St John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College was proud to host its whole‑school Careers Day 2026, an inspiring event designed to help students explore future pathways, develop employability skills and gain first‑hand insight into the world of work.
With the school taken off timetable for the day, students from Year 7 through to Sixth Form participated in a wide range of engaging, age‑appropriate activities focused on careers education, aspiration and preparation for life beyond school.
Developing Employability Skills in Key Stage 3
Year 7 – The Tyre Challenge
Our Year 7 students took part in the energetic Tyre Challenge, a practical activity designed to introduce key employability skills. Pupils worked in teams to develop teamwork, communication, leadership and problem‑solving skills, while also exploring financial management and creativity. The challenge encouraged confidence, collaboration and resilience — all essential skills for future employment.
Year 8 – Board Game Design
Year 8 spent the day becoming entrepreneurs and designers by creating their own board games. This creative task required students to apply mathematical thinking, literacy skills, creativity and strategic planning, whilst also working collaboratively — mirroring the real‑world processes involved in product development and design careers.
Exploring Careers and the Working World in Key Stage 4
Year 9 – Work Experience and Industry Insight
Some of our Year 9 students took part in work experience placements, gaining valuable hands‑on insight into different industries. Meanwhile, students based in school participated in the Barclays LifeSkills game, designed to build financial confidence and workplace awareness.
The day also featured talks and workshops from employer representatives, including Jet2, Siemens and Durham Wildlife Trust, giving students the opportunity to learn directly from professionals working in a variety of career sectors.
Year 10 – Subject‑Linked Career Exploration
Year 10 students explored career pathways linked to subjects of their choice, helping them make stronger connections between their learning and future opportunities. Some students also visited Bishop Auckland College, where they explored potential post‑16 routes and gained insight into further education options available locally.
Year 11 – Preparing for Life Beyond GCSEs
For Year 11, Careers Day focused firmly on next steps beyond GCSEs. Students took part in A Level taster sessions, giving them a valuable experience of Sixth Form study at St John’s.
Others had the opportunity to explore post‑16 courses at Bishop Auckland College, including E‑Sports, Bricklaying, Catering and Childcare, allowing them to sample vocational pathways and discover options that best suit their strengths and interests.
Sixth Form – Planning for the Future
Our Sixth Form students engaged in a series of targeted workshops designed to support their future decision‑making. Topics included:
- University pathways
- Apprenticeships
- Careers in the NHS
- Personal finance
- Interview skills
- Work experience opportunities
These sessions provided practical guidance, helping students feel prepared, informed and confident as they consider life after Sixth Form.
A Community Effort
We are incredibly proud of our students for their enthusiasm, maturity and fantastic engagement throughout the day. Events like Careers Day play a vital role in helping young people raise aspirations and make informed choices about their futures.
A sincere thank you to all the external visitors and employer partners who gave their time to deliver such meaningful sessions. We would also like to extend special thanks to Ms Somers and Dr Little for organising the event and ensuring the day ran so smoothly.
At St John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College, Bishop Auckland, we remain committed to providing high‑quality careers education that supports every student in achieving their full potential.
