Opportunities in and near Fleet

This fashion design class introduces students to the basics of sewing and pattern making. Participants learn how to use a sewing machine and create patterns tailored to their own measurements, with instruction paced individually so each student can build skills at their own speed. The class is practical and hands-on, giving students the chance to work with sewing equipment, develop foundational techniques, and explore garment-making in a small-group setting. Students may bring their own sewing machines and tools, or use those provided in class. An essential kit of tools and materials is required, though full details are confirmed upon booking. Fabrics are not included in the class, and places are limited to a maximum of six students.

Activate Learning’s FE bursary scheme provides financial support to help students complete their course when costs would otherwise be a barrier. The bursaries can help with travel, meals, childcare, accommodation, course materials, protective clothing, UCAS fees, and essential trips, with support assessed against eligibility and financial need.

The scheme includes different bursary routes for 16-18 students, 19+ learners, students in defined vulnerable groups, childcare support, accommodation support, travel support, meal credits, and help with course costs. Some support is targeted at students on funded FE courses, while apprenticeships are excluded from the main bursary scheme.

Applications are completed online using the Apply Now form and must be submitted with all required evidence. The college says awards are based on individual circumstances, decisions are normally confirmed within four weeks, and appeals can be made in writing if an application is unsuccessful.

The University of Surrey Undergraduate Open Days 2026 invite prospective undergraduate applicants to explore the Surrey campus, discover courses and specialist facilities, and make informed choices about where to study. Visitors are asked to book the session that matches the subject they are interested in. Multiple open day sessions are scheduled across the autumn (12 September, 11 October and 7 November 2026), with some dates excluding specific courses. At an open day you can expect subject talks, drop-in areas and opportunities to explore teaching spaces and specialist facilities. You will be able to meet students and staff to ask questions, visit accommodation to get a sense of student life, and learn about placements, industry links and the support Surrey offers to help you succeed. Book online via the University of Surrey open days booking page to reserve your place.

Italia Conti's Classical Ballet Intensive is an immersive pre-vocational summer course delivered at Italia Conti, 2 Henry Plaza, Woking. The week-long programme (9am-5pm each day) gives aspiring dancers a realistic insight into vocational ballet training aligned with the ethos of the BA (Hons) Dance degree. Participants follow a full-time vocational timetable with a central focus on classical ballet and supporting classes in jazz and contemporary. Sessions are tailored to ability and may include general & advanced ballet, body conditioning for ballet, virtuosity, pointe work, pas de deux, solo and group repertoire, jazz performance and contemporary technique. The week culminates in an informal studio sharing for family and friends. The course is ideal for dancers considering full-time vocational or higher-education training in dance, or for those wishing to deepen an existing ballet foundation. Booking is made via the Italia Conti product pages; fees are inclusive of VAT and a discount is available for current Associate School students.

The Reading Scholars Programme gives Year 12 students a real taste of life as a university undergraduate and provides practical support as participants begin their higher education application process. The programme features input from leading academics, current undergraduate e-mentors and university alumni, and is designed to challenge participants academically and enhance their current studies. The programme takes place in-person at the University of Readings Whiteknights campus and comprises four events across the academic year. These events include subject masterclasses led by academics, a Student Experience Day in February, a study skills session and a two-day summer school. Events typically run from 09:30 to 15:30, and transportation costs are covered in advance for participating students. Eligibility requires Year 12 study, at least five GCSEs at grades A* - C and being on course for good A-Level grades (around BBB or equivalent). Priority is given to applicants with no parental experience of higher education and those living in identified postcode areas. Participants who later apply to the University of Reading are guaranteed either an invite to interview or a conditional offer, and those who firmly choose Reading may apply for a £1,000 Scholars bursary in their first year.

Justin Craig's Residential Summer School 2026 is a five-day residential revision programme designed for current Year 10 and Year 12 students. The course is delivered in partnership with Queen Anne's School and is hosted in a scenic boarding-school environment on the Surrey/Berkshire border, with an additional day-centre option in central London. The programme balances focused academic revision with supervised leisure and social activities in a supportive boarding setting. GCSE students attend one-day sessions in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths and either English Language or English Literature. A-level students participate in an intensive five-day course concentrated on their chosen subject, emphasizing knowledge development, exam technique and targeted revision. Teaching takes place in school facilities with dedicated study spaces to support individual learning. The residential programme begins on Sunday afternoon with arrivals and an ice-breaker. Catering is provided on-site (breakfast and dinner at Michell House; lunch in the main school restaurant). Planned evening and late-afternoon activities include swimming, tennis, outdoor cinema, silent disco, a murder-mystery evening, BBQ and a campfire. Common rooms and quiet computer/study rooms are available for relaxation and independent study. Two centre options are available: Michell House at Queen Anne's School (Michell House, 22 Derby Road, Caversham, Berkshire, RG4 6DX) and a day centre at Queen's Gate House (65-67 Queen's Gate, South Kensington, London, SW7 5JS). Prospective participants are invited to contact Justin Craig course advisors via the website to find course options and to book.

University of Surrey campus tours give prospective students and visitors the chance to explore the Stag Hill (and, by arrangement, Manor Park) campuses with current student ambassadors. Visits typically begin with a 45-minute welcome talk covering student life, finance and accommodation, followed by smaller guided groups led by trained student ambassadors. Tours last approximately one hour and take place mostly outdoors, so visitors are advised to dress appropriately for the weather. If you are interested in veterinary medicine, graduate-entry medicine or other health sciences taught at Manor Park, the University will arrange a bespoke Manor Park tour on request (contact study@surrey.ac.uk). International visitors who cannot make scheduled tours can ask for an individual visit by emailing international@surrey.ac.uk up to one month before their preferred date. Tickets allow one guest in addition to the registrant. Further booking and open day information is available via the University of Surrey events/registration links.

The National Film & Screen Saturday Club introduces young people aged 13-16 to opportunities across the film and screen industries. Sessions combine creative thinking and technical skills to help participants explore directing, cinematography, editing, sound design, VFX and animation. Club members take part in practical workshops covering filming, editing, sound and lighting, and develop transferable skills such as production planning, budgeting and creative problem-solving. Members will also take part in national events including masterclasses with industry professionals and the Summer Show, where Saturday Clubs nationwide exhibit their work in a public exhibition. Materials for sessions are provided by the club; participants are asked to bring a snack and refreshments. By enrolling at Activate Learning you will be part of the National Saturday Club and the data of enrolled members will be shared with the National Saturday Club for administrative purposes. The programme aims to open doors to further education and career pathways in the creative industries after GCSEs.

Surrey County Archaeological Unit offers a range of volunteering opportunities across fieldwork and post-excavation activities. Summer community projects include excavations, surveys and field walking; no previous experience is needed and training is provided. Volunteers can join digs during the warmer months to gain hands-on experience in archaeological field techniques.

Year-round Wednesday sessions are held at the Surrey History Centre in Woking, focused on processing finds and samples; these sessions run 11:00-16:00 and require booking. The unit also provides limited work experience placements targeted at students in Year 11, sixth form and college, and publishes career resources online for those considering heritage and archaeological careers.

To get involved or for further details about placements, sessions and summer projects, contact the Surrey County Archaeological Unit directly. Note that placement availability can be limited, so early enquiries are recommended.

Blake Morgan is a UK law firm offering a range of opportunities for students interested in exploring a legal career. The page brings together insight days and work experience across legal practice and legal operations, giving participants a chance to learn about the firm, meet lawyers and support staff, and see how different teams work together. The legal insight day is designed for students in Year 11 or beyond. Participants hear about legal career pathways, receive application and interview tips, complete a research activity, and speak to members of the legal team. A separate legal operations insight day focuses on roles that support the wider firm, including business services such as finance, IT, HR, marketing and compliance. Blake Morgan also offers legal work experience for undergraduates and graduates, with placements running over two weeks during the year. Students spend time in different practice groups doing research, drafting and other fee-earning tasks, while working closely with trainees, qualified lawyers and partners. A legal operations work experience week is also available, giving insight into support functions across the business. Travel and accommodation are not reimbursed for attendees.

Smart Futures is a youth programme run by the EY Foundation that combines paid work experience, interactive employability skills training and mentoring for young people in Year 12 (England) or S5 (Scotland). The programme is run with employer partners and is designed to give participants practical insight into different industries and working environments while building transferable skills and confidence.

Participants take part in up to two weeks of employability training and workshops, receive a business mentor who supports them through the programme and beyond, and complete paid work experience placements during school holidays. Programmes are industry-specific in some locations (for example Business & Finance, Tech Futures, STEM Futures, Real Estate Futures, Data/Actuarial streams) but are suitable for young people unsure of their exact career path.

Smart Futures runs across many UK locations (including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Bradford, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Reading and Luton) with multiple term-time, February, Easter, spring and summer cohorts. Applications are via an online form and shortlisted applicants are invited to a short telephone interview.

Tune Supply’s online "Dance the Tune" workshop with Nic Gareiss explores the musical potential of percussive step dance. Through imitation, idiomatic ornaments, and extended techniques for shoe sounds and textures, participants learn how to shape rhythm lines that echo melody and create rhythmic counterpoint, while developing listening, responsiveness, and sonic awareness.

The workshop is designed for dancers and interested instrumentalists of all levels. It is taught by ear and recorded for registered students, so you can join live or catch up later. Participants should wear comfortable smooth-soled shoes with a low or no heel to get the most from the session.

Hearing the Archive is an online Tune Supply workshop led by Cleek Schrey that explores how contemporary traditional musicians can learn from historic audio and digitized field recordings. The session focuses on listening deeply to archival sound, identifying what counts as musical information, and translating older styles into present-day playing.

Participants will take part in shared listening, close analysis of specific historic performances, and practical discussion of the technical, technological, and aesthetic challenges of working with archive recordings. The workshop is designed for players of all melody instruments and all levels, and it is presented in a way that welcomes both new and experienced participants.

Attendees receive a curated roadmap of historic performances, a resource guide for finding online traditional music archives, and a framework for turning style, tone, and inflection from old recordings into usable ideas in their own music-making. Registered students also receive the class recording after the session, so they can revisit the material later.

This online Tune Supply workshop focuses on building strong tune sets for traditional music performance and session playing. Participants will explore how to construct consonant sets by paying attention to keys, moods, and the movement from one tune to the next, including both seamless and more dramatic transitions.

The session draws on historic sets as a template, but it is also highly practical and participant-led: learners will work with family favourites and ideas shared in the Zoom room. The workshop is suitable for all melody instruments, and accompanying players may also find useful material for their own playing.

The class is taught by ear and is open to all levels. Registered students receive the recording after the workshop, so it can be useful both for live participation and later review.

This workshop looks at the music of Pádraig O’Keeffe through his manuscript notation and the slides and polkas that have come down through the Sliabh Luachra tradition. It introduces the ideas behind his notation methods and how his bowing directives shape the rhythmic personality of these tune types. Participants will learn a number of tunes from the manuscripts while also gaining context about one of the most influential Irish traditional musicians of the twentieth century. The class combines ear learning with sheet music, and the recording is made available to registered students after the workshop.

This conversational workshop explores the elements that make a beautiful Irish slow air, with an emphasis on listening, discussion, and practical application. Although the class is based around whistle playing, the ideas and techniques are framed so they can be adapted to any musical instrument. Class participation is encouraged throughout, with time for shared reflection and musical exploration. The workshop is taught by ear and includes a recording for registered students, so it can be enjoyed live or revisited later.

This online Tune Supply workshop explores how to build tasteful variations into traditional Irish flute and whistle playing. The session focuses on why tunes often change subtly from one repeat to the next, and how players can use chord structure, rhythmic shifts, and melodic ideas to create variation that still feels authentic and musical.

The workshop goes further into the instrument-specific details that shape variation on flute and whistle, including octave jumps, breathing placement, and characteristic notes such as the hard D and bent C natural. Participants will also look at how these ideas can be applied to specific well-known traditional tunes, making the material practical and directly usable in performance or session settings.

The class is suitable for flute and whistle players at all levels, and it is taught in a combination of ear learning and sheet music support. Registered students receive the class recording immediately after the workshop, so it is designed to work both for live attendance and for later viewing.

This workshop focuses on effective chord shapes and progressions for Irish guitar playing in standard and drop-D tuning. The class is centred on building ease and fluidity in accompaniment, with an emphasis on supporting traditional Irish music and songs. The session is taught by ear and is designed for players who want practical tools they can use straight away in session or performance settings. A class recording is provided to registered students, making it suitable for both live attendance and later practice.

Lancaster University’s Practical Budgeting webinar is designed for applicant students who are due to commence their studies in the 2026/27 academic year. It introduces practical money-management skills for young people who may be living independently for the first time, covering everyday costs such as meals, rent, household items, toiletries, haircuts and bus tickets. The session aims to help attendees understand how to budget effectively and make smarter spending decisions as they prepare for university life. There will be time at the end for questions, giving applicants the chance to get advice and clarify any concerns about managing money. This is an open event and registration is required. Participants can use an alias when signing up and do not need to switch their camera on, making it easy to attend comfortably and privately.

Mentoring United’s MU Mentorship Programme is a year-long mentoring offer for boys aged 11 to 18 in the UK. It is designed to help students strive for excellence in their studies, careers, and communities through structured support and guidance. The programme includes online group sessions built around the PAGE curriculum, which focuses on purpose, career awareness, good grades, and emotional intelligence. Participants also take part in in-person enrichment trips, one-to-one coaching calls, essay writing feedback, and a personal development report to track each student’s progress. The programme is offered on a rolling basis and spaces are limited.