Macmillan Academy, through the Endeavour Foundation, has recently expanded its cross-sector partnerships with a range of local businesses, deepening its commitment to preparing students for future career opportunities in the Tees Valley and beyond.

A key part of this initiative is the Futures Group, one of the collaborative strands under the Endeavour Convening Partnership. This group recently delivered a well received Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event for Macmillan Academy teaching staff, bringing real world expertise from local business and industry directly into the school.

The session focused on developing staff understanding of the current employment landscape and the crucial role teachers play in guiding students toward future careers. Business representatives emphasised the value of subject knowledge in helping students make clear connections between what they study in the classroom and the careers those subjects can lead to.

In response to the session, many teachers have begun revising future schemes of work to integrate the insights and knowledge shared. This ensures that lessons remain relevant and inspiring, linking curriculum content to real world applications and local career pathways.

The event also featured contributions from several university partners who reinforced the importance of lifelong learning and how the ability to study at degree level opens doors across a wide range of sectors, not just those directly related to a student’s chosen subject.

The CPD event was a resounding success, well supported by staff, business leaders, university partners, and other educational institutions. It marks a significant step forward in the Trust’s mission to connect education with meaningful employment pathways and reflects a growing commitment to collaboration across sectors in the region.