The Stephen Longfellow Academy provided its students with direct contact with a range of employers, colleges, universities, and training providers. Students in Years 10 & 11 were invited and supported to attend the Next Gen Choices Fair on 8 October 2024. The Next Gen Careers Fair is a yearly event which supports our students consider their options post 16. This year it was held at a new venue, Tech North in Leeds.
Prior to the event, students were spoken to about the benefit of visiting the careers fair, the providers who would be present and its importance for their futures. Due to the needs of our students the quietest time slot was selected with the least number of schools attending.
At the fair, students were exposed to different post-16 pathways and providers, colleges such as: Leeds City College, Leeds College of Building, Askham Bryan College, Notre Dame College, and many more were present. Employers such as the Army, Navy, Jet2 and other apprenticeship providers were in attendance. The event was positive experience for students.
Most of the students engaged well with the providers and their staff members. Stephen Longfellow Academy students also had the support of the careers team to help them initiate conversations with providers as needed so that there was maximum engagement. For those students who missed out on the day, an internal Careers Fair will be held by the Careers Team in December 2024.
The majority of students comments were positive about the experience, but one student commented that the event was “too packed and tight”. We have sent this feedback to the venue organisers, requesting in future events as even their quietest slot was very busy due to the smaller venue. Another student said. “I didn’t know that Kirklees had a building close to where I live, and I can do Barbering there as well.” (Year 11 student).
33% of students said the event was Very Useful to help them think about their future.
33% of students said the event was Useful to help them think about their future.
33% of students said Only some parts were useful to help them think about their future.
No student said the Careers Fair was not useful.
Parents and carers were given information about the event directly on the Academy website and could also take their children to the event in the non-schools slot between 4 and 7pm on the day. A text was sent to all KS4 parents to inform them of this opportunity.
Raj Gill (Director of Careers)