Ivy Lane Hosts First Ever Careers & Futures Week

Across the week, pupils took part in a range of activities both on and off site, exploring career pathways, skill-building opportunities and further education options.

Gaining Real-World Experience on Site

We were proud to open up opportunities within our own school community. Our admin and catering teams kindly welcomed students to experience their day-to-day roles. In the admin team, students staffed reception, welcomed visitors, signed people in, and used phones, email and in-person communication—learning just how many skills are needed to keep a busy school running smoothly. With the catering team, pupils helped prepare meals, learned about different routes into the industry, and discussed the key skills needed to succeed in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Exploring Careers Beyond the School Gates

Off-site visits gave students the chance to step into large-scale workplaces and get a taste of different career sectors. At Amazon’s Fulfilment Centre, pupils toured a vast warehouse the size of four football pitches! They discovered how people and robots work side by side, and saw first-hand the importance of safety, logistics and teamwork in one of the world’s biggest employers. A local building site gave insight into the world of construction. Students met tradespeople, learned about training pathways and salaries, and even got a preview of our future classrooms currently under construction!

Inspiring Guest Speakers & Practical Workshops

Back at school, students enjoyed several engaging and interactive sessions. Shaun, a former rugby league player turned sports massage therapist, spoke about his career journey, shared stories from the pitch, and gave pupils a chance to try out massage guns and explore his old team kits. Chris from Bee Safe Training delivered an exciting practical session on careers in public services. Pupils got a taste of training courses with demonstrations on search techniques and safe use of handcuffs—all delivered in a fun, safe, and engaging way.

Looking Ahead to College

We’re incredibly grateful to Camphill and Mercury Colleges, who each hosted bespoke open events for our students and families. These visits offered valuable insight into post-16 education and gave families time to explore what’s on offer locally.

A huge thank you to all staff, visitors, partners and families who helped make our first Careers and Futures Week such a success. We look forward to making this a regular feature in the school calendar, continuing to support our students as they take steps toward confident, independent futures.