On Tuesday, 16th June 2026, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QE) warmly welcomed Year 10 pupils for a highly successful and insightful Taster Day. This annual event, a key part of the school's Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme, provided pupils with a valuable and immersive glimpse into post-16 academic life, specifically exploring both A-level and vocational pathways.

Throughout the engaging day, pupils had the unique opportunity to interact directly with experienced college staff and step into the shoes of sixth-form college students. They participated in a diverse range of hands-on activities, diving into lessons such as Law, Business & Economics, English, Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Politics, and Sport & Leisure. The immersive taster sessions truly brought learning to life, allowing pupils to test out blood pressure monitors in Health and Social Care, explore aviation safety and emergency gear in Travel and Tourism, collaborate on interactive workshops, and even sample some creative decision-making displays.

This firsthand experience was designed to offer crucial insights, helping them understand what a further education environment at QE genuinely entails and how it differs from their current Key Stage 4 studies. The ultimate aim was to demystify the transition, making the prospect of college life more tangible and exciting for the pupils.

Mrs Porritt, Risedale’s Careers Coordinator, expressed her enthusiasm for the pupils' participation: "I was incredibly impressed with our Year 10 pupils on their Taster Day. Their behaviour, engagement, and RESPECT were exemplary throughout the visit. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and listen to their discussions about the next steps on their CEIAG journey. Their active participation is so important as they will soon be navigating crucial decisions during the remainder of Year 10 and into Year 11, all of which are designed to prepare them for their future academic and career paths."

The Taster Day serves as a vital component of the wider CEIAG programme, empowering pupils to make informed choices about their post-16 education. By experiencing the college atmosphere, exploring the campus, and engaging with actual course content firsthand, they are better equipped to consider their options and plan their academic futures with confidence.

A huge thank you to Mrs Harris, Mrs Niblett and Mr Metcalfe for accompanying the trip and supporting the pupils throughout the day. Our thanks also go to everyone at QE for hosting such a fantastic day—and well done, Year 10, you were a credit to the school!

For more information about CEIAG at Risedale School, please visit our dedicated website page: Careers.

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