Electives Programme – Sir Thomas Wharton Academy

December 3, 2025

Our exciting Electives programme offers a breadth of opportunity for all our students. Our inspiring provision fosters students’ imagination, broadens their interests, develops their specialisms and offers insights into potential future careers.

Students take part in 12 ten-week blocks over Years 7-9, each supported by supervising staff. During these sessions, students engage directly with local employers across a wide range of industries, giving them authentic encounters with the world of work.

Our enrichment programme is trust wide, and we are developing this into an employer-based encounter. With Electives, we began by working with feeder schools and charities, then expanded to include a diverse range of businesses. Today, we collaborate with 18 employers and providers – both local (such as National Horse Racing College and Go Swim stars) and nationally recognised (such as Flying Futures) – and aim to link every elective to an employer.

Students select four electives from a wide range of options, many of which include hands-on work experience. For example:

• Working with the National Horse Racing College to learn practical stable management.
• Supporting Doncaster Council with tasks such as site furniture installation and woodland habitat improvements.

Employer-led sessions give students a fresh perspective. Hearing directly from professionals makes learning more relevant and engaging, sparking curiosity and encouraging questions in a way that assemblies cannot. This approach has boosted engagement and opened students’ eyes to the variety of industries available – particularly benefiting those who learn best through practical, hands-on experiences.

“The NHC elective covers everything in one – students are enriched by visiting the employer’s workplace and doing a planned Scheme of Work designed to expose students to that industry. As this employer is also a college they also learnt about the pathways into the equine industry.” Activity Leader

“I really like that we get to see a different company with each block we do.” Student

“The work they do with caged steel allows them to realise how the skills they develop go beyond martial arts and can be used in life and careers, especially the sessions with collaborating companies for guest speakers to inspire.” Careers Leader

“The student develops practical skills through their volunteer work with us, whilst giving back to the local community in which they live.” Helping Hands