Careers Spring Edition Newsletter 2025
Careers Fair
40 businesses, organisations, further education and training providers joined us at the careers fair last term and interacted with over 1,300 students from Year 9 to Year 13.
It was an ideal platform for students to engage and communicate with companies to support with considering their next steps after secondary and sixth form.
We look forward to inviting visitors back again in 2026, if you work for a business or organisation and feel you could share some interesting and relevant information with our students, please contact the careers team at [email protected]
Options Taster Week – Year 9
Our year 9 students enjoyed sampling a range of subjects this term as part of their Options taster Week. They were able to experience lessons in subjects they have never studied before such as the Cambridge National in Sport Science, BTEC Health and Social Care, GCSE Business Studies and GCSE Classics. Students found this week invaluable in helping them to make informed decisions about future pathways.
Keble College
Fifteen of our high achieving students enjoyed a trip to Oxford Universities Keble College in February.
It was a fantastic opportunity for our academically aspiring and intellectually ambitious students to get a feel for university life at one of the largest colleges that makes up Oxford University.
Students had a tour of the campus, took part in a critical thinking and debating session and enjoyed lunch in the breath-taking dining hall that the film crew of Harry Potter were hoping to use in ‘The Great Hall’ scenes.
Keele University
A number of our 6th form law and criminology students visited Keele University in March.
The trip was arranged to show students what University life at Keele was like and gave them the opportunity to attend and partake in a number of lectures and seminars.
The sessions included topics “What is Crime? Who is a Criminal?” and information from professors on studying Law and Criminology at the University was shared with students.
National Careers Week
We had a fantastic National Careers Week last term with representatives from Halesowen College, Dudley College, SCL Training and the Careers Development Institute coming into Forge to inform our students about apprenticeships, T-levels and other career pathways.
All year groups got to discover what it took to be a:
Y7 – Chemical technician, Y8 – Biotechnologist, Y9 – Ecologist, Y10 – Armed forces personnel, Y11 – Audiologist, Y12 – Broadcast journalist, Y13 – Early years practitioner with a series of spotlights on these careers!
Haden Hill Fire Station, written by Olivia-Rose Whittaker
It’s been a busy week in the careers department as the year 10 students have been going to their chosen work experience such as schools, accountants, wildlife centres, and more. Work experience creates an understanding for the students of the world of work and be inspired to consider different careers in the future.
On Wednesday 9th April students on work experience from forge including myself visited Haden cross fire station. The people showed us the uniform room and the different helmets that signify rank and role within a fire department. Next, we went to the lecture room to talk about what qualifications you have to get to become a firefighter and how many fires they had to put out. After that we went to the yard and they used hydraulic rescue tools that cut through metal structures to extricate trapped victims. They also showed a bag with everything just in case like a first aid bag, an oxygen pump for adults and babies.
Work Experience
281 of our Year 10 students took part in work experience placements for the week from the 7th to 11th April. Placements varied from primary schools to conservation centres, car mechanics to accountants and equestrian centres to care homes.
Work Experience is an invaluable opportunity for our students to help them learn about the world of work and what inspires and motivates them.
It helps build their confidence and shapes their future career aspirations.
We received some wonderful feedback from employers:
For one Forge student an Employer stated: “During his week-long placement, the student worked closely with the Finance and Administrative Assistant and proved to be an outstanding addition to the team. We would gladly welcome him back in any professional capacity.”
Another reported: “They have shown a consistently professional attitude throughout their time here. Their punctuality has been excellent, and they have arrived appropriately dressed and well-prepared each day.
They have engaged well with the team, demonstrated a willingness to learn, and have taken initiative where appropriate and we’ve been glad to have them with us.”
Year 11’s Destination & Exams
The careers team have been busy supporting our Year 11 students to ensure they have applied and accepted their conditional offers for 6th forms, colleges, apprenticeships and training.
A-levels are still a popular choice with a number of our students, followed by vocational qualifications. Some of our students have secured apprenticeships in a number of industry sectors including travel and tourism, engineering, carpentry and construction.
Year 11’s are now sitting their exams and are busy revising, here are some top tips on how to support your young person to reduce stress during exam season:
1 – Prioritise Self-Care:
- Sleep: Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep each night, especially the nights before exams, as it helps with memory and focus.
- Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, which can help clear your head and boost your mood.
- Healthy Diet: Eat nutritious meals to fuel your body and brain.
2. Effective Revision:
- Create a Realistic Timetable: Break down your revision into manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Use Active Revision Techniques: Employ methods like flashcards, mind maps, and practice questions.
- Revise Regularly: Spread out your revision sessions to improve retention.
3. Mindfulness and Relaxation:
- Practice Deep Breathing and Meditation: These techniques can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety.
- Yoga and Stretching: Incorporating physical movement can also help alleviate stress.
4. Social Support:
- Talk to Trusted Individuals: Connect with friends, family, teachers, or counsellors to share your feelings and concerns.
- Join Study Groups: Collaborating with others can make revision more enjoyable and supportive.
5. Manage Expectations:
- Focus on What You Can Control: Instead of dwelling on things you can’t control (like the exam content), focus on your preparation and effort.
- Don’t Compare Yourself to Others: Everyone learns and progresses at their own pace.
6. Other Tips:
Get Organized: Ensure you have all your materials ready for exams the night before.
Take Breaks: Regular breaks during revision can help prevent burnout.
Reward Yourself: Celebrate your achievements and acknowledge your efforts.
Coming Up!
Inspiring the Black Country Careers Fair – June 2025
Mock Interview Event – July 2025
Quality in Careers Standard assessment – July 2025
HE and employability week for Y12 – June 2025
Y12 Work experience – July 2025
Useful Information
