The delivery of the sessions, during the start of lessons, helped students understand how subjects they study have relevance to the world of work, offering clarity on which skills they gain from each subject and how these transfer to a wide range of careers.

As part of the focus on careers, a group of Year 9 and 10 students attended the University of Essex, Colchester Campus. The purpose of the visit was to raise aspirations and show students the opportunities available to them in the future.

Students were given the opportunity to tour the impressive campus and accommodation facilities, experience a lecture from a PhD tutor and pose questions to students about university life.

Year 9 student Scander.B, who aspires to study Photography, was really impressed; “The entire area was massive it was like a village. The visit gave me a great insight into what studying at a university will be like.”

“The University of Essex looks like an excellent option to continue my education once I have finished studying at The Basildon Academies Sixth Form. It offers many courses which prepare you for a job. In the future I would like to study Business and Economics at uni.” Maria. M - Year 9

“Visiting the campus was fun and also very useful. I’m sure the experience will help me in the future. My ambition is to study Drama and Performing Arts at uni, and this was a great opportunity to find out more information about what is involved.” Laura-Gabriela.M - Year 9