Tuesday 28 April 2026 saw the launch of a raft of support and guidance for Year 10 as they embark on their first GCSEs and begin to navigate their pathway after Year 11.
The 2026 Wider Curriculum Day was a central part of this, the timetable was suspended to allow Year 10 to take stock, gather information and grow their own employability skills. For half of the day they explored the biggest careers fair for young people in the county: The Big Futures Show: https://bigfuturesshow.org.uk/.
Mr Howard and Mr Pollard who led the trips were proud of the manners, engagement and networking skills our students demonstrated when engaging with a variety of national and local employers, FE and HE providers, charities and training providers. The feedback we received about our students was exceptional.
For the second half of their day Year 10 followed a carousel of short workshops and presentations which offered huge of information and choice.
- Holly from the University of Hertfordshire offered an interactive session about the advantages of university.
- Mrs Kite, our Careers Adviser offered an overview of the vocational routes including: apprenticeships, T Levels, BTECs and the new V Levels
- Sam White our very own Head of 6th Form aided by current Sixth Formers presented the case for the academic advantages of A Levels and the strengths and successes of our own offer at Heathfield.
- The 4th carousel: What’s My Line? meant Year 10 met at least 4 employers and had the chance to quiz them about their own careers and sectors. The volunteers included: software engineers, a corporate lawyer, social impact coordinator for Jacobs, an NHS Mental Health nurse, an accountant, two with very varied experience of local government from Wealden Council a business coach and an alumni who has had varied experience from being a business start up to working in the City!
Ms Taylor, our Careers Lead, supported by the Year 10 tutors and Pastoral Team was delighted by how the students ‘stepped up’: “regardless of their usual confidence or anxieties I was so happy to be heavily complimented by the governors, alumni, parents and friends of Heathfield who volunteered for the event and were so complimentary with how incisive, polite, funny our students are in a situation which would cause some to freeze. It shows how employable they already are and gave them a chance to really feel good about themselves.”
Next term will see Wider Curriculum Day 2 when Year 10 have the chance to try out some of the varied learning paths they might choose after Year 11. Students are reminded to keep an eye on their emails and Arbor messages, attend PSHEe and ask questions both the adults in their families and communities as well as the guidance experts here at College so they know what is on offer and what will be best for them. We will also be launching their accounts on www.careerseastsussex.co.uk which is how they will be applying to Sixth Form or College.
