Now that exams are over for Year 12, students' timetables were collapsed in order to provide an opportunity to take part in a variety of different activities to develop new skills for their future career plans.

Now that AS exams are over for Year 12, students' timetables were collapsed in order to provide an opportunity to take part in a variety of different activities. The various days allowed the development of new skills and provided support for their future career plans.

On Monday Year 12 took part in Ethical Issues Day which permitted discussion and debate on various topics from capital punishment to bull fighting. On Tuesday there was the opportunity to take part in a curriculum experience including cooking on a budget and a visit to the Prison and Police Museum in Ripon were just some of the activities on offer.

On Wednesday students took part in Next Steps Day. Students selected 6 workshops from an employment and university programme based round their career aspirations. The year group then used the afternoon to start familiarising themselves with the UCAS website or making a start on their draft CV. Students had previously had the opportunity to apply for the 'Promoting Yourself' event which was led by former student and BBC presenter Steph McGovern.

The forty students who successfully gained a place on this programme worked with Steph all day on Thursday to improve their interview technique. These skills were put into practice on Friday as all students were interviewed by business guests within the chosen career field of the student. Dame Tani Grey-Thompson and Cheryl Taylor, Controller of CBBC at the BBC, gave inspirational key-note speeches which were full of advice and tips on how to benefit in an interview. Fern Alton, Zunera Baig and Sam Elliott were the successful students who will travel to London in September for a 2 day reward visit as a result of their successful interviews.

Year 12 students now embark on a 3 week period where they undertake projects in all of their subjects that will prepare them for Year 13. The end of that period coincides with the start of next year's timetable and the new Year 12 students on their Bridging Week experience.