STUDENTS at a York secondary school have been looking to the future at an event aimed at preparing them for the world of work.

Year 11 students at Millthorpe School took part in an Exploring Pathways event organised in conjunction with NYBEP (North Yorkshire Business & Enterprise Partnership) which included a variety of workshops, and gave them the opportunity to listen to talks about student finance and apprenticeship schemes.

They also got the chance to talk to employers, trainers and education establishments in the careers exhibition and also learned about interview techniques and skills.

Representatives on the day included: Askham Bryan College, Derwent Training Association, the Job Centre, British Army, Royal Navy, Huddersfield University, York St John University and All Saints RC sixth form.

GALLERY OF 186 OLD PHOTOS FROM MILLTHORPE SCHOOL

Sharon Maddison, delivery team lead from NYBEP said “The event is about helping our young people prepare for their future.

"In addition to looking at the opportunities that are available post-16, we also want to instil into them the fact that planning and organisation are essential, the importance of working hard and having a positive attitude and ways in which they can work on their confidence and self-belief to help them progress.”

Tim Gillbanks, Millthorpe deputy head, said: “As a school we do everything we can to ensure that our students have as much information as possible about the huge variety of opportunities available to them post-16, but we also want to equip them with the skills and knowledge to make a smooth transition to that next step, whatever that might be.

"We are hugely grateful to NYBEP for their ongoing support and to all of our speakers and exhibitors who helped make the day such a success.”

Year 11 students, Mary and Amy said: “It’s really good to have everybody in school all at once so that we can talk to as many people as possible.

"It helps us to work out what we don’t want to do as much as what we do want to do.

"We’re both thinking of A -levels at the moment, but it’s been really good to see what else is available.”

Mr Gillbanks said that the representatives from York College, Askham Bryan College and York St John University all commented on how engaged the students were and that they were impressed with the preparation the students had done before the day.

Millthorpe is part of South Bank Academy Trust with Scarcroft, Woodthorpe and Knavesmire primaries and York High.