Careers Hub Impact Story | Sandy Secondary School

Home

About

Executive Principal's Welcome Values & Ethos Our Vision Governing Body Equality Objectives

Key Information

News

Calendar Latest News Letters Home

Admissions

School Admissions In Year Admissions Sixth Form Admissions

Curriculum

Curriculum Teaching & Learning Functional Skills

Staff Vacancies Contact Us Parents Students

Sixth Form

Welcome to Sixth Form Sixth Form Courses Application Enrichment Next Steps Sixth Form Attendance Transport

Careers

Careers Careers Charter Destination & Retention Data Information for Parents Information for Teachers Parents Guide to Unifrog Provision & Achievements Student Resources

Staff

Careers Talk from LEGO Senior Strategy Director

As part of our commitment to providing meaningful careers encounters, Sandy Secondary School welcomed James Whatley, Senior Strategy Director at LEGO, to speak to our Media Studies and Business students from Years 11, 12 and 13.

James spoke to students about his career progression from school, through working on an app, then moving into advertising working for prestigious companies, right up to his current senior role at LEGO today. His talk was about general careers progression and how to make the most of the skills and aptitudes that you have, rather than being a specific pathway that students can directly follow.

The talk was organised by our Head of Media Studies, Di Harrison, through a contact at school who connected us with the charity Working Options in Education. They introduced us to James Whatley and we booked him to come into school to speak to students face to face.

The aims of the talk were to inspire students to look for exciting and demanding employment, to build their aspirations and show them different roles and opportunities that they might not have previously considered. The visit supports Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers) and Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees).

Benchmark 4

Linking curriculum learning to careers

Benchmark 5

Encounters with employers and employees

Years 11, 12 & 13

Media Studies and Business students

Working Options

Partnered with Working Options in Education charity

Career Progression & Real-World Inspiration

An Unconventional Path

James spoke about his career progression from school, through working on an app, then moving into advertising for prestigious companies, right up to his current role at LEGO. His journey showed students that careers don't always follow a conventional route.

Skills, Talent & Determination

The talk focused on how to make the most of the skills and aptitudes you have. James was really inspirational and the students were very engaged, learning about being determined and working hard to reach a senior position.

Wider Career Horizons

Students now have a wider view of jobs they could consider which link to their Media Studies work. The talk broadened their understanding of roles and opportunities they might not have previously considered.

Impact & Reflections

James was really inspirational and the students were very engaged during the talk. It was entertaining and insightful, and they learned a lot about being determined and working hard to get to a senior position.

Students now have a wider view of jobs that they could consider which link to their Media Studies work. The talk broadened their understanding of careers in advertising, strategy and the creative industries — roles and opportunities that many had not previously considered.

As one of our teachers reflected: “The speaker was really entertaining and honest. He had not followed a conventional route to get where he is today but had used his skills, talent and determination to achieve his goals. It was great to see how the students could identify with some of the challenges he faced and how he overcame them.”

This case study was produced for the South Midlands Careers Hub in January 2026, documenting the impact of employer engagement activities at Sandy Secondary School.

I now know that careers can be changed suddenly and may not follow your expected path.

Student Sandy Secondary School

I can consider multiple career paths based on what I enjoy doing.

Student Sandy Secondary School

Explore Careers at Sandy

Discover more about our careers programme, employer partnerships and how we prepare students for the world of work.

Back to Careers

Careers Hub Impact Story South Midlands Careers Hub — Sandy Secondary School Careers Talk from LEGO Senior Strategy Director As part of our commitment to providing meaningful careers encounters, Sandy Secondary School welcomed James Whatley, Senior Strategy Director at LEGO, to speak to our Media Studies and Business students from Years 11, 12 and 13. James spoke to students about his career progression from school, through working on an app, then moving into advertising working for prestigious companies, right up to his current senior role at LEGO today. His talk was about general careers progression and how to make the most of the skills and aptitudes that you have, rather than being a specific pathway that students can directly follow. The talk was organised by our Head of Media Studies, Di Harrison, through a contact at school who connected us with the charity Working Options in Education. They introduced us to James Whatley and we booked him to come into school to speak to students face to face. The aims of the talk were to inspire students to look for exciting and demanding employment, to build their aspirations and show them different roles and opportunities that they might not have previously considered. The visit supports Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers) and Benchmark 5 (encounters with employers and employees). Career Progression & Real-World Inspiration Impact & Reflections James was really inspirational and the students were very engaged during the talk. It was entertaining and insightful, and they learned a lot about being determined and working hard to get to a senior position. Students now have a wider view of jobs that they could consider which link to their Media Studies work. The talk broadened their understanding of careers in advertising, strategy and the creative industries — roles and opportunities that many had not previously considered. As one of our teachers reflected: “The speaker was really entertaining and honest. He had not followed a conventional route to get where he is today but had used his skills, talent and determination to achieve his goals. It was great to see how the students could identify with some of the challenges he faced and how he overcame them.” This case study was produced for the South Midlands Careers Hub in January 2026, documenting the impact of employer engagement activities at Sandy Secondary School.