Yesterday in the Sixth Form Speaker Programme we welcomed James Darley, Founder and CEO of Transform Society and one of the UK’s leading experts in graduate recruitment. With over 25 years of experience, including leading Teach First to become the UK’s largest graduate recruiter, James gave us a fascinating insight into his career and the wider graduate market.

He explained his role in creating pathways for students into both corporate and public service sectors, and shared the latest trends in graduate recruitment, from the sharp rise in applications per role to the growing emphasis employers place on adaptability, resilience, and genuine motivation over simply academic grades.

James also offered clear, practical advice for students preparing for the future: to gain experiences outside the classroom, to develop transferable skills, and to think carefully about what makes each candidate distinctive in such a competitive field. His talk reassured us that career journeys are rarely linear, and that opportunities exist in unexpected places if we remain open and proactive.

It was an engaging and eye-opening session, and we thank James for his valuable guidance and time with us.

Milla N, Upper Sixth