This year’s two-day Higher Education conference gave students in the Lower Sixth the chance to find out more about the opportunities available to them after they leave Stockport Grammar.

The conference is organised to help students with their forthcoming applications for University, Higher and Degree level apprenticeships and the world of work. It is delivered through a collaborative approach between University representatives, visiting speakers and SGS staff.  

We were extremely grateful to welcome back into school a number of Old Stopfordians who spoke about their career experiences:

Craig Parsons (OS 2017) and Ben Haigh (OS 2014) headed to a Physics lab to talk about engineering.

Craig, who studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Nottingham, now works at Solid Solutions whilst Ben, who is a Materials Scientist at Renishaw Additive Manufacturing, studied Materials Engineering at Swansea University.

Software Engineer and Durham University graduate Sam Arrowsmith (OS 2013) talked about Mathematics,

Katie Hicks (OS 2020) spoke to students in Woodsmoor about her time studying Classical Civilisation at the University of Warwick, and Megan Callaghan (OS 2021) was in the Sports and Technology Centre to speak about apprenticeships having taken part in a Project Management Degree Apprenticeship with Siemens via University of Cumbria.

Solicitor Daisy Clear, Physiotherapist Ady Bevan, Architect Joe Ingham and University of Lancaster medical student Zainab Kolia also spoke about their chosen study and career paths.

This year, for the first time since the pandemic, parents were invited into school at the end of day two for an evening of staff-led presentations linked to the conference sessions delivered to the students. Student finance, admissions tests and succeeding in the EPQ were just some of the topics addressed, alongside parents having the opportunity to meet and discuss with their son or daughter’s UCAS Adviser.

Reflecting on the 2024 conference, Head of Sixth Form Mr David Stone said:

“The Higher Education conference is invaluable in assisting the students to get their head around what they can do once they receive their A-level results. Parents also have an important opportunity to consider how to best support their sons and daughters in looking ahead to life beyond school. The tips and advice that the Old Stops, visiting speakers, university representatives, and SGS staff members gave were really useful and mean that students and parents can approach their plans for life beyond SGS with confidence. Thank you to everyone involved over both days.”