward to the opportunity to have such an event in school and look forward to engaging the students in future careers and other opportunities.

As you are aware we hold our annual Careers Day as part of our extensive careers program at Etone College. 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 22nd 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 accountancy to nursing 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 Alcema, Armstrongs, 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 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.

NCS 2023 is on on Friday 8th March! This is your chance to get out into the world with your mates and build skills for work and life. You’ll be taking part in fun challenges, making new friends, and gaining confidence and independence along the way.

NCS away from home experiences are available across the country. Each experience is 5 days and 4 nights, and includes a variety of activities centred around one of three themes: LIVE IT, BOSS IT, or CHANGE IT. The experiences will boost your CV and college or university applications, highlighting the broader range of skills you’ve gained to employers and higher education providers.

This year places are limited more than ever!

To find out more or how to sign up, check out the NCS leaflet attached to this email or visit the NCS website https://wearencs.com/head-away-from-home to secure a place today!

The NCS team will be coming into Etone College to present the away from home opportunities to you on Friday 8^th March. We strongly encourage youto discuss this opportunity with your friends and parents/guardians beforehand so you’re ready to express your interest on the day and don’t miss out.

Parent pack: DOWNLOAD

It's National Careers Week 4-11 March 2024! Download your free copy of The Parents' Guide to National Careers Week, created in partnership with National Careers Week, outlining all vocational options after GCSE and sixth form/college

Download a copy HERE

Our Year 8 Careers Ambassadors worked alongside the Warwickshire Careers Hub last week.  They completed sessions looking at Employability Skills, and different qualifications available to support careers.  As a result the Careers Hub will be using Etone as a case study to show other schools in the area the benefits of have a team of careers ambassadors.  We also hope to be working with the hub in the future to further enhance the skills of our ambassadors. This is an intrinsically important aspect of our careers provision and something we are proud to boast about. With being one of the only providers in the area with the Quality in Careers Standard marque this is something that is integral to everything we do.

A big well done to our Career Ambassadors.

On Thursday Etone was abuzz with excitement as we opened the doors for our annual Careers Fair. This event is one of the pillars that make up our award winning Careers and Personal Development curriculum. 

Across their time at Etone our pupils develop the soft and hard skills through a full program of activities including; in the classroom, trips to prestigious next steps and future work places and  advice and support from fully qualified careers counsellors. 

Key to the success of the curriculum is our Careers Fair, where this year a record 43 organisations were represented as they provided pupils with advice and guidance to their next steps.

Before the event each year group had the chance to see who would be taking part so they could plan their route for potential careers. Our KS3 pupils had the chance to complete their careers treasure hunt to be in with a chance to win prizes, which made their time at the fair, all the more precious.

Overall the event was a major success and whilst the pupils and staff appreciated the freebies and prizes given out, the information our pupils received is ultimately the most valuable contribution to our attendees and we sincerely thank them for their support. Check our the list of attendees here: