Page 13 - Shaw Education Trust December Newsletter

LIFE SKILLS SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS

Castlebrook High School, in conjunction with Barclays Bank, held a Life Skills Event
to help prepare stu-dents for life after education.

Year 10 students were invited to partake in Barclays free education programme for
11-24 year olds which helps to build skills to move students forward into the 21st
century workplace.

Principal at the academy, Sue Armstrong, said: “This event was a great
opportunity for us to collaborate with a large company and well-known recruiter, in
order to teach pupils more about the work environment.”

The academy are a pilot for the scheme which has seen students undertake a number of
activities with the aim of developing work-based skills.

Ashok Vaswani, CEO of Barclays UK, joined pupils at the event to explain why he is
passionate about helping young people. Other speakers at the event included a successful
local businessman who spoke passionately about young people in Bury being successful in
business in the future.

The event was a great success amongst pupils and the school hopes to take part in similar
activities in the future.

Meanwhile, ‘down the road’ at The Westleigh School, preparations are underway to host a Year 11
careers and mock interview day, where pupils will wear business dress and take part in five careers
based workshops including a series of mock interviews.

Planning is going well with tremendous support from the community who are eager to do what they can to raise
aspirations and improve the life chances of local pupils – so far, over forty business and industry personnel have
volunteered to be interviewers.

With our schools continuously striving to prepare pupils for life after education, we look forward to hearing more about the
innovative methods being used to raise pupil’s aspirations.

WORK READY STUDENTS REACH FOR SUCCESS

Newfriars College leads the way in launching a The hallmark of Project SEARCH is total workplace
new work place scheme to help prepare students for the world of work. immersion, which facilitates a seamless combination of class-
room instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training.
The Bucknall-based college is the first education provider
in Staffordshire to join Project SEARCH, a business-led, one-year work-preparation Mr Millington further commented: “I am amazed and delighted at the
programme for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. development of our students who are embracing this chance. They
have made new friends, improved their confidence and independ-
Speaking of the programme, Principal of the Special College Rob Millington, said: ence skills, and are now beginning to show their real true potential.
“The launch of Project Search in September 2018 was the beginning of something unique in
Staffordshire. Our primary objective is to secure competitive employment for every Steps are already underway for next year’s intake to Project SEARCH.
programme participant.” Applications for the 2019-2020 cohort will open after Christmas, with
selection interviews and recruitment taster days taking place from
With over 300 other Project SEARCH sites worldwide, participating students acquire competitive, March 2019. For more information, please contact Newfriars College
transferable and marketable job skills, while growing their independence, confidence and self-esteem. (formerly Blackfriars FE Department), in Bucknall, on 01782 987 180.