This week, our Sixth Form students took part in a Skills for Life session with guest speaker James Darley, a leading expert in graduate recruitment and employability.

James shared his insights into the rapidly changing graduate market, helping students understand what employers are really looking for and how to stand out in an increasingly competitive field. The session explored practical topics including LinkedIn, personal branding, and how to build a professional presence long before leaving university.

Students described the talk as “a professional masterclass”, with one reflecting that “getting employed requires a lot more than doing well academically.” Another commented that they had learned “how to be the best candidate when finding a job in the job market”, while others spoke about learning “to utilise networking as a professional tool to gain career opportunities.”

The session was a valuable reminder that success in the modern workplace depends not only on academic achievement, but also on confidence, curiosity, and the ability to connect. Our Sixth Formers left with new motivation and a clearer sense of how to shape their own professional journeys.