Widening Horizons
See further, dream bigger
We believe every student deserves the chance to dream big and achieve more. By bringing together educators, employers, and communities, we open doors to opportunity and create pathways that empower young people, especially women and underrepresented groups—to pursue higher education, discover their potential, and build brighter futures.
Our Vision
To empower students by inspiring and supporting them to explore diverse career pathways, raise their aspirations, and foster personal growth—from primary school through to college, university, and into their future careers.
With the support of inspiring local role models, Year 6 pupils will take part in an exciting one-hour adventure into the world of work—right here in Teesside.
The session is lively, interactive, and full of games designed to help pupils build confidence and get ready for their big move to secondary school.
Activities may include:
- Career Charades
- Bingo with a Twist
- “Day in the Life” Role Play
- Guess the Career Challenge
- Would You Rather: Work Edition
- Exploring the Careers of the Future
It’s all about fun, imagination, and big ideas—helping pupils explore possibilities and feel excited about the future that awaits them.
Inspiring Careers Sessions for Years 8, 9 & 11
We’re teaming up with local role models and former Prior students to deliver fun, interactive one-hour sessions designed to help pupils feel confident about their next steps.
Years 8 & 9 – The Options Stage
Choosing GCSE subjects can feel like a big decision—so we make it exciting and engaging. Pupils will take part in activities such as:
Career Escape Room – solve clues to unlock different pathways
Career Mash-Up – mix and match roles in surprising ways
Emoji Careers – guess the job from emojis
Future Focus – explore new industries emerging right here in Teesside
Year 11 – Life After GCSEs
As students prepare for their next chapter, we’ll help them explore opportunities through:
Soft Skills for Success – developing the qualities employers value
Local Career Opportunities – discovering what’s on their doorstep
“Gimme 5” Quickfire Q&A – answers to everything they want to know
Creative Engagement – using fun tools like memes to explore career ideas
These sessions are real, relatable, and inspiring—showing every student that with the right choices, skills, and confidence, their futures in Teesside and beyond are full of possibilities.
We’re connecting sixth formers with local role models and ex-Prior students through a one-hour interactive session designed to support their next big steps—whether that’s university, apprenticeships, or entering the world of work.
Year 12 – Pre-University & Apprenticeship Transition
This session builds confidence, opens up opportunities, and helps students think ahead with activities such as:
- “Flip the Script” Interviews – students interview role models to uncover real insights
- Job Market Research – exploring growth industries locally, nationally, and globally
- Self-Worth & Confidence Workshops – recognising their value beyond grades
- “Gimme 5” Quickfire Interactions – five fast questions with every role model
Year 13 – Destinations & Beyond
As students prepare to take their next step, this session offers practical guidance and relatable inspiration through:
- Role Model Talks – honest journeys from people who’ve been there
- Speed Networking – mini-conversations with professionals and ex-students
- Next Steps Support – tips for applications, interviews, and employability skills
- Future Pathways Discussion – exploring routes that align with their aspirations
These sessions aren’t about lectures—they’re about real conversations, practical advice, and relatable stories that leave students feeling ready, confident, and excited for the future.
Our Key Aims
Increase access to higher education for young people from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, particularly women.
Raise awareness of local Degree Apprenticeships for students who wish to pursue alternatives to university.
Provide mentorship and role models through collaboration with successful women and local industry leaders.
Broaden career awareness by introducing students to a wide range of industries in the North East and beyond.
Showcase Teesside as a vibrant place to live, work, and build a future.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join us in raising aspirations and shaping brighter futures.
Redcar & Cleveland College (part of The Education Training Collective)
I work with the engineering department at Redcar & Cleveland College to develop partnerships with engineering firms. This means I can work with companies to complete training needs analysis, working towards closing their skills gaps. My role also involves those same companies working with our current students to enhance the delivery of our curriculum by guide them through career journey’s, offer tours. This role also allows me to work with schools to promote engineering as a career, specifically for girls and underrepresented groups.
My name is Suzanne Barbour and I am a Life Coach.
‘’I wish I had known that at the time!!’’
This is something I have heard and said myself at many times in my life.
As someone who has experienced profound loss, as an Air Force Veteran, a Divorcee and more recently a Cancer Survivor, I wanted to give all of those experiences, lessons and a 20+ year
career in management, coaching and training a purpose and launched Suzanne Barbour Coaching.
Specialising in coaching people through life-changing illnesses and injuries, I offer people instant access to help and guidance at any point in their journey.
Whether they are pre-diagnosis, have just been injured or have gone through physical recovery but are struggling to move forward.
I want everyone who accesses my services to be able to navigate their own unique recovery path with confidence, positivity and even a sense of humour.
Never feeling lost or alone in their experiences like i did, or think later ....“Ugh, I wish I had known that at the time!!”
I also offer short workshops for businesses to help them better understand what it means to return to work after long periods out of the office and what we more we can do as business leaders, manager and co-workers to support our team members back into the work place with confidence and positivity.
www.barbourcoaching.life
I provide my clients with the opportunity to select from a range of responsible holiday options that have been tailor-made to meet their requirements, so that they can reconnect with loved ones during quality time away and enrich their lives through a range of authentic and immersive experiences. They receive personalised service from initial enquiry to their return home, with me taking on all of the work to allow them to be free of the stress of holiday planning. After departure, I make a donation to one of my charity partners on behalf of my clients, in order to support a wildlife, environmental, or social project, helping to make a positive difference to the world through sustainable tourism.
Anna is a qualified chartered accountant who trained in practice but moved into industry preferring being at the heart of making businesses successful.
Anna spent some years working in the construction industries at a project level adding to her finance knowledge by learning more about people management, health and safety and environmental aspects.
In 2023 Anna won the award of Northeast accountant of the year and decided to take a leap of faith and set up her own business. She now helps organisations with financial matters which include business plans, cash flow management, risk analysis and year end processes.
Claire, a Teesside University graduate and the inaugural Tees Businesswoman of 2018, previously served as the Commercial Director of North Yorkshire Education Services and led Lexonik's national and international expansion. With over 30 years of experience in management, she volunteers in leadership roles for various organisations, including Chair of the Halo Project and Director of the Open North Foundation. Her mission is to bridge the gap between education and business, breaking down gender stereotypes and empowering individuals through targeted programmes, workshops, and events, with a call for collective involvement.
Ruby Merrick is The Conscious Crone, an holistic therapist and life coach based in Hartlepool.
Ruby has spent many years working in the corporate worlds of retail, insurance, sales, and banking. She has also worked within the NHS and had fundraising roles for two hospice charities.
This alongside raising two daughters and supporting,, and caring for close family members through depression, ill health and bereavement.
Following an emotional breakdown in 2017, Ruby took time to reevaluate her life and this sent her in a completely different direction, including dog walking along the way.
A wise women weaving wisdom
As the Campaign Manager at POW Sophie brings a wealth of marketing experience and a deep commitment to community impact. Prior to joining, she played a pivotal role in impactful marketing campaigns at the national charity Shaw Trust. Sophie is enthusiastic about her role, saying, "I'm inspired to make a meaningful impact in the local community, working with the POW team to empower young people and women, helping them realise their full potential."
She's passionate about ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed and is dedicated to strengthening the community through collaboration with local and national businesses.
