Careers Summer Edition Newsletter 2025

#WeWillCare

Years 7 to 10 students participated in the #WeWillCare Project in May. This included two trips to visit the elderly in a residential setting in the local area as part of the Youth Social Action campaigns that Ormiston Academies Trust run. 

Students represented the school very well and made some wonderful inter-generational links with one of our most vulnerable groups in society. During the event, students FORGE’d connections with the older community group members and collected treasured memories, which will be presented to them at a special celebration afternoon later in the year. 

This was also a great opportunity for students who may have an interest in the health and social care sector in the future to have exposure to a residential care home setting and their residents. 

Forward Thinking

Students in Year 8 visited the University of Birmingham in June to take part in the Forward Thinking programme. Selected students took part in a range of on-campus activities, listened to a talk from a previous Forward Thinking student and enjoyed a presentation from a very engaging motivational lecturer.  

These students will continue to make visits to the University until they reach Year 11 and will receive one to one mentoring support from undergraduates in school, and access information and advice materials to support the programme. The aim is to support students to become clearer about their future education and career path, which should in turn motivate them to achieve in school, so they are able to reach their full potential.  

University of Birmingham Year 9

Students in Year 9 had the opportunity to visit the University of Birmingham on a sunny day in June and get a feel for university life. Ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions and one of the 24 Russell Group Universities in the country, University of Birmingham welcomes students from all types of schools and educational backgrounds.  

Students found out about what life is like at University by hearing from some student ambassadors and took part in a fun and physical science lecture as well as taking a guided tour of the campus and facilities. 

All students can find out about entry requirements, courses and locations of Universities by visiting: Choose your future | UCAS and can visit the careers office for more information. 

The Big Bang Fair

Year 7 students enjoyed a visit to The Big Bang Fair at the NEC, Birmingham in June. Science and engineering careers were brought to life with hand-on activities, experiments and workshops at the UK’s biggest celebration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) for schools. 

Students had the opportunity to learn about design and innovation, energy and transport, environment and sustainability, health and well being and technology and AI. 

Careers in STEM are in high demand and are expected to continue to grow in need and opportunities. 

Women in Engineering

A group of Year 8 students enjoyed a visit to the ‘Women in Engineering’ Day at Birmingham City University on Friday 20th June. The event took place at Millenium Point in Birmingham City Centre and involved working as part of a team to use engineering skills to solve real life problems.  

Students also had the opportunity to meet inspiring female academics and students from the university as well as women working in the industry.  

Higher Education and Employment Week

Year 12 students in sixth form had a busy Higher Education and Employment Week at the end of June. The annual event involved a 7-day programme of activities, workshops and talks from visiting speakers regarding the options available once A level and BTEC courses have been completed.  

Students learned about the university application process, how to find suitable degree courses and routes into higher level apprenticeships and had the opportunity to speak to employers from various industries as part of a speed networking event.  

There was also the opportunity to visit the University, Colleges & Admissions Service (UCAS) Exhibition at Birmingham NEC. Most UK universities, as well as a wide variety of higher level and degree apprenticeship providers were at the event and students had some in depth and helpful conversations about the courses and programmes they offer.  

Students were put through their paces in a mock assessment centre exercise where they had to work part of a team to complete a construction task. Students then received feedback about their performance during the task. 

A visit to Keele University gave students the opportunity to experience a university campus, tour the various facilities and attend workshops lead by current staff and students at the university.  

Year 10 – Mock Interview Event

Year 10 students enjoyed taking part in a Mock Interview Event in July where contacts from local businesses and organisations gave their time to interview students. 

The event was a fantastic opportunity for students to build their confidence and grow their communication skills in an interview setting to help them feel positive about the process of being interviewed in the future. 

As students approach 16, they may choose to look for some part time work and when they apply for college, sixth form or apprenticeships, there will be interviews involved as part of the process so having exposure to the experience now can be really helpful.  

Feedback from some of the employers: 

“The students I spoke with were an absolute credit to the school. They were polite, respectful, and showed great confidence when talking about their future career plans.” – Anne Moore – Ladder 

“Thanks for the opportunity.  It was such a pleasure to work with your students, and I was genuinely impressed with them all.” – Angela Poulton – NHS Black Country 

“All the students I met were polite, respectful and a credit to both you and the school – especially given the pressure of interviews! It was clear that the students I interviewed really value the school.” – Samantha Richardson, Dudley College 

Quality in Careers Standard assessment

The senior leader for careers, Mrs Benson, has been busy collating and compiling information for the Quality in Careers Standard assessment. 

This is a national quality award for overall careers education and guidance provision in secondary schools, colleges and training providers. 

The standard is strongly recommended by and fully complies with the Department for Education’s revised statutory guidance. Several of our students from years 9-13 were interviewed about Forge Academy’s careers programme by an external assessor – we await the results with bated breath! 🤞 

Year 12 Work Experience

Our Year 12 students spent a week on work experience at the start of July with a wide range of employers ranging from primary schools to care homes and solicitors to pharmacies. 

Students received some very positive feedback and found the week to be very helpful and insightful as they start to make decisions about their future after Year 13. 

Useful Information