Careers Fayre

On Thursday 17th October we held our annual Careers Fayre, where over 25 exhibitors and guests joined us in supporting the students to see what options are out there for them. We had a wide range of Sixth Forms for those looking to do their A-Levels and stay in a school environment; Colleges offering a range of academic and technical qualifications and companies offering Apprenticeships for those who want to go straight into work whilst still gaining a qualification. New this year was The Careers Cafe where students could have informal chats with guests and staff about their own careers and the paths they took to get there.

Year 11 were invited to the Fayre during Lesson 5 and there was a real buzz from the students.  Many of them chatted with prospective providers for their Post-16 placements and came away with lots to think about.

At 3.15pm the Fayre was opened up to Years 7-10, and later to parents.  Even though it is a while before they are in Year 11, it was great to see students from the lower years coming in to see what was going on, having chats with the exhibitors, guests and staff. 

We are very proud of our students who handled themselves in a mature and respectful manner and were given lots of compliments regarding their politeness and engaging conversations. Well Done. 

Roll on next year!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our exhibitors for coming to see our students. If you are interested in joining us next year please get in touch by emailing our Careers Lead - cdallimore@barnwoodpark.co.uk. 

Year 9 University Visit

In June, 142 students from Year 9 visited The University of Gloucestershire’s Oxstalls Campus.

GROWS arranged an insight day for the students with activities, a tour and the opportunity to meet and speak with some university students.

The Year 9’s had 3 sessions which included; creating a university student, designing their ideal university campus and a tour of the campus to see what the facilities are like. The students were given a workbook which contained more information and activities for them to do during the day and some reflective exercises for after. They were accompanied by university student ambassadors and were able to ask questions about uni life and the different pathways they took after GCSEs to uni.

EDF Energy Workshop
As a joint Careers and Science initiative, EDF Energy came into school on Wednesday 1st May, to deliver a fun and interactive workshop for Y7 students. It gave them an insight into what it takes to be an engineer and break any preconceptions and stereotypes.

Students learnt about famous female engineers, different types of engineering roles, as well as took part in a competition to build the ‘tallest structure’ from spaghetti and marshmallows! There was learning and fun, with positive feedback from the students who enjoyed the session.

Year 9 Art Workshop
On Thursday 18th January we welcomed Abi Nicol from Create Gloucestershire and Tom Henderson from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College to deliver a full day of workshops to Year 9 students. 

The objectives of the day were:

1. To collaborate and communicate in order to construct.
2. To develop skills in 2D and 3 D Creativity
3. To identify creativity as a method of play

And these were certainly met in full by all the students attending.

The day began with an inspirational assembly delivered by Justin Gregory from The Hereford School of Art, about the role of creativity in the modern world and the importance and growth of creative careers. This was followed by our students participating in a series of one-hour workshops throughout the day led by Abi and Tom with the brief, ‘to build a city’.  It contained all the things they wanted and thought would be useful in a good town. Students contributed towards a collaborative city where they built a variety of shops, restaurants, places to live and pray, sporting venues, a cable car, a windmill, places for entertainment, a spa for relaxation, an airport and if you were feeling unwell a hospital.  Infrastructure was added with roads, bridges and a train track.  Who wouldn’t want to live there?

The city was incredibly creative and gave students the opportunity to explore materials, scale, 3D construction as well as the chance to work intuitively and without constraints. Click here to view all the photos.

We saw the students using their communication skills, negotiation skills, leadership skills, creativity and problem-solving skills, and lots of team work and collaboration.  A myriad of wonderful transferable and useful skills to have in life and in their future careers.  You could certainly see that there are going to be some engineers, architects, designers and leaders of the future.

Our thanks go to Tom Henderson from South Gloucestershire and Stroud college and Abi Nicol form Creative Futures for facilitating such a dynamic workshop.  Thanks also to Haaniya Moolla and Niamh Baggott, students from South Glocuestershire and Stroud college, Miss Wilson, Miss Dallimore and big thanks goes to Mrs Dunford for organising the day for the students.

Apprenticeships with the British Army

"The Army can offer adventure and opportunity to people who want to do something different through a range of amazing apprenticeships.

When you join the Army, you’ll not only learn how to be a world-class soldier or officer, but you’ll continue to develop skills and earn qualifications while you work.

At the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, the Army support 16 and 17 year olds in learning military skills, fitness and education (including English and Maths) so that they’re ready for an apprenticeship and successful career in whichever part of the Army suits them best – all whilst earning a good wage and making friends for life.

Once you’ve finished the course at AFC Harrogate, you’ll move onto your trade training which is where you will learn more about your specific trade. Once you have completed both elements of training, you will be ready to join your unit, as a soldier in the British Army."

Click here for more information.

Fly2Help

"Whether you are considering a career as a Pilot, Engineer, Air Traffic Controller, Airside Operations or Aviation Management, the opportunities are vast.

We are here to help you navigate your way through to your future career pathway.

You can join one of our career taster events, get involved in a week long programme or invite our travelling airport to your school or college! 

Come and meet us online or in person. There are lots of ways to get involved with our Aim High programmes, so contact us today for more information."

Kim Lewington (Programme Manager) at Fly2Help has shared a video of Kirsty Murphy, current Blades Aerobatics Team display pilot. She is ex RAF and Tornado pilot and the first female Red Arrows pilot. She’s also a DfT Ambassador and a truly motivational lady. Click here to watch. 

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TBS Engineering Apprentiships

"Based in Gloucester Business Park TBS provides hands on specialist training, one-to-one mentoring and a chance to explore and experience all areas of the business. TBS are incredibly proud of their Apprenticeship programme and their team of talented individuals it’s produced."

TBS have a range of Technical and Commercial Apprenticeships available at their Gloucester headquarters.

For more information and how to apply, visit - http://www.tbseng.co.uk/apprenticeships 

RAF

Click here to watch webinar recordings.

"We currently more than 20 roles to choose from that come with RAF apprenticeships rated Outstanding by Ofsted. They are available in a broad and diverse range of professions including aviation operations, engineering, hospitality & catering and IT."

Click here for more information.

Remit Training

A leading, national Apprenticeships provider. We’ve worked with over 7000 employers – from big brands that everyone knows like Coca-Cola, The Body Shop, Nandos and Travelodge to name a few, through to local and regional companies, all across the country and we’ve helped over 40,000 apprentices find a career.

We offer over 50 different apprenticeships, designed to support your progressing needs and career goals. Apprenticeships can be studied at a level to suit you, from Level 2 (equivalent to GCSEs) and all the way up to university-level. Click here to apply!

Skyborne

WE’RE NOT JUST AN AIRLINE ACADEMY; WE’RE A MOVEMENT AND WANT YOU TO BE PART OF IT! 

In the ever-changing world of pilot training, standing still is not an option. Underpinning our pioneering spirit is an innate desire to continuously evolve. Our innovative approach challenges the norms of standard training, and as a result we deliver excellence to trainees and customer airlines alike.

At Skyborne, you’ll be actively contributing to the evolution of pilot training in each and every department. We believe in the power of innovation, and we’re seeking dynamic individuals who share our vision.

Find several videos on the personal experience into studying and training to be a pilot. For ‘Women of Aviation Week’ they have captured three women who talk about their experience and roles within the aviation industry. Click here for the videos.

​The Civil Nuclear Constabulary

The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) is a unique armed police force, trained to College of Policing standards. Our core focus is the security of the nation’s licenced civil nuclear sites and civil nuclear material in transit in England and Scotland. Failure to deliver this is simply not an option.

As sworn police officers we are proud to be part of the wider policing family and have a duty to protect the public, both through our core role; helping to patrol the communities who live near our sites; and as a key part of the UK’s strategic armed policing reserve.

People are at the heart of the CNC. With a culture where we strive to bring out the best in each other and the wider team, we can fulfil our mission of protecting the civil nuclear sector and the UK public.

Click here for more information.