Posted 11 July 2017

This term the GHWY team supported the Progression to Post 16 evening on Tuesday, 20th June 2017. This event was held at Burntwood Court Hotel by Minsthorpe Community College and was an introduction to Post 16 choices across the Wakefield District for their year10 students and families.  The aim was to support students and their families in considering their options beyond Year 11.

The event provided a general overview and introduction to the different progression routes, courses and levels of study available to students in the Wakefield area, as well as the opportunity to find out the different types of learning that students will need to consider for Year 12 and beyond.

The format of the evening was a series of presentations and information stands. GHWY staff gave an overview of how we would be working in Minsthorpe and how their progression officer Claire Jubb would be available to support students and families. 5 student ambassadors from a combination of Huddersfield University and Leeds Beckett University spoke confidently and honestly about their own experiences during HE in front of 140 parents, carers and students. The families and students then had the opportunity to speak to us all on an individual basis following the presentations.

This was a great event. There was free transport available for those families who wanted it and that picked them up and dropped them back to the school. The fact this was off-site made sure that the evening had a special feeling and separated it out from usual parents evenings or careers fairs. The HE student ambassadors were a welcome addition to the evening and feedback from students and families highlighted this. It was a pleasure for us to be involved in the event, meet the wonderful students from Minsthorpe and have the opportunity to bring higher education into the further education discussions throughout the evening. We are looking forward to next year all ready!