More than 1,000 Year 11 students from across Hyndburn came together at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium to explore the wide range of career, education and training opportunities available to them locally.
The popular #AmazingAccrington Futures Event, held on Friday, brought together leading employers, training organisations and education providers, giving students the opportunity to consider their options and plan their next steps beyond secondary school.
Students from The Hyndburn Academy, Accrington Academy, Mount Carmel, The Hollins, Rhyddings and St Christopher’s CE High School attended the event, engaging directly with organisations and discovering potential pathways into employment, apprenticeships and further education.
A wide range of employers and organisations were represented, including the Royal Air Force, Safran, The Senator Group, Vital Synergy, The Calico Group, Onward, Hyndburn Borough Council and Accrington Stanley Community Trust. Students were able to ask questions, learn about different industries and gain valuable insights into the skills and qualifications needed for future careers.
For our Year 11 students, the event provided an important opportunity to broaden their horizons, build confidence and explore possibilities they may not previously have considered as they prepare for life after their GCSEs.
Jess Ross, Cluster Careers Lead for The Hyndburn Academy and Accrington Academy, said:
“The key for today is making sure that our students are speaking to some of our local employers and to talk about the apprenticeship opportunities available to them. They have been excited all week, asking a lot of questions about it and it’s nice to see them having these positive conversations.”
The event was supported by a range of partners, including Accrington Stanley, Accrington and Rossendale College, part of the East Lancashire Learning Group, and Blackburn College. Their involvement highlighted the strength of local partnerships in helping young people access information, guidance and opportunities within their community.
By connecting students directly with employers and education providers, the event helped demonstrate the variety of routes available after Year 11, from apprenticeships and vocational training to college courses and future employment.
At The Hyndburn Academy, we are committed to preparing our students for life beyond the classroom and ensuring they have the knowledge, confidence and ambition to make informed decisions about their futures.
We are proud to see our Year 11 students engaging positively with these opportunities and taking important steps towards their next chapter.