Adam’s passion is raising the aspirations of our students by providing opportunities for them to become more connected with the world of work. Adam’s objective Is to ensure that all students are prepared for their next steps after leaving school, whether that be further education, an apprenticeship or employment.

Sally’s passion is supporting students with information about career options. She helps students navigate their future options and gain an understanding of the pathways available post 16. Sally makes sure all students are choosing courses that align with their own interests or their future work aspirations.

Our existing careers programme allows the students to engage in activities which will provide them with the relevant experience and skills to thrive in the world of work. The programme covers the required Gatsby Benchmarks, allowing every student to achieve the following:

The BBC are celebrating Bradford 2025, as City of Culture by delivering shows which are led by an experienced BBC presenter, who speaks to three professionals on a panel style set up. Each profession is either from Bradford or works in the district and will discuss their career path and their journey with the host. They will cover a variety of topics, such as relevant qualifications, personal anecdotes, advice on work experience and key soft skills for the workplace. There is also an opportunity for students to ask representatives questions during the interactive part of the event.  The Bitesize Careers Tour is designed to raise awareness of career aspirations to secondary pupils across the UK and offer them practical advice on how they can pursue a career in a variety of work fields.

We believe that all students should have the opportunity to access guidance interviews with qualified career coaches, both internal and external to support them with interview preparation and confidence.

At Hanson Academy, we have two level 6 qualified advisors available, who can support students when they are making significant study or career choices.  In year 12 and Year 13, all students are scheduled a compulsory 1-1 guidance meeting to support them with their key transition points, such as Post 18.

Business volunteers provided by AHEAD partnerships come into Hanson Academy to formally interview each individual student and provide each interviewee with feedback on their application form and how they performed during the interview. This feedback is useful for students to reflect upon when attending real interviews for job offers or university.

Year 12 students carry out a work experience placement at the end of the year which allows them gain both practical experience in a work environment and an insight into the world of work.  This is to provide them with not only work experience to add to their CVs but transferable skills, useful for life beyond sixth form.

Students secure their own placements, but we support to help them search for the right placement and also coach students towards the direction most appropriate to them. Some of the placement areas of work include:

Hospitality, Business, IT/Computing, Programming Engineering, Teaching, Education, FE, Healthcare, Medical, Dentistry, Optometry, Sports and Leisure, Sales, Marketing, Arts and Heritage, Community.

We aim to enable students to become confident individuals who are ‘work-ready’ and prepared to be challenged. Employers increasingly expect job applicants to have a healthy mix of good qualifications and relevant work experience. Employers value the skills young people develop from work experience and their fresh perspective in the workplace. They also consider their extra-curricular interest and any leadership opportunities they have taken on.

Work Experience Figures

2024-2025- currently 65 students have placements secured– 80%

2023-2024- 82 students went on WEX placements– 74%

2022-2023- 83 students went on WEX placements- 65%

Anisa Ali – Avicenna Medical Practice

What did you learn on your placement?

‘During the placement, I Iearned the importance of not only having good teamwork skills with fellow colleagues but with clients as well.

I observed how to build rapport with vulnerable patients, as well as staff. I was able to understand the specific routes that employees have taken, to achieve the job role that they hold.

Throughout the placement, I have developed my interpersonal skills and enhanced with communication skills. I have been able to gain experience in a health care environment which is beneficial for the academic route I wish to go down.

Furthermore, I was able to gain firsthand experience with patients in the healthcare environment’

How has the placement impacted your future choices?

‘I now have a greater understanding of what working in healthcare is like and I have gained many different skills needed to cope in this specific environment. Additionally, the placement has encouraged me to think about pursuing a degree in Child Nursing.’

Harkeet Bhandal

Bowman Riley- Monday 23^rd June- Friday 27^th June 2025

Harkeet completed his work experience placement at Bowman Riley Building Consultancy in Skipton, where he was given the opportunity to learn about how the architectural and interior design industry works. Harkeet looked at model making and creating a 3D image using an architectural computer programme.

Harkeet’s site design idea was turning a run-down farming complex into an entertainment hub. He took his inspiration from the ‘village feel’ Skipton gave off. He submitted a very convincing site analysis and proposal alongside his idea and presented his idea to a panel on the last day of the placement.

Bowman Riley Building Consultancy praised Harkeet for his determination and navigation skills, as he took multiple buses to get there and back across the week, travelling all the way from Huddersfield to Skipton for the placement.

Harkeet enjoyed interacting with architectural and interior design specialists, as well as gaining some real-life work experience that he can use for future employment and to strengthen his university applications, as he wants to pursue a career in Architecture.

He summed up his placement in three words: refreshing, amazing and intriguing.

Baylee- James Mortimer- Poplar’s Farm Primary School, Bradford

Baylee completed his placement at Poplar’s Farm Primary School last week, working as a TA and general helper within a year 4 class. Baylee was comfortable engaging with the students and was able to support their needs. The School WEX coordinator at Poplar’s Farm has described him an exemplary student and praised how he worked in the classroom. The year 6 teacher thought Baylee was fantastic. She has advised he take up an apprenticeship in the future in the field of education, either at Poplar’s Farm or elsewhere and has offered to give him a good reference.

Well done Baylee.

Aleena Ali- SPRUCE Programme

Aleena Ali in year 12 attended the SPRUCE programme recently. As an aspiring lawyer, she was able to get some exposure into the sector, learning about different types of Law and how the legal system works across England and Wales. The programme included a mix of speaker sessions, discussions and mock sentencing, where students were able to test their advocacy skills.

Aleena was chosen to complete another weeklong placement with a law firm as she stood out within the spruce programme cohort as having the right skills to become a lawyer. She has snapped this opportunity up and is excited to learn some more about the sector and enhance her CV.