Tuesday 16th May was an exciting learning day based on Work Related Learning and Careers.
Year 7 researched a variety of careers, looking closely at skills, qualities and qualifications linked to jobs. These included an astronaut, an undertaker, a lifeguard, a break dancer and a fitness instructor.
After their research, pupils made a model of their chosen occupation and presented their findings using Drama and Music to a panel of judges.
The Industrial Trust organised visits to industries for year 8. Pupils were given the opportunity to see behind the scenes, speak to employees and find out about each company.
The research included the use of ICT, green issues and employee’s terms and conditions. Year 8 visited Manchester Airport, The Lowry in Salford, DF Packaging, Swann-Morton, Calke Abbey, The Thackery Medical Museum in Leeds, The National Railway Museum, The Source, The National Coal Mining Museum and Ice Sheffield. We are extremely grateful to all the industries and Ann Jamieson of Industrial Trust.
The Music Factory supported our enterprise activity ‘The Event’. Year 9 pupils designed a dance event of their choosing. The themes selected by the pupils included ‘Meat Fest’ and Beach Party. All entries linked their theme to a charity, designed marketing material and presented their bids using performance skills and PowerPoint Presentations.
Other year 9 groups had workshops about further education run by staff via the Aim Higher scheme. These were supported by Rotherham Credit Union Development officers who have Aim Higher sponsorship.
A budgeting task resulted in pupils being awarded vouchers for their inventiveness. The CITB enterprise activity ‘Renovate’ provided Year 9 pupils with regeneration and architectural simulation activity. Pupils demonstrated their enterprise skills by working together to plan and design the renovation of a Victorian derelict building. At the end of the exercise pupils had experienced how to apply scale, health and safety legislation and a good understanding of development of ‘Brownfield’ sites.
The selection of work experience is always taken seriously, to help year 10 students make appropriate selections a series of workshops explaining health and safety, interview techniques and employers’ expectations were undertaken. Parents are invited to a work experience evening on Tuesday 6th June at 6.30 pm in the performance hall.