King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes embraced National Careers Week (NCW) with a packed programme of activities, visits, and student-led initiatives that brought the world of work into the heart of the school. Organised by dedicated Careers Lead Yasmin Hagan, the week aimed to inspire students, raise awareness of the current labour market, and provide meaningful experiences linked to the Liverpool City Region’s key growth sectors.
A standout feature of the week was the daily assemblies led by the school’s newly appointed Student and Staff Career Champions. These assemblies were an opportunity to spotlight eight vital growth sectors in the region: Advanced Manufacturing, Logistics and Maritime, Visitor Economy, Professional Business Services, Construction and the Built Environment, Health and Life Sciences, Green Growth, and Digital and Creative. Each growth sector is represented by a student Career Champion from Years 7 to 10, who will also take part in visits, meet professionals, and help develop engaging displays around the school. These displays are designed to promote their sector, increasing awareness among their peers and staff alike.
Yasmin explained that the introduction of student Career Champions is a powerful way to further embed careers education within the school: “This initiative raises the profile of careers in school and gives our students an opportunity to lead on raising awareness of the current labour market and opportunities.”
As part of NCW, all Year 10 students embarked on a one-week work experience placement. These placements spanned a wide variety of sectors and included opportunities at the Crown Courts, Merseyside Police, Liverpool John Moores University, HMRC, Steven Gerrard Academy, and Rice Lane City Farm. A number of pupils secured their own placements, while others were supported by the school and its wide network of employers. The aim was to ensure all pupils gained valuable insight into different careers, developed key employability skills such as confidence and resilience, and understood the skills, training, and knowledge required in various sectors.
One particularly inspiring opportunity came through the school’s continued relationship with the Sovini Group in Bootle. As part of Women in Industry Week, a group of Year 10 girls completed placements with Sovini, working alongside both male and female tradespeople in roles such as plastering and tiling. They also had the chance to meet female managers and apprentices, hearing first-hand about their personal career journeys and the growing drive to increase diversity in traditionally male-dominated industries.
This year’s NCW also highlighted the value of collaboration within the Great Schools Trust. Several Year 10 students completed placements at King’s Lander Primary Academy, strengthening the connection between schools within the Trust and providing an invaluable opportunity to explore careers in education. Looking ahead, the school will be hosting a dedicated Careers Fair for Year 7 students, continuing its mission to raise aspirations from an early age. Thanks to the school’s strong focus on careers education, students at King’s Hawthornes are continuing to develop an understanding of the opportunities that await them and the skills they need to succeed.