Year 8 students have taken part in an entrepreneurship masterclass designed to develop their confidence, teamwork and understanding of the world of business.

The activity was delivered by members of For Entrepreneurs Only (FEO), an award-winning Hull-based community interest company comprising more than 200 business owners from across Hull and East Yorkshire.

Throughout the day-long event, students were introduced to the key principles involved in creating and running a successful business. Sessions focused on areas such as positive attitudes and behaviours, effective communication and people skills, marketing, and basic financial management, giving students a practical insight into enterprise and self-employment as potential future career pathways.

Working in small teams, participants were challenged to design their own product or service and develop a business plan around it. Each student took on a specific role within their team, encouraging collaboration, leadership and independent thinking. With support and guidance from FEO’s business professionals, students refined their ideas before presenting them to a judging panel.

Presentations were assessed on a range of criteria, including the originality and viability of the business idea, marketing considerations, financial planning, teamwork and presentation skills. Judges commented on the consistently high standard of work, with a number of team and individual prizes awarded to recognise budding entrepreneurs. 

Reflecting on the experience, Year 8 student Malachy said: “The masterclass gave us a real head start for later in life and helped us understand more about how the world beyond school works. The most important thing I learned was how to work effectively in a group, balancing independence with collaboration. I also feel I developed my leadership skills and confidence throughout the day.”

Viki Foster, school careers leader, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome FEO back to the school. As always, the masterclass offered our students a full day of engaging activities and inspiring talks delivered by local business owners. The students were fully engaged throughout and were a credit to themselves and the school. FEO members were particularly impressed by their business knowledge and awareness of financial markets, with several students receiving recognition for the depth and confidence of their discussions about enterprise.”

A group of Year 9 students recently gained first-hand experience in the healthcare sector after taking part in a career insight day at Hull Royal Infirmary. 

Hosted by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust at its Clinical Skills Centre, the event offered students an immersive introduction to the realities of working in a clinical environment. The visit also formed part of the school’s Ready 4 Work initiative, which provides structured work experience opportunities for students in Years 7 to 11, in line with updated government guidance.

During the session, students took part in a series of hands-on simulations designed to reflect the day-to-day challenges faced by healthcare professionals. One scenario required participants to identify potential risks on a mock hospital ward, including unattended medication, poorly made beds and trip hazards. Students also explored key principles of infection prevention and control, alongside wider considerations relating to patient safety and experience.

The importance of precise and effective communication in clinical settings was highlighted through an exercise that challenged students to give clear instructions to a partner in a noisy environment, simulating the pressures and distractions of a busy hospital ward. 

Reflecting on the visit, Year 9 student Logan said: “I think workplace visits like this are really valuable because they give you a realistic insight into what a career is actually like, including things you might not expect. One of the most important things I learnt was just how intense hospitals can be, what the wards look like, and how many different career pathways and choices are available within a hospital environment.”

Viki Foster, school careers leader, said: “With our Year 9 students preparing to choose their GCSE options in the new year, the opportunity to broaden their horizons through immersive workplace visits is crucial. Experiences like this allow them to see first-hand the range of pathways available and begin to form a clearer picture of the direction they may wish to take.”

ABOVE: Maisie C gets to grips with an oxygen mask as part of a simulated experience on the ward. 

ABOVE: Among the practical skills covered was how to safely make a hospital bed to avoid patient discomfort.  

ABOVE: A ‘messy ward’ scenario tasked students with identifying potential safety hazards on a mock ward.

Year 11 students have been honing the skills that will help them unlock future study and employment opportunities, thanks to a programme of events and activities focussed on writing personal statements and preparing for interviews. 

Guiding the students through this process is careers leader Viki Foster, who said: “Personal statements are invaluable. They allow students to promote themselves by highlighting hobbies, interests and what makes them unique. A strong statement demonstrates individuality and captures attention, helping applicants stand out from the crowd.”

As part of the process, students took part in an interview skills workshop. This introduced them to practical interview tips and techniques, covering preparation strategies and the different types of interviews they might face. Students also explored the qualities employers look for in candidates, with emphasis placed on positive body language, including eye contact, upright posture, and a confident handshake. 

One week after the workshop, students put their new skills into action during a structured mock interview day. More than 15 representatives from local employers and education providers, including Wyke 6th Form College, Hull City AFC, Sword Construction and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, interviewed approximately 120 students, each of whom faced five individually tailored questions from their allocated interviewer. 

Reflecting on the event from a visitor’s perspective, James Medcalf, a former student of the school and specialist occupational therapist with the City Healthcare Partnership CIC, said: “The students were fantastic, and it is great to see that the school is still working hard to prepare them for their next chapters. Having been a student at the school myself, and now in successful employment, I know first-hand how supportive the careers programme is and it was a pleasure to return as a representative of the healthcare sector to help motivate and inspire the next generation.”  

Student feedback was equally positive, with Declan K saying: “The mock interview day is an experience that everyone needs for the future, whether they are interviewing for college or work. It helped give a realistic idea of what to expect in those situations.”

Christian H described the interview skills session as extremely useful in preparing for his mock interview and found the interview itself beneficial. “The most valuable part for me was talking to a stranger about their job and their role in their workplace, and experiencing being questioned about myself. The hardest part was speaking one-to-one as it’s something I usually find challenging. The mock interview gave me a clear sense of what to expect and how to prepare for a real interview.”

ABOVE: Harry F (left) and Jason A try out their firm handshakes in the HOP interview skills session. 

ABOVE: Sanna Saidy of the Humber Outreach Programme guides students on using posture and steady breathing to stay confident under interview pressure. 

ABOVE: The mock interview day gave students an opportunity to experience an in-person, one-to-one interview scenario. 

ABOVE: In the foreground, Oakley O waits for his mock interview, while Olivia B is interviewed in the background by Clare Horrigan, operations manager at St Mary’s Sixth Form. 

ABOVE: After leading the interview skills session, HOP’s Sanna Saidy returned as an interviewer to witness students putting their new-found skills into practice.

ABOVE: Savannah B carried herself confidently in an interview with a representative from the healthcare sector.