Careers Blog Term 2A

Following the continued development of our Mock Interview Event, we were delighted to welcome 45 employers to our school last month to conduct interviews with our Year 11 students. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong network of external partners. Their ongoing support is a testament to our students, as many employers return year after year to take part in what has become a true highlight of the school calendar. Students began preparing for the event back in December when the programme launched and they received the job profile for the role they would be interviewing for. Since then, they have worked on refining their CVs and attended interview skills sessions, gaining valuable tips and advice to help them feel confident and prepared. We understand that interviews can be one of the most daunting aspects of the career journey. Our aim is to provide students with an authentic, real-world interview experience so that when they face their first interview beyond school, it feels more familiar and far less intimidating. Crucially, each student also receives personalised feedback from employers to support their future development. The event also includes a competitive element: five students are interviewed for each role, with one candidate selected as the successful applicant. This mirrors real-life recruitment processes and encourages healthy competition. While nerves are completely natural, 98% of students said they enjoyed the experience, and 100% found the feedback they received helpful as they look ahead to their futures.

Each year, the range of roles reflects students’ interests, identified through a questionnaire completed at the start of the year. Take a look at this year’s opportunities:

Psychologist	Firefighter	Nurse	Social Worker
Journalist	Personal Trainer	Hairdresser	Electrician
Construction Worker	Paramedic	Sports Physiotherapist	Recruitment
Touring Music Performer	Beauty Therapist	Cabin Crew	Bricklayer
Secondary Teacher	Early Years Teacher	Primary Teacher	Electrical Engineer
Legal Assistant	Tattoo Artist	Mechanical Engineer	Software Developer
Accountant	Animal Care Assistant	Royal Air Force	Business Owner
Photographer	Actor	Midwife	Catering Assistant
Sports Coach	Wind Engineer	Police Officer	Mechanic
Commis Chef	Aerospace Engineer

This week, all Year 11 students will complete a Post-16 Destination Form. This will provide a clear overview of which students may still require additional support with their applications, and I will meet with those students individually to help them complete the process. Please do continue to get in touch if your child would benefit from any further support: hayley.lawes@hessleacademy.com.  

Thank you to all students who have submitted their Work Experience Placement Forms ahead of this week’s deadline. Securing a placement often requires patience and perseverance, so well done to everyone who has worked hard to arrange theirs. We have been granted an extension for submitting Placement Forms, with a new and final deadline of Friday 17th April 2026. We hope this additional time will support those students who are still in the process of confirming a placement. If you are experiencing any difficulties, please ensure you speak to your Tutor or to me so that we can offer support.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), we took the opportunity to highlight the wide range of pathways available to our students after school. During tutor time, students explored what apprenticeships are, how they work, and the many benefits they offer, including earning a salary while gaining nationally recognised qualifications and valuable workplace experience. We also looked more closely at the diverse apprenticeship opportunities available within the British Army. Students were introduced to the wide variety of roles on offer, from engineering and IT to logistics, healthcare and communications. The sessions helped to showcase the exciting and varied career paths available, as well as the training, qualifications and progression routes that can be achieved through an Army apprenticeship. It was a valuable opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of apprenticeships and consider the different routes that could support their future career ambitions.

Finally, we’ve updated our social media, and you can now follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest events and activities happening around the school!

Upcoming Events  

Year 9 Pathways Fair – Monday 23rd February 2026

Year 9 Options Parent/Carer meeting: Tuesday 24th February 2026

KS4 Options Form Deadline: Friday 6th March 2026

East Riding College: Click Here

Hull College: Click Here

Bishop Burton College: Click Here

HETA Application Deadline: 1st March 2026

KWL Apprentice Open Day: Saturday 7th March 2026

Miss Lawes

Careers Leader

Hessle High School

Careers Blog Term 2A