Careers Events

Throughout the academic year here at The Laurel Academy, we host a large number of events dedicated to careers, making sure that all students here at the academy have access to a meaningful careers curriculum that is not only informative, but also a hands on enjoyable experience.

Here are some of our highlights this academic year.

Army STEM Event – Feb 2023

The British Army once again have attended the Laurel Academy to deliver a bespoke STEM event to year

7 & 8 Students. STEM skills are vital when the British Army deploys around the world and are never more crucial than when disaster strikes!
In this activity, pupils joined the Army’s Engineers, Medics and
Logisticians in deploying to a remote part of the world which
has been hit by a destructive earthquake. Learning how to build,
programme and operate their LEGO™ Spike robot pupils will use their
robot to undertake a series of engineering and logistical challenges
in order to achieve their mission and deliver life-saving humanitarian
aid to the local people.

STEM Event Jan 2023

This STEM event was brought to school through BAE systems and engineering company in conjunction with the RAF and the Royal NAVY. Matt and his team attended the Laurel Academy to deliver a bespoke workshop and presentation to all year 8. The main focus was ‘Space’, and how rockets are built to withstand the pressures of space travel. Students touched on engineering problem solving tasks as well as scientific and mathematical tasks.

Commando Chef

CSgt Mike Beaton MBE Royal Marine attended The Laurel Academy to deliver an amazing careers session to our year 10 & 11 students. Mike travels the country attending schools and delivering an action-packed careers session to students where he tells his life story about his experiences in the marines, whilst cooking and promoting the importance of healthy eating. All students thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and were very keen to ask Mike questions about the benefits of choosing a careers in the Royal Marines and Navy.

Enterprise Advisor Visit

Adam Lee of Constant Security and Lisa Chambers of Stelrad Radiators are two of the largest employers in the local area. Both attended the Laurel Academy to host a careers café, where students were given the opportunity to talk to Adam and Lisa about careers and possible progression routes in both of their companies. Adam and Lisa were able to discuss with students the benefits of traineeships and other employment opportunities, as well as highlight some of the key skills that employers look for.

Employer Workshop – Constant Security

Constant Security were welcomed as part of our careers ‘Step Up’ morning in both October and March where students took part in a hands on interactive workshop. Adam Lee of Constant security ran the workshop along with some of the workforce apprentices where students learnt the value of employment and employability skills, as well as take part in the different roles security personnel undertake.

Dragons Den – The Source

Selected students in year 9 were treated to a visit from the resource centre ‘The Source’ near Meadowhall Shopping Centre. Students were given the task of creating their own product in a ‘Dragons Den’ style workshop. Students were then tasked with planning a business model, as well as creating a marketing strategy to promote their product to the public. Students were able to discuss key concepts of employment as well as key employability skills.

NHS Next Generation Workshop

A team of nurses from the NHS visited the Laurel Academy to work with our Health & Social Care Students. The three hour session allowed students to work closely with qualified nurses and discover more about working with the NHS. Students discovered the benefits of working in the NHS as well as key employability skills and the vast amount of roles available.

Year 11 – Post 16 Careers Cafe

All post 16 providers in the local area attended the Laurel Academy for a one hour session with our year 11 students. Our students were able to visit stalls from a range of P16 colleges and apprenticeship providers and gather information about possible destinations after year 11. Attendees included Dearne Valley College, Rotherham College, Doncaster College, New College Doncaster, Engage, Learn a Living, Horse Racing College.

Barclays Life Skills

Students in year 10 have been taking part in the Barclays Life Skills sessions throughout the year. The four sessions were delivered by the skills advisor where students learnt about key employability skills and the advantage of having these in the workplace. The four sessions were:

STEM Roadshow

Year 7 & 8 took part in this years STEM roadshow delivered by the Royal Navy and RAF. All students were treated to an interactive one hour session where they discovered the role engineering plays in different professions throughout the world. In specific, students were taught about magnets and what everyday appliances they contribute to.

Sit Thomas Wharton Sixth Form

Year 11 students took part in a Post 16 session delivered by Sir Thomas Wharton sixth form. They visited the Laurel Academy to relay their 16-19 offer to all our year 11 cohort. Students discovered the courses that are currently on offer and the benefits of attending the sixth form.