Hereford Sixth Form College Careers department recently hosted a celebratory lunch for students who are leaving College for a variety of exciting destinations.

The majority have completed 2 years of study at the college and took time out of preparing for upcoming exams to meet other students and share their plans for the future.

Students are moving to all corners of the UK to undertake university courses, degree apprenticeships, work with training and gap years.

Students are well informed and supported to achieve career goals and reach their full potential, Ofsted noted in their 2023 inspection: “The quality of the careers support available to students is excellent; students benefit from a broad programme of career-focused activity throughout their time at college.”

Students also benefit from extensive support with applications to all career and education destinations, with many achieving places on competitive degree courses and with top degree apprenticeship employers.

Daniel, of St Albans School in Pontypool, is delighted to secure a degree apprenticeship in Aerospace Engineering with Airbus, based in Bristol.

Whilst Chloe T, previously from Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw near Cwmbran, has secured a place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to study Stage Management and Technical Theatre, finding her love of technical theatre whilst stage managing the winter production of “A Midwinter Night’s Dream”.

Chloe said, “through my studies and extra-curricular opportunities, I was able to find my passion for stage management…I’m looking forward to learning from theatre professionals and seeing where university leads me!”

River has studied concurrently at both Hereford Sixth Form College and The Royal National College for the Blind, with the hard work paying off with a well-deserved degree apprenticeship in Food Science and Technology with Samworth Brothers.

Whilst Chloe P, formerly of St Mary’s RC High School, is putting studies in Psychology, Sociology and Criminology to good use and applying for a degree apprenticeship with West Mercia Police.

Chloe enjoyed being a part of the Music Academy college band “Fandango” in her time at college, in between her studies and police patrols, she will hopefully continue to delight audiences with her musical talents!

Ife, of Earl Mortimer College, has worked hard to secure a place on a Midwifery course at Edge Hill University.

Ife says of her experience, “The careers team were extremely helpful in supporting me with the interview process, they gave me advice on how to answer questions through mock interviews and support emotionally, which I was very grateful for.”

The support doesn’t end when students leave college, with former students Gwen, Fin and Corinne keeping in touch and receiving assistance from the careers team in applying for university.

Gwen and Corinne completed foundation art courses whilst Fin worked full time before they each decided on their chosen study pathways; the Careers team are delighted that all have secured University places.

Ofsted also celebrated the college’s Reach programme for being highly successful in raising aspirations for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Students who went through the College’s Reach programme were also celebrating, as the programme helped them find the right courses at some of the most competitive universities in the world.

Bethany, who joined HSFC from online school Interhigh, said of the Reach programme, “My desire to go into medicine merely seemed like an impossible dream given the many struggles I’ve faced in my life. The Reach program inspired me, and the careers team supported me to get through each step needed to reach my offer.”

Principal Catherine Brearey “The diverse destinations of our upcoming leavers demonstrates that our students are finding their passions and making informed choices. This is exactly what our careers programme is designed to do, delivered by our incredible careers team who really do go the extra mile for each and every student. I wish all the students the best in their future endeavours.”