College Open Events happen more than once throughout the year but the main periods are:
Autumn Term (Sept-Dec) aimed predominantly at Year 11s
Summer term (May-July) aimed predominantly at Year 10s
All are welcome at any event. The timings just reflect that in the Autumn term the Year 11s are about to complete their applications.
The summer term is a good time for Year 10s to start thinking about their options, with the ability to return again when they are in Year 11 and about to apply
*SHCG: Eastleigh, Fareham, Southampton City, CEMAST and CETC colleges have all merged to create the South Hampshire College Group
CEMAST - Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training
CETC - Civil Engineering Training Centre
College Assemblies 2026:
16th September - Barton Peveril
23rd September - Peter Symonds
30th September - SHCG (Eastleigh, Southampton, Fareham)
14th October - Sparsholt
4th November - SHCG (CEMAST/CETC)
If you missed any, the PowerPoints from last year are available on the college information page and will be updated with the new ones when available
Get Into Law — a free virtual insight evening
Wednesday 16 September · 5:00–7:00pm · Virtual.
We are really pleased to share a free virtual insight evening for students in Years 11–13 and at university who are considering a career in law. Students will hear directly from 12 international law firms about work experience, in-person events at their offices, and apprenticeship and graduate opportunities. They will also take part in interactive breakout workshops and receive a certificate of attendance.
This is a free opportunity and places will close once capacity is full. All the details for students are below.
Get Into STEM — a free virtual insight evening
Thursday 17 September · 5:00–7:00pm · Online via Zoom.
Young Professionals are really pleased to share a free virtual insight evening for students in Years 11–13 and at university who are considering engineering, energy, technology or consulting. Students will hear directly from EDF, NESO, Arm and PA Consulting about work experience, in-person events at their offices, and apprenticeship and graduate opportunities. They will also take part in breakout workshops and receive a digital certificate of attendance.
This is a free opportunity and places will close once capacity is full. All the details for students are below.
This Year's Careers Talks:
Assemblies:
Monday - Year 7
SHCG - apprenticeship & T Levels
Tuesday - Year 8
PETA - apprenticeships
Weds - Year 11
Bertin Exensor
Apprenticeships & T Levels
Thurs - Year 10
PETA - apprenticeships
Friday - Year 9
SHCG - apprenticeship & T Levels
Assemblies:
Monday - Year 7
Careers in the Police Force
Tuesday - Year 8
Opoprtunities in the construction industry
Weds - Year 11
Careers in transport and engineering
Thurs - Year 10
Protective Services courses and careers
Friday - Year 9
Opportunities in Retail, IT, management etc
Parent/Family/Alumni talks:
During Careers week we were also lucky enough to have approximately 40 parents/family members/alumni come into school to talk to a range of classes about their careers, industries and the pathways they have taken. There was a real careers buzz around the school.
Previous Careers Talks:
Trips & Events:
39 Thornden students got to experience some of the glamour of Formula One! The lucky students and 5 members of staff got up extra early to get to the Experience Centre in Oxford by 8.45!
Students were able to experience the racing simulators across numerous F1 tracks, visit the heritage museum and then take part in a STEM workshop, designing a nose cone that could withstand a high speed collision. They found out about a range of careers in the industry besides the drivers.
We took 11 students to CEMAST and CETC in Fareham to investigate the construction industry. (Centre of Excellence for Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training and the Civil Engineering Training Centre)
Students got to interview construction companies, finding out everything they could in order to present their findings to a panel of industry experts. One of our teams won the best presentation trophy and was invited to an award ceremony at Southampton Solent University.
In the afternoon the students were able to get involved more practically with tools, equipment and machinery, helping them to understand more about different roles in the construction industry.
Members of the British Army came in to spend the morning with our students. They gave a briefing on careers in the army and then set the students a range of team tasks, including using a pack of resources to create a useful product that the students then had to pitch to the soldiers. They also got to try on some of the kit!
Youth Impact: Empowering Young People with Skills, Confidence, and Community Spirit
In response to the government’s decision to end funding for the NCS programme, Your Sports Education has developed an exciting opportunity for young people across the South West and South East of England: the Youth Impact Programme. This dynamic 5-day course is designed to equip teens with essential life skills, boost their confidence, and help them build meaningful connections — all while giving back to their local communities. Best of all, it’s just £99!
So, What Is Youth Impact?
Youth Impact is a 5-day programme (Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm) designed to engage and empower young people aged 15-17 (year 11 or year 12). It’s packed with fun, interactive activities that will help your teen develop new skills, build confidence, and make lasting friendships, all while giving back to the local community. Here’s a sneak peek at what they can expect:
Community Monopoly Challenge: A fun, team-based activity that helps your teen explore and engage with their local community.
Teambuilding Games: Designed to improve communication, leadership, and teamwork, all while having fun.
First Aid Workshop: Practical, life-saving skills that can enhance their CV and give them confidence in emergency situations.
Public Speaking Workshop: Helping your teen develop confidence and presentation skills that will benefit them in school, college, and future careers.
Debates and Discussions: Engaging in important conversations about issues that matter to young people today.
Community Action Project: Your teen will choose a project that allows them to give back to their local community, gaining a sense of achievement and pride in their efforts.
Why Should You Sign Up for Youth Impact?
This programme offers a wide range of benefits that will set your teen up for success — both now and in the future:
Boost their CV: Youth Impact adds valuable skills and experience to their CV, demonstrating initiative, commitment, and community involvement.
Enhance college applications: This programme makes an excellent addition to college applications, showing that your teen is proactive and engaged.
Gain essential life skills: Youth Impact will help improve your teen’s confidence, communication skills, and teamwork — all key to succeeding in education and beyond.
Make new friends: The programme is a great opportunity for your teen to meet like-minded peers they’ll continue to see in college.
Give back to the community: The Community Action Project gives your teen the chance to volunteer and contribute meaningfully to their local area.
It’s fun and rewarding: Beyond the skills they’ll gain, Youth Impact is an enjoyable, action-packed week that your teen won’t forget.
NHS 350+ are offering a range of online work experience courses in a range of different areas within the NHS. Each course is around 50 mins long and contains tasks and quizzes. Areas covered include: catering, communications & PR, facilities & estates, medicine, paramedicine, physiotherapy, speech & language therapy , radiography, nursing, occupational health & prosthesis and orthotist
Springpod are the UK's largest career and university experiential learning provider for young people, they work with multinational companies and universities. Springpod enable young people to try a career or course before they apply.
Click below for a range of virtual work experience opportunities. A certificate of completion is provided at the end of each experience
See below for Springpod's virtual university course list where students can try course topics before they sign up for a full degree.
During term-time, InvestIn deliver 1-day career tasters designed to give students an immersive introduction to their chosen profession. Delivered by top professionals, their Weekend Programmes enable students to gain the foundations of an industry, try their hand at an interactive career simulation, receive career coaching and participate in a live Q&A session. Weekend programmes have two intakes each academic year, with dates available on Sundays in November and March. Students can choose to attend the programme in-person at UCL in London or live online (UK time zone). They are non-residential.
Programmes include: film making, fashion design, veterinary medicine, dentistry, young entrepreneurs, the legal profession, medicine and many more.
In person: £195
Online: £165
SETA stands for Southampton Engineering Training Association Ltd. SETA was established in 1969 and is a registered charity.
The training centre in Millbrook, Southampton has continuously managed apprenticeship programmes and delivers upskilling and engineering training to both apprentices and adults.
They provide accredited, industry-recognised training to an advanced level, delivered by highly experienced staff with vast industry knowledge, and have been playing a key role in developing and transforming workforces for some 50 years.
SETA offer a range of commercial courses for the engineering sector alongside the apprenticeship programmes they deliver
Speakers for School's aim is to level the playing field for young people from state schools and colleges and empower them to reach their potential by providing them with life-changing opportunities that they would otherwise struggle to access. Since their launch in 2010, they have become the largest social mobility charity in the UK. They are committed to delivering high-quality and impactful interventions for state-educated students that will transform lives while also using their influence to champion social mobility and improve diversity in the workplace.
University Courses - 'Try before you Buy'!
If you are considering going to university, Springpod have provided a range of free taster sessions in a host of different subjects. You create an account and can access the resources whenever suits you
These short university experience courses take around an hour to complete and include video content and activities for students to work through.
Springpod are an online career and university exploration platform. They connect students to world-leading employers and universities through online programmes. Through their free virtual experiences, young people can gain the experience, knowledge, and skills they need to take their next steps. Upon completion of a programme students will receive a certificate to reference on their CV and/or Personal Statement.
Click on the document to right to see the most popular subjects, or the button below for the full list of courses
Innovate her is an organisation looking to 'get girls ready for the tech industry and the tech industry ready for girls'
They are are offering a free online course on cyber security, what it is and how it may affect your day to day life. This can be accessed at your convenience