Back at Stowe School speaking with their 6th Form students

Outside Stowe School

It was a real pleasure for Dale to be back at Stowe School this week, speaking to their Sixth Form students about Degree Apprenticeships.

As part of the school’s careers afternoon, he delivered a keynote session and hosted a stand at the careers fair....and admitted that, seeing myself on a poster was a bit of a surreal moment!

But for Dale, it says something important: when schools like Stowe are giving Degree Apprenticeships real space and visibility, it reflects just how much this pathway has grown in both popularity and credibility.

The careers fair was open to parents as well as students, and he was genuinely encouraged by how many parents made a beeline for the stand to find out more about Degree Apprenticeships for their son or daughter.

After the talk, Dale spent time answering 1-2-1 questions from students, but the conversations didn’t stop there. Walking back across the school grounds, students continued discussing career paths, applications and opportunities with me.

Over the past two years, he has seen a significant increase in interest from independent schools in Degree Apprenticeships, recognising that this pathway offers:

💷 A fully funded route to a degree

🤝 Access to leading employers and universities

💼 Real-world experience alongside academic study

🎯 A credible, competitive alternative to the traditional university route

The momentum is real, and it’s only building.

If your school would like to explore how My Great First Job and Dale can help raise awareness of Degree Apprenticeships, support students with applications, and equip parents with the right information, we would love to have a conversation.

Huge thanks to Luciane Guntner and Dr. Gordon West for making this happen.

Looking forward to seeing you both again in the Summer.

#degreeapprenticeships #independentschool