Our Year 11s are planning some amazing future careers as they finish their GCSEs.

One though is focusing on a major short-term goal – swimming the English Channel!  Divya wants to go to Newman College to study Sports, Maths and Business A-Levels. However first up is conquering the English Channel as part of her ‘Ocean’s Seven Challenge.’

Divya has already completed the Cataline Channel last year and has two more tough open-water channel swims lined up over the summer.

“The English Channel will be tough as it’s cold conditions, there are jellyfish and it’s a major shipping channel so it’s busy. It’s 23 miles straight across but you end up doing a lot more.  The aim is to do that in July and then swim the North Channel in August.

“In between revising, I have still been training three hours a day so it has been tough!”

Divya has high ambitions: “The youngest person to do all seven oceans is a 20-year-old New Zealand girl so I want to break the world record and do them all by the time I am 19. That’s the plan.”

Molly could be gracing the West End as she has secured a coveted place at The Pendleton School of Theatre – a nationally acclaimed centre for performing arts in Greater Manchester.
“I have a conditional offer. We had to audition which was an acting, dance and singing workshop.”

Molly has taken part in shows for LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) and also all the school productions.

“I want to fulfil my dream. I would like to perform in the West End but also I wouldn’t mind doing some straight acting.”

Head Prefect Hiylie also has her sights set on being famous – whether a DJ or an actress.

Hiylie aims to study drama at Runshaw College although her audition isn’t until July.

She said: “It is stressful having an audition but  we shall see. I do have an agent and have already been on a children’s show on the BBC called High Hoops. I like serious acting. If I don’t make it as an actress though I would like to be a DJ, I have my own kit.”

Seth wants to own his own business and is going to Blackpool College to study Hospitality and Catering Skills Level 2.

He said: “I want to have my own café. I am really good at cooking and I want to develop my skills further. I enjoy it.”

Alana, alongside Harmony, have secured an Apprenticeship at Ashbridge Nurseries.

Alana said: “I want to work with children but it’s a  benefit that we will be earning money straight away too.”

Head Prefect Tarela is following in the footsteps of her parents and going into the medical profession.

“I want to go to Lancaster Grammar School for Girls and do A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. My dad is a pharmaceutical doctor while my mum is a nurse – I want to be a doctor.”

Callum is aiming for a career in sport. “I want to go to Runshaw College and study Sports & Fitness. I play football and I just want a career where sport is involved.”

Taylor is off to Runshaw College to complete a T-Level in Design Engineering as he sees his future on a degree course at BAE Systems.

Yaseen is also keen on engineering. “I want to go to Preston College and do a BTEC Level 3 in Engineering. It’s something I have always wanted to do.”

Jacob is hoping to follow a practical career path and secure a place at Preston College, enrolling on a Level 2 Plumbing course. Having already gained experience working in labouring and field-based roles, he says he finds the work “very interesting” and is looking forward to developing his skills further.

Harry is setting his sights on an engineering apprenticeship, with a clear ambition to specialise in metal fabrication. He is focused on building a strong CV to stand out to employers, already achieving success beyond the classroom. 

He said, “As part of a football team, I became a tournament winner, and I have also represented Great Britain in taekwondo, earning a bronze medal in Moldova.”

Looking ahead, Harry plans to join the police cadets to further strengthen his applications and help secure a top apprenticeship, with the goal of progressing into a full-time engineering role.

From elite sport and performing arts to engineering, healthcare and skilled trades, our Year 11 pupils are leaving with ambition, determination and a wide range of exciting pathways ahead of them. 

Whether continuing in education, starting apprenticeships or pursuing specialist training, they have already shown the commitment and resilience needed to succeed.

We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved during their time with us and look forward to hearing about their future successes in the years to come.