It’s been a busy half term for our careers department, who have delivered a jam-packed programme of informative talks, interactive workshops and one-to-one advice sessions across the school.
Last month, Oldbury Wells’ Bridgnorth Sixth Form and Kidderminster College came in to hold assemblies for our Year 11s, outlining what they can offer our students after their GCSEs.
The school also relaunched work experience for Year 10 students, as an incredibly valuable opportunity for them to gain an insight into their chosen or potential career paths, and into the world of work.
To kick off the programme, Ben Haynes from Telford & Wrekin Council’s Education Business Links Team (EBL) came in to explain how they work, ensuring businesses offer high-quality placements and carrying out the required health and safety checks to make sure a safe environment is provided to students.
In December, Telford College came in to give a Year 11 assembly about T Levels, the brand-new technical-based alternatives to A Levels, which are due to be introduced in 2023.
Shropshire will be the first place in the country to offer the new qualifications, and Telford College plans to roll out more than 20 different T level options.
Careers Lead, Miss Edwards, said: “The talk was extremely informative and inspired some of our students to have a rethink about their study plans.”
“One student, who hopes to train to be a nurse, definitely wants to find out more about the health T Levels, rather than the usual A Level route.”
“With incredible facilities, which include a fully-function hospital ward, and close links to the Princess Royal Hospital, the Telford College T Level programme is a fantastic option for students hoping to enter this field.”
Next it was the turn of Year 7s and 8s, who were treated to an engaging STEM roadshow delivered by a team working in collaboration with BAE Systems, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Navy.
The 50-minute performance promoted the exciting world of engineering to both boys and girls, and focused on the use of magnets, magnetism and electromagnetism in our everyday life.
On top of the various visits and talks, Year 11s have also had one-to-one careers meetings to discuss their post-16 choices. These sessions are designed to provide help with applications, put students in touch with useful contacts and provide information, advice and guidance to help them make informed decisions.
Bridgnorth Endowed’s careers programme will continue in the new year, with a Year 9 university trip, an apprenticeship talk from SNG Barrett, and a Year 10 trip to MCMT for a tour of its first-class facilities and a masterclass in robotics.
