27 lucky pupils from Year 10 had a fantastic day at Wolverhampton University as part of the Aspire to HE programme. They learnt about the various routes into University, how to apply to Uni, and the different courses available, including the entry requirement demands for different courses.

#careers #university

Applications for the free National NHS Virtual Work experience programme have now reopened for spring! This programme has supported over 30,000 secondary school students to obtain free work experiences last year. Virtual work experiences have been accepted by the Medical Schools and Dental Schools Council as valuable alternatives to in-person shadowing, backed by the Health Education England Discovery report on the impact of virtual work placements.

This programme is brought to you by Birmingham Universities Hospitals Trust in collaboration with Medic Mentor, and it is completely free. Not only is this a reliable alternative to in-person shadowing, but it also plays a significant role in preparing students for their in-person work placements with structured teaching and opportunities to speak directly with healthcare professionals. The opportunity is open to any student across the UK from 14 years old and above.

Students can sign up for the upcoming Get Into Conferences here and unlock access to our Virtual Work Experience Programme:

Get Into Medicine: https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shrGJUAtigzZzDwTN

Get Into Dentistry: https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shr1YAbWctfkXarfQ

A big thank you to the representatives from Oxford and Cambridge Universities for visiting us today. This morning, 27 lucky pupils took part in the Oxbridge Walsall Schools Tour visit where they learned about Universities, how to apply, student loans, and what it’s like to go to university. They also learnt about the Russell Group universities and their entry requirement. At the end of the session, our keen pupils asked the Oxbridge representatives lots of valuable questions regarding universities and certain course requirements.

A big thank you to all the organisations that supported with our careers fair. We had representatives from:

Walsall College

Barr Beacon Teacher training SCITT

Wednesfield Academy 6th Form

NHS Wolverhampton

Nova Training

Juniper training

West Midlands Police

Performance Through People

Althaus Digital

Higgs LLP

South Staffs Water Plc

Walsall Works

CCF and Armed Forces

Primary pupils from Year 5, and secondary pupils from Years 7-10 attended the event and asked our visitors lots of probing questions about their career, or the careers they are promoting. This enabled pupils to make the link between education and careers pathways. 

Rose from the Midland Metro Alliance ran a session on apprenticeships. In this session, pupils learnt about different career apprenticeships and how to apply for them. They also learnt about employability skills and did a fun activity on effective communication. The pupils absolutely loved the session and many are now more interested in a STEM related career.

53 pupils from year 7 had a great time in the HS2 STEM day. They designed a train station of the future and learnt about the structural strength of bridges and tunnels to help them engineer various structures to safely carry a load.

On 10.10.24 Hyett Education ran a fully funded robotics workshop to 71 pupils from years 8 and 9. The aim of the event was to encourage more pupils to consider a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). In the workshop, pupils were taught how to design and build robots out of Lego, and programme them to complete specific tasks using a coding platform similar to the scratch software used in school. Tasks included picking up objects and "rescue missions" where pupils would need to design, build and code a robot to save a stranded Lego man and then recover him to safety along a specific path. The day was a success, as many pupils have now said they would like to pursue a career in coding, robotics and STEM!

On Wednesday 10^th July, Y9 had the exciting opportunity to meet and speak to Chantel Brooks. In "The Pursuit of Success" author and educator Chantel Brooks took pupils on a personal journey through her own school and career progression. Aimed at teenagers on the cusp of taking their GCSEs, her book offers invaluable insight and guidance for navigating the many challenges that lie ahead.

From the nerve-wracking anticipation of Results Day to the daunting decision of whether university is the right path, Chantel shared and drew on her own experiences to offer honest and relatable advice. But her assembly was not just about exams and career choices - it also delved into the emotional complexities of being a teenager in today's world.

As someone who has often felt like a square peg in a round hole, Chantel understands the pressures and anxieties that come with trying to fit in while staying true to herself. Throughout her time at the school, she explored different perspectives, including those of students, parents, teachers, employers, and entrepreneurs, offering a well-rounded view of what it takes to succeed in the modern world.

Above all, Chantel's event today was a reminder to our pupils that it's never too late to chart your own path. With a mix of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and inspiring insights, Chantel inspired our pupils and motivated them to 'Be the Best they can Be'.

On Wednesday 3rd July 2024, 60 year 8 pupils had the opportunity to be involved with a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) day.  

Firstly, the pupils were tasked with building the tallest paper tower using only paper. Many pupils believed this was 'impossible' at first but after hard work and resilience they built freestanding towers. Pupils then had to design their own futuristic train stations where they worked in teams and presented their train station in front of everyone. The last task the pupils had was to design and build a tunnel using paper straws and tape. The tunnel had to hold a 1 kg weight and allow the train to go through. The pupils involved were an absolute credit to the academy and should be very proud of their accomplishments from the day!

On Thursday 27^th June, our Y12 students visited Aston University, Birmingham for a student conference. This was an excellent opportunity for our students to discover more about the options for them after Sixth Form and inspire them to take different career paths. The day gave students the opportunity to attend a range of talks and workshops to include:

· Applying to university

· Careers and placements

· Mental health and well-being

· Choosing a university

· Meet with the admissions team and interact with current university students

The campus tours saw the students engage with different areas and facilities on site; from the library to the sports centre, to the Student Union. It was fantastic to have the sun shining as we walked around and got to interact with the Aston Student Ambassadors and really get a feel for campus life. With over 20,000 steps across the day (including walking from all the train stations), the Dominoes pizza that was provided at lunch time really hit the spot. 

A great day that has given out students a real-life insight. Time to make some choices now in to Year 13!