The programme is now in its sixth year! During that time, it has supported more than 600 students across Co-op Academies Trust.

Reach gives students the chance to work alongside local businesses. They visit workplaces, meet professionals and take part in real-life tasks. They also receive one-to-one mentoring throughout the programme.

As part of Reach, students work towards up to five AQA Employability Certificates. These qualifications have been developed especially for Co-op Academies Trust to help students build skills for the future.

The celebration event recognised everything students had achieved this year. They were presented with their certificates in front of staff, families and employer partners.

Students also heard from Immanuel, founder of Aim A Little Higher. He shared his own experiences and encouraged students to aim high, whatever their background.

A huge thank you goes to our employer partners. This year's programme was supported by Mitie, NIC, Bunzl, Balfour Beatty, GXO and Buro Happold. Their support gave students valuable insight into the world of work and helped create experiences they will remember for years to come.

The Reach programme continues to grow. Next year, we're looking forward to welcoming DHL as a new employer partner, alongside Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams, which will be joining the programme for the first time.

Congratulations to every student who completed the Reach programme this year.  And thank you to all of our employer partners for helping make these opportunities possible.