On 17th November 2025, the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre in Scunthorpe hosted a workplace experience for 25 Year 10 students from St Hugh’s School (SEND) and Baysgarth School (mainstream). Organised by Hayley Beardmore, Enterprise Coordinator for the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub, the day gave students hands-on insights into the creative sector, linking real-world tasks to curriculum learning and employability skills.
For employers, initiatives like this show how engagement with schools can raise awareness of career pathways, nurture future talent, and strengthen the local workforce.
Designing an Inclusive and Practical Experience
The programme was designed to meet diverse learning needs, ensuring full participation from every student. Gallery tours and career talks used visual prompts, simplified language, and printed guides. Creative workshops were delivered by H&ME, Sarah Everatt and allowed students to choose materials and techniques at their own pace, while mixed groups encouraged teamwork and gave SEND learners structured roles. Flexible reflection tools (digital or paper-based) accommodated different literacy and sensory needs.
This approach ensured meaningful engagement for all, building confidence and transferable skills while providing insight into professional creative roles.
Connecting Learning to Careers
This event was important because it provided students with real-world exposure to the creative sector, which is often underrepresented in traditional career education. By using the Equalex framework, the experience went beyond simple awareness, enabling students to explore roles across gallery operations, curation, education, and community engagement, experiencing the breadth of careers in the creative sector. They also met artist Fred Garland, whose exhibition highlights the underrepresentation of women in public statues. Fred’s career journey demonstrated how creative careers can combine impact, innovation, and social relevance.
"Our students had the opportunity to delve into the diverse world of job roles within the arts sector. This engaging experience allowed them to discover the variety of professional paths available beyond being artists themselves, broadening their understanding of how creative spaces operate behind the scenes and thrive."
Natalie Osgar, Student Engagement Officer at Baysgarth School
"It’s been a wonderful experience; all the students were fully engaged."
Mrs Suzanna Brown, Teaching Assistant at St Hugh’s
Real Benefits for Students and Employers
For employers, workplace experiences like this deliver multiple advantages. Students gain early exposure to a sector, develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, and engage in hands-on activities that build confidence. Employers benefit from enhanced visibility, strengthened school relationships, and the chance to demonstrate social responsibility through inclusive opportunities.
In the short term, students leave with clearer understanding of creative careers, improved confidence, and strengthened practical and collaborative skills. Long-term benefits include broader aspirations, reduced misconceptions about creative work, and increased participation in sectors that might otherwise feel inaccessible.
How Employers Can Make an Impact?
The 20-21 Visual Arts Centre shows that employer-led engagement can be high-impact without heavy resource demands. Thoughtfully designed experiences inspire students, build essential skills, and expose them to career pathways they may not otherwise encounter.
By opening your workplace and sharing expertise, your organisation can shape young people’s aspirations, strengthen the local talent pipeline, and position itself as a leader in workforce development and community engagement.
Ready to get involved? Start small, your expertise and insight are enough to make a meaningful difference. Contact the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub to explore how your business can deliver a workplace experience: GLCareersHub@lincolnshire.gov.uk