News

Each year, our Year 12 students take part in Futures Week. This is a time for them to focus on the options that exist for them once they leave the Sixth Form, and to start doing some prepatory thinking. This year we saw a return of trips and visits following the COVID pandemic, with day trips out to Norwich and London. 

A core element of the week is the 'Advice' in 'Information, Advice and Guidance'. Students are presented with many opportunities to talk to guest speakers, ask questions, and meet with Sixth Form staff to discuss their plans. The week started with a day of sessions introducing the range of options that exist, from higher apprenticeships to degree apprenticeships, gap years, employment, and university options. The first day also included the first employer engagement of the week - Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.

Day two focused on employability and independence; searching for and applying for apprenticeships, understanding what it takes to live away from home, and developing employability skills. Visiting speakers from NEACO and Breckland Council were on hand to assist students with their individual questions throughout the day.

Wednesday took students to London, where a tour of Goldsmiths university, and Greenwich university campus was the starting point. The afternoon was spent taking a river cruise to Westminster before visiting Covent Garden to experience some time in central London.

Back in the Academy on day 4, students were guided through the process of applying for university, how to choose a course, gap years, and what studying later in life can bring you.

The final day of the week was split between UEA and NUA. With students able to participate in a range of tours and sessions designed to introduce them to a wide range of study routes across the two universities.

The week was ably organised by Mr Nevard, and as in previous years, students were able to access a phenomenal range of additional activities from a 'menu' of activities that spanned providers from across the globe, and from industries ranging from Music to Engineering, and Philosophy to Economics. Students were also actively encouraged to engage with some of the wellbeing resources on offer from Wellbeing Norfolk & Suffolk.

For students and their parents, the emails sent out before the week included links to all of the online events - many of these are still accessible, and if you are a parent of a year 12 student who would like these links sent to you again, please get in touch!