Hands-On Health Careers Exploration at Academy 360 for National Careers Week

As part of our celebrations for National Careers Week, Academy 360 was delighted to welcome the MELISSA Bus (Mobile Educational Learning Improving Simulation Safety Activities). This innovative mobile learning unit gave students a valuable opportunity to explore careers in the health sector through hands-on, interactive experiences.

Our Health and Social Care students were invited to visit the MELISSA Bus alongside Miss Quinn. Inside, they met Ollie, a high-fidelity simulation manikin used in NHS staff training. With the ability to breathe, blink, and vocalise, Ollie offered pupils an engaging insight into how frontline healthcare professionals learn to respond to real-life scenarios and patient needs.

In addition, students took part in the inflatable Brainarium experience, an immersive installation designed to educate about neurological health. Pupils explored a range of neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, dementia, migraine, and brain tumours. The interactive nature of the experience helped students better understand how the brain works and the importance of research, awareness, and care in these fields.

This event forms part of Academy 360’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality careers education and employer engagement, supporting students to make informed choices about their future pathways. The MELISSA Bus offered a powerful insight into the diverse roles within the NHS and health sciences, inspiring many of our students to consider a career in healthcare.