Giving Back at Highlands School: Helping Year 11s Choose Their Next Step

Giving back matters. I recently spent a morning with Year 11 students at Highlands School, Enfield, talking about choices after GCSEs—college, sixth form, apprenticeships, first jobs—and how to turn uncertainty into momentum. Some knew their path. Some didn’t (yet). Both paths are okay. What students do need is early exposure to real stories, real briefs, and real feedback from people already in the world they’re about to enter.

This post turns that session into a simple guide you can share with a young person who’s figuring things out.

Three messages I shared with Year 11

1) Curiosity beats certainty. You don’t have to know your “forever job.” Try things, notice what energises you, and iterate.

2) Skills > labels. Instead of worrying about titles, build proof: a tiny project, a pitch, a one-page portfolio. Showing your work unlocks opportunities.

3) Ask for help. Mentors, mock interviews, and honest feedback change everything. Most professionals are happy to help if you ask politely and show initiative.

4) Don't rule out your options. Always have a plan B and/ or C.

5) Always research your choices before going full speed ahead.

Practical next steps (for students & parents)

University & college routes

• UCAS – course search, deadlines, personal statement tips: https://www.ucas.com

• National Careers Service – job profiles, skills assessments: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

Apprenticeships & vocational

• Find an apprenticeship (Gov.UK) – live vacancies across England: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

• Amazing Apprenticeships – how apprenticeships work, parent guides: https://amazingapprenticeships.com

Not sure what to choose? Start here

• Prospects – “What can I do with my degree?” style career maps: https://www.prospects.ac.uk

• Not Going to Uni – vocational and training routes: https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

Extra confidence boosters

• Speakers for Schools – talks & work experience: https://www.speakersforschools.org

• Young Enterprise – build a mini-business with a team: https://www.young-enterprise.org.uk

Tip: pick one route to test in the next 2–3 weeks (a campus open day, an apprenticeship search, or a small project). Action beats anxiety.

For schools and local partners in Enfield & London

Careers education lands best when it’s practical and honest. A few things that worked well at Highlands:

• Live portfolio teardown: quick feedback on layout, clarity and “what’s the point?”

• Mini brief: students created an idea in 15 minutes, then pitched it.

• “Routes in” stories: university, apprenticeships, and career switchers—so everyone hears a path that sounds like them.

  
  

If you’re a school in Enfield or Greater London, I’m happy to run a short, interactive session on branding, packaging design, and creative careers—tailored for Year 10–13. It’s hands-on, plain English, and focused on decision-making, not jargon.

Why this matters (and how Let’s Tailor Design fits)

I run Let’s Tailor Design, a London design agency focused on brand identity, packaging design, artworking and marketing assets. Bringing that real-world lens into the classroom helps students see how ideas become products on shelf and campaigns online—and what skills actually get hired.

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How can Let's Tailor Design help?

• Schools & community groups: Want a guest talk or a practical mini-workshop? Book a free intro call here: Contact us

• Parents & students: Get the 1-page “Next Steps for Year 11” checklist (CV tips, interview prep, portfolio starter).

• Local businesses: If you can offer a day shadowing, a mock interview, or a short brief, message me—let’s build a simple pathway for Enfield’s young people.