11-19 Practitioner Newsletter

Issue 20, January 2016 © Darlington 11-19 Partnership

Welcome In This Issue…  Arkwright Scholarships Trust -

Welcome to the latest 11-19 practitioner newsletter;  Duke of Edinburgh - Carmel College I'm proud to say that yet again it showcases the  Lest We Forget - St Aidan’s C of E Academy amazing achievements of a whole host of young people across Darlington. This is testament to the  International Recognition - Academy hard work of colleagues from a wide range of  Success Stories - Learning & Skills providers across the town and this work  Passing in Parade - Darlington College characterises the unique collaborative spirit that  Year 11 Careers Event - Education Village exists amongst stakeholders.  North East Raising Aspiration Partnership - Teesside This collaborative spirit is more important than University ever as once again we face a period of curriculum  Chinese Exchange Students - Carmel College

and assessment change across the educational  Harvest Festival - St Aidan’s C of E Academy sector. I am confident that this spirit  of collaboration will continue in 2016 Careers Update - Darlington College and colleagues will continue to go the "extra mile"  Cadet Force - Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College to provide a wide range of opportunities to allow  Kays Hill Animal Sanctuary -

Darlington's students to optimise their potential  The Institution of Civil Engineers - Foundation for Jobs across a range of activities.  Success Story - BL Hairdressing Congratulations to all the young people for their  Imperial Chinese Textiles - Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form achievements in 2015 and I look forward to seeing College these being built upon in 2016.  Sports Presentation Evening - Carmel College

 Prize Evening - Hummersknott Academy

 Open Days -

 New Tie - St Aidan’s C of E Academy

 Mature student laying foundation - Darlington College

 Award for Outstanding Achievement - Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College

 Year 9 Careers Future Inspirations - Education Village

 Keepmoat - Foundation for Jobs

Dean Judson  Darlington Cross Country Champions - Hummersknott Head teacher, Academy Hurworth School Chair, 11—19 Partnership

1 Arkwright Scholarships Trust

Rose Addison, formerly of Hurworth School, was awarded a sought-after Arkwright Engineering Scholarship recently at a ceremony in Glasgow. It was hosted by the Institution of Engineering & Technology and sponsored by the Rail Industry, led by Network Rail, Carillion and Colas Rail. Rose was presented with her Arkwright Scholarship by Principal Guest Hugh Gill, Chief Technology Officer of Touch Bionics and a member of the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame with 14 patents to his name. Rose also met the organisation that is sponsoring her Scholarship for the next two years – William Leech.

The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships support young people from across the UK who have the potential to be industry’s future leaders in engineering. During their sixth form studies, scholars receive £600 to support their technical courses and have access to a range of exciting opportunities to learn more about engineering, such as mentoring and company visits. Schools receive £400 per Scholarship awarded to their students.

Scholars are selected following a rigorous selection process comprising a detailed application form supported by a teacher’s reference, a two-hour aptitude exam and an interview hosted at a top engineering university. From a pool of 30,000 eligible students, this year teachers endorsed the applications of 1,559 students. 397 Scholarships were eventually awarded.

Dr Martin Thomas, Chief Executive of the Arkwright Scholarships Trust, said, “I have been hugely impressed by the creativity, technical skills and leadership prowess of the young men and women receiving their Scholarships this year. The country needs 100,000s of new engineers to take the economy and society forward but some of these newly-trained people need to also act as outstanding leadership beacons within industry and academia. The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are the first step on that road to achieving such a vital position within the UK engineering profession. Congratulations to Rose and all of our new Scholars!”

Duke of Edinburgh

This year the Duke of Edinburgh Award received an unprecedented record number of applicants which resulted in two groups of twenty four Year 10 students from Carmel College embarking on the scheme. On 26th September 2015 the first group of students, some with packs almost as large as them, set off in the autumn sunshine for two hard days walking for their Bronze practice expedition.

By the evening they were tired but cheerful as they cooked their evening meal. After a very cold night they then walked for the second day across the Cleveland Hills. The second group will be doing their practice in the Spring.

2 Lest We Forget

Students paused to reflect on the countless servicemen who have been killed and injured in the line of duty. More than 600 paper poppies were handed to students at a special act of worship staged at St Aidan’s C of E Academy.

Year 7-11 students were given the chance to think about what the Armistice Day symbol means to them before writing a message on a poppy that will form part of an art installation being constructed in tribute to the fallen and those who live with the consequences of war.

Director of Learning RE, Rebecca Windross, led the act of worship, helped by Year 7 students, a special service of remembrance that included the playing of the Last Post and videos featuring the work of the Royal British Legion. She said, “It is important that we pray for those who still suffer as a result of conflict around the world. We started researching remembrance services weeks ago, talking about the modern use of the poppy and why our children may choose to wear them.”

Principal Nicole Gibbon said, “St Aidan’s took part in the two minutes silence on Armistice Day and following on from our own remembrance worship, the poppies will now form a huge Tower of London-style display that we can use every year. This is not just about remembering the fallen, of world wars last century, but those who live on with injuries sustained during recent conflicts and the members of the Armed Forces who continue to work tirelessly to keep us all safe. Students have been so amazing, so reverent and moved by the whole experience. They appreciate the relevance of the poppy today, that staff here have family in the Forces and that we have such an active and well supported cadet force.”

International Recognition

Hummersknott Academy was recently successful in being re-accredited with the British Council International School Award for the third time.

This accreditation lasts for 3 years and is given in recognition of the outstanding range of international education in school. It is a badge of honour for schools which foster an international dimension in the curriculum and develop young people to gain the cultural understanding and skills they need to live and work as global citizens. Our international work includes links with partner schools overseas, collaborative curriculum-based work across a range of subjects, international outreach work in local primaries and the wider community and we are a Fairtrade school.

Mr Keating, Mrs Wells and two Year 11 students attended a ceremony in Newcastle to receive the award and the school was highly commended by the British Council for maintaining a high level of international work.

3 Learning & Skills Success Stories

Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills Service offers Apprenticeships, Diplomas and the ‘Elev8’ programme for young people post-16. Here are a couple of examples of what our young people have done:

Caleb Lowther joined Learning & Skills in February 2013 on a Foundation Learning Programme. After undertaking activities in the joinery workshop, Caleb decided he would like to become a joiner. He progressed to the Level 2 Site Carpentry Diploma programme in September 2013.

Initially, Caleb lacked confidence in his ability. However through mentoring and discussions with his tutor, Caleb grew in confidence and felt able to complete some work experience with a local building firm, CS Joinery and Building Services Ltd.

Through his placement and from the training received at Learning & Skills, Caleb began to thrive, and his confidence and skills improved greatly. He impressed CS Joinery and Building Services with his attitude towards his work and Caleb was then offered an Apprenticeship by the company as a Site Joiner.

Caleb has since completed his Intermediate Apprenticeship in Site Carpentry in September 2015 and has continued with his learning by progressing onto the Advanced Apprenticeship programme whilst also managing to support his young family.

Caroline Towers embarked on a Level 2 Business and Administration Apprenticeship in September 2013 with Learning & Skills after completing A-levels at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College.

She says “I decided to start at Level 2 in order to gain two years’ experience within the HR department at Darlington Borough Council to increase my chances of gaining employment in a HR discipline after my Apprenticeship. Level 2 consisted of a Technical Certificate combined with the NVQ where I sat online exams, produced written responses to questions and produced a portfolio of evidence for my chosen units. I really enjoyed specific projects such as delivering a presentation on Probation, as this developed my confidence and I also enjoyed being observed in my workplace. I then progressed on to Level 3 and chose new units that I felt would challenge what I already learnt. I now work for Hitachi Rail in Newton Aycliffe as an HR Assistant and am completing my Level 5 Diploma in Human Resource Management.

For those who are unsure about university and whether that is the right choice for them, I would definitely recommended taking an apprenticeship route as you gain real life experience and master some valuable skills. Business and Administration opens up so many doors and you can discover what area best suits you as an individual to pursue a career in!”

For further information about the courses offered to young people, please contact Learning & Skills on (01325) 248021 or see www.darlington.gov.uk/learningandskills.

4 Passing in Parade

A former Darlington College student has celebrated a significant milestone in her military career.

Naval Airman (Aircraft Handler) (NAAH) Charlotte Cooke, 22, from Harrogate Hill in Darlington was the only female in the group of twenty aircraft handlers who celebrated their ‘Passing in Parade’ at Royal Naval Air Station Culrose in Cornwall after six months of intensive training.

Charlotte, who began her career on a Public Services course at the College had to train hard to compete with the rest of her group, but welcomed the challenge.

Charlotte said, “After doing my A levels I was unsure about what direction to take. Completing my Public Service course at Darlington College gave me an insight into military life which I really enjoyed, my tutors encouraged me to apply for the Navy and supported me in preparation for interviews and tests, their support has certainly helped me achieve my ambition to be where I am now. It means a lot to be here today, being the only girl can be challenging, and I’ve had to push myself hard, but it’s been worth it. It has been six months of intensive work but it has all been worth it.”

Her mum Carol said the family were incredibly proud of Charlotte’s achievements and her determination to succeed in her career. “Charlotte is so motivated and so determined that she wasn’t in the slightest bit daunted by being the only female. She is an amazing girl and her career will go from strength to strength.”

Giving out the awards, Royal Navy Commander Jonathan Bird, addressed the crowd and said, “The aircraft handlers are the last contact you have with a ship when you take off, and the first when you return. They are a welcome sight. The trust we have in our aircraft handlers is not given lightly, but earned through continued hard work and skills taught here. Aviation can be a dangerous game, but the future is bright for the Fleet Air Arm and you will all play a vital role.”

The 20 aircraft handlers will now disperse and go onto various units and ships across the globe. They will play an essential role on the flight decks of the Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers. Some have been selected to work on the future Aircraft Carrier programme working with the United States Navy at various Air Stations throughout America.

Public Services tutor Gary Paxton said Charlotte always stood out for her effort during her two-year course at the college. “The military was a natural choice for Charlotte and I had no doubt at all that she would excel in her chosen career. The College is very proud of her and we will watch her achievements with pride,” he said.

5 Year 11 – Career and Choices Event

The Education Village held a Career and Choices event for all our students to highlight what is on offer in Darlington and our surrounding areas when they leave school. The event was well attended with Darlington, Middlesbrough, East College Durham, Stockton Riverside, Askham Bryan, Queen Elizabeth and Polam Hall Colleges attending. Along with ITEC, Raising Aspiration linked to our local universities and also South West Durham Training and DBC Learning & Skills to name a few. Excellent feedback was given by providers on the interest shown by our students and the questions that they were asking. It was an excellent evening.

Year 11 students have also had the opportunity to listen to assemblies from all local colleges and training providers in November which have been followed with two full application days. The colleges and providers have also been into school to give the students the ideal opportunity to be informed of their choices to allow them to choose correctly.

Students have said that this is a great opportunity to find out what is out there and also it helps when completing applications and finding out about what to choose.

North East Raising Aspiration Partnership

The North East Raising Aspiration Partnership (NERAP) is a collaboration of the five universities in the region (Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside) working together to ensure every young person has the opportunity to make informed decisions about Higher Education.

We are part of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, National Networks for Collaborative Outreach and our new Partnership website www.NERAP.ac.uk is the officially recognised Single Point of Contact for outreach provision in the region.

By visiting our new website teachers and advisers can access information about:

 Outreach provision delivered at each of our partner universities  Regular updates and resources to support work in school to encourage young people to consider higher education opportunities  How the Partnership can work with your school through our ‘NERAP Comes to you’ Graduate Ambassador visit programme  How we are working to support specific vulnerable groups such as looked after young people, young carers and those with special educational needs or disabilities

For more information about how the North East Raising Aspiration Partnership can support you, please visit their website at www.nerap.ac.uk, email [email protected] or telephone 0191 208 3128.

6 Chinese Exchange Students A group of Year 10 students from Carmel College’s partner school Xinhua High School, in Tianjin, China, visited the college last year to experience the life of British students for a week. On top of attending the regular curriculum with their partners, they were also introduced to some very British traditions, from baking cupcakes to playing cricket and netball. Many of the visiting students and their hosts had taken part the previous year in the exchange visit to Xinhua. Once more, strong friendships were built and a few tears were shed at the farewell party.

Harvest Festival

Students are beginning to reap what they sow as an academy enjoys a resurgence that is benefiting the community at large.

Darlington residents who need support received a major boost thanks to the generosity of students at St Aidan’s C of E Academy. A huge collection of tinned and dried goods was donated during a harvest festival act of worship for St Columbus Church food bank.

Principal Nicole Gibbon told students, “We have had such tremendous support from the Darlington community over the past year in particular, so we wanted to dedicate our harvest festival to a local food bank. Our students wanted to achieve something collectively to say thank you to Darlington and help the wonderful community that has helped us.” St Aidan’s Academy students Liam Newton, left, and Nicholas Stockton with part of the food collection to help Darlington’s vulnerable. Director of Learning Maths, David Spenceley, led the act of worship that highlighted the plight of people around the world who do not have enough to eat – including residents of Darlington.

“My grandfather was a farmer and I wanted to be one too,” he said. “I loved the thought of preparing the land, sowing the seed and nurturing the crops, but I am a teacher not a farmer, though in many ways St Aidan’s is doing a similar job. It is an environment that is safe and fertile for young minds, where seeds of knowledge are sown and where outstanding teachers nurture and feed learning to help students progress and grow.”

School chaplain Martin Stand told students: “It is incredible to think in the 21st century that food banks are a necessity in Darlington and the rest of the country, but they are, and your contribution will have a real impact on people’s lives.”

7 Careers Update

Careers staff from across the region have been briefed on the latest opportunities in further education as a college prepares to celebrate ten years on its hi-tech site. Darlington College staff welcomed guidance advisers from secondary schools in the town, Teesside and North Yorkshire to an update event on the FE curriculum and new facilities.

Careers experts were given a tour of facilities and an overview of significant developments at the college, before taking part in a six-minute speed update carousel with staff from nine curriculum areas. Vice Principal Carole Todd said, “The college has been undergoing a transformation over the past six to nine months which has been a very rewarding journey. We are very proud of what we have achieved so far and were keen to share it with our secondary education colleagues across the region.”

In a question and answer session with a group of learners, delegates were given an honest insight into life at the college and the benefits of studying in a more adult environment than school. Careers teacher for Longfield Academy and Darlington School of Mathematics and Science, Gill Smith, said, “This sort of event is vital as we can talk to students and tutors and get all the information we need on courses and destinations. This helps us when we go into schools as we have a much clearer picture of what is available. Education evolves, it is always changing, as are university and job requirements, so it is important to keep up to date.”

Aspiration and engagement officer for North Shore Academy, Stockton, Gill Sangster added, “We have students with specific interests so to be able to sit down with college staff is really beneficial. FE colleges across the Tees Valley offer something different so it is important to give our students a clear understanding of what is out there.”

For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk

Careers staff are briefed at an update session at Darlington College

8 Cadet Force at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College

Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College is proud to announce the foundation of a Combined Cadet Force within the College. Launched in September, the Combined Cadet Force is an exciting new initiative for students to develop employability and life skills.

Captain Steve Regan, the Contingent Commander at QE, explains, ‘Students who become cadets don’t necessarily need to aspire to a military career – all will benefit from what’s on offer. Membership of the Cadet Force will develop leadership and team working, will promote initiative, discipline, resourcefulness, self-reliance, endurance and perseverance. Cadets will benefit from military training expertise and the use of Armed Service facilities for camps, training weekends, visits and courses. There’ll be an extensive range of activities on offer such as orienteering, canoeing, adventure training, small bore and full bore shooting. Initially the contingent will be exclusively Army but it is hope that a RAF section will be developed in the future.’’

QE’s contingent will wear the Royal Corps of Signals cap badge and will be in partnership with Darlington School of Maths and Science, sharing the same Contingent Commander and Staff Sergeant Instructor.

Kays Hill Animal Sanctuary

Hummersknott Academy Year 11 students Caitie Etheridge and Millie Horner spent their work experience week at Kays Hill Animal Sanctuary earlier last year.

Whilst there, the students gained an appreciation of how important funds were to the sanctuary which cares for a multitude of animals ranging from mice, through raccoons to horses. There is an ongoing need for money to care for the animals and the upkeep of the sanctuary.

On their return to school the students asked for support for the sanctuary. On the casual clothes day at the end of October students were asked to make a voluntary donation for the sanctuary and £602.91 was raised, which Caitie and Millie have taken and presented to the sanctuary on behalf of the students in the Academy.

9 The Institution of Civil Engineers

An MP was able to test for herself the work of pupils considering a future in the engineering sector.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman met pupils from Hurworth School as they constructed a 14 metre long suspension bridge owned by The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East, from scratch and then carried out the ultimate test of walking across it.

Hurworth pupils were amongst scores of Darlington school pupils to attend sessions over an eight day period delivered by Foundation for Jobs staff and Darlington College, which hosts the activity, to give children and young people a hands-on example of civil engineering work. It comes as civil engineering needs to recruit more young people as the economic recovery continues and new infrastructure projects are rolled out. The sector is facing an impending skills gap with around a third of the UK’s civil engineers due to retire in the next five to ten years.

Of around 165 pupils from Darlington schools and colleges who took part in the sessions, around a third were girls and it comes as the engineering sector aims to shake its image as a male dominated profession.

Ms Chapman said, “Pupils, particularly girls, tell me how much they enjoy the problem-solving, team-building element of this, and I really hope it encourages more young people to think of engineering as a profession. I am always impressed by this bridge building exercise and the impact it has on young people making choices about their future. This gives students from all over the town the chance to taste college life but also to take part in a great engineering exercise.”

Penny Marshall, Director of ICE North East, said, “Our replica bridge is just one of the ways we can show young people what civil engineering is, and that it has many rewarding career opportunities for college and university graduates.”

It is the fourth year in a row that ICE has joined forces with Foundation for Jobs which aims to inspire young people’s interest in engineering and other sectors where a large number of jobs are to become available in the North-East, and which are facing significant skills gaps.

10 BL Hairdressing

Ellie Smith, a former student of Longfield Academy, started with BL Hairdressing in 2013 and from day 1 she was keen to learn and try new techniques. In August 2014 Ellie moved salons to work at Stones Hairdressing in Darlington.

The salon owner works on a one to one basis with Ellie and completes weekly training sessions. Ellie has successfully completed NVQ L2 Hairdressing in August 2015 and has now started NVQ L3 Hairdressing. Ellie has very clear plans as to where she would like her career to take her and this makes her very enthusiastic in everything she does!

Ellie said, “My love for hairdressing is what I enjoy the most and doing something I am so passionate about makes me so happy to make everyone else feel good too. In the future I would like to be- come a BL Assessor and work with other apprentices to achieve their goals and make them enjoy what I love best!”

Imperial Chinese Textiles

David Rosier, an accredited National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) lecturer, visited Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College to deliver two talks on Imperial Chinese Costume and Textiles. Students were inspired by the beautiful examples of embroidered silk textiles he brought with him from his personal collection.

David’s lectures on ‘A Journey Through and Beyond the Emperor’s Wardrobe’ provided an insight into how highly decorative and expertly created costume and textiles were utilised at the Chinese Imperial Court to give rank and status to the wearer. The sixty Art and Design students who participated were fascinated to learn how the exquisite, highly decorative insignia and symbols, defined within extensive regulations, strictly identified where the wearer resided in the twelve power ranks of the Imperial family.

Kath Wiper, Head of the Art Foundation Course at QE, said, “The response to David’s lectures was extremely positive and the students were totally engaged and absorbed into the magic of a culture that was articulated through such specialist knowledge and insight. There was a great appreciation of the superb textiles that were put on display and seeing such artefacts in detail was inspirational.’’

This was the first time that David had lectured to a young audience and he commented, “The students were receptive and respectful of the textiles and asked pertinent and challenging questions – they were a credit to their College.’’

11 Sports Presentation Evening

A World Cup winner paid tribute to the stars of the future at a special awards evening at Carmel College to celebrate sporting success.

England Ladies rugby captain Katy Mclean presented a host of trophies, cups and shields in recognition of the College’s best ever year in sport. The Darlington Mowden Park RFC fly half, who led England to their first World Cup success in 20 years in France last year, told students that she had, “never seen so many trophies and awards won by just one school. There is such an array of sporting talent right here in this room that the future for sport in our area looks very promising indeed. I know from experience that sport can be brutal; it can give you the biggest highs and the most devastating lows, but to be a professional sports person is the best job in the world”.

Individual awards were presented to students from Year 7 to Year 10 for sporting achievements in a host of disciplines including judo, gymnastics, horse riding, skiing, athletics, cross country, dance, football, volleyball, rugby, cricket, swimming, badminton, life-saving, rounders, tennis, biathlon, netball, hockey, table tennis, cycling, sports leadership and diving.

Special awards, chosen by the PE department, were made to individuals who had achieved high levels of success in their chosen sport, with an extra special award to former Carmel student Leah Kennedy, captain of Team Northumbria netball team, who has recently been called up to the full England squad.

Carmel’s PE Curriculum Leader, Simon Hannaford, said, “Continuing in the Carmel tradition, this has been our most successful year in sport ever at district, county, regional and even national level. PE and sport make people work harder and achieve more and my message to all of our young people is that you can achieve your dreams here at Carmel.”

12 Prize Evening

Hummersknott Academy was delighted to welcome back students who completedAthlete Lewis their Moses inspires sports GCSEs in the summer to the Annual Prize Evening. Also returning, as gueststudents speaker, at Longfield was Academy. Pat Howarth, who retired as the Academy’s Executive Principal in August.

The evening, a celebration of the students’ five years in school, began with the presentation of GCSE certificates followed by subject prizes and finishing with special awards and honours board prizes.

Several of the honours boards in the Hall date back to 1955, when the school opened on its current site, and each year the new recipients’ names are added. This year has seen the creation of a new prize and honours board – the Pat Howarth Award for a student who has made a contribution to the Global Dimension. The first recipient of the award was Daniel Smart, who, during his time in school, gained GCSEs in French and Italian and was an ambassador for the school, playing for Hummersknott Badminton Club in matches in several different countries.

Pat, in his speech, spoke to students about the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and how it was now the students’ world – his generation had played their part and not always effectively. It was the young people’s responsibility to become informed politically and, when old enough, to vote.

The evening ended with a buffet and the opportunity for students to catch up with each other and with staff, who were interested in what they were doing.

Teesside University Open Days

Part-time open day: We recognise that part-time study is often fitted around your work, family and lifestyle commitments and that you will undoubtedly have a range of questions and individual requirements that you will want to discuss with our specialists. This popular event gives you the opportunity to meet with subject specialists and get all the information you need to know about our courses and the fantastic facilities we have here at Teesside University.

Postgraduate open day: Whether you are considering further study to change career, enhance your CV or just for fun, we have a wide range of courses to suit you, ranging from digital animation to clinical psychology, forensic science to fraud management. Our staff are available to give you information on our taught postgraduate courses and research degrees, available full-time and part-time. We will also have staff and students on hand to give advice on applications, careers, funding and much more.

An open day is to be held on 9 March 2016, 2.00pm - 7.00pm at Middlesbrough campus. For more information or to book online visit www.tees.ac.uk/opendays or telephone the Department of External Relations on 01642 342275.

13 New Tie

Students have forged new ties with their learning after being presented with a symbol of care, respect and responsibility. Year 11 pupils at St Aidan’s C of E Academy, each received their own individual privilege tie in a special school assembly to mark the final year of their secondary education.

Presenting the ties to the 122 students, head of Year 11 Chris Dodd said, “There has been a lot of anticipation leading up to our tie ceremony, which is one of our academy’s highest honours and one that really sets Year 11 students apart. There is real status attached to students who wear the tie, including respect for themselves, each other and staff, of care for younger students who look up to the older pupils and also a responsibility to live up to the very high standards that we set here at St Aidan’s. This year’s group has the chance to be one that breaks the mould, to be the history makers of the future and wearing the tie shows that they are taking the first steps to making that happen.”

As well as showing seniority within school, the privilege tie, which was designed by students themselves, is also a passport to the Year 11 school prom and end of year hoody. If any student fails to live up to the expectations and behavioural standards set by the academy their tie may be removed by the head of year and all privileges withdrawn.

Head boy Lewis Scott, 15, added, “Wearing the tie is a big honour and it shows that Mrs Gibbon and all of the teaching staff here really care about us. The whole year group feels really proud to wear the St Aidan’s uniform and this tie now makes it feel extra special.”

St Aidan’s Academy Year 11 students proudly display their new school privilege tie

14 Mature student laying foundation

A former builder has cemented his future job prospects by retuning to the classroom. Mature student James McGregor laid the foundations of his future career after completing an HNC in Building Studies at Darlington College.

James, of Redmire, Wensleydale, has now secured a quantity surveyor traineeship with Interserve and is working full-time for the multinational support service and construction company. “Living where I do it’s either working in the trades or farming,” said James, 31. “I worked for a small business based in Hawes, which employed five builders. Due to the nature of the company we did everything ourselves, renovation, conversions, new builds and roofing, which meant I had no actual formal training.”

After eight years in the industry, and with a wife and two year old son to support, James decided he wanted to better his career prospects and approached Darlington College for help. “I was going nowhere so I just went for it,” said James. “The college was very helpful. My practical knowledge helped me with some of the subjects but there were a lot of things that I had never really had anything to do with.”

At the three quarter point of his two year part-time course James was approached by Darlington College tutor Ian Blackhall who informed him that construction company Interserve were looking for a keen mature student to start as a quantity surveying trainee. James is now an assistant quantity surveyor with Interserve working at GlaxoSmithKline, Barnard Castle, and in his 4th year studying a BSC Hons Degree at . “My experience of going back to college was positive,” said James. “If you want to progress in the construction industry I would recommend the HNC as it gives you a sound knowledge and is something larger companies look for as a minimum. Self-funding isn’t easy but you need to look at the bigger picture. I saw it as short-term loss for long-term gain.”

For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.

Former Darlington College student James McGregor, 31, of Redmire, Wensleydale

15 Award for Outstanding Achievement QE student, James Crossley, experienced an incredible evening at the UBS award ceremony in London. Pure Potential, the organisers of the event aim to raise the aspirations of sixth form students from state schools and help them achieve their full potential. James was successfully nominated for an award for his excellent progress at College and his contribution to QE’s Future Engineers’ Scheme, particularly his involvement in the Greenpower project when a team of students built an electric car.

At QE James is studying A level Physics, further Maths and Geography and has applied to study Engineering at Cambridge University. James describes the evening, “It was an amazing experience. The event was in the UBS building, a tall spire of glass and steel that had an atmosphere of thriving business. Just seeing the inside such a hugely prestigious financial company was a privilege. We heard from inspirational guest speakers, had networking sessions and of course there were the awards. It all made me realise that achievement is only as unreachable as you make it and that anyone at QE can do the same if they’re driven. Having the chance to learn and practise networking skills was extremely useful and gave me more confidence for upcoming university interviews. I am so grateful for being given this opportunity and hope that other QE students are able to do the same.” Before coming to QE James was a pupil at St Aidan’s C of E Academy.

Year 9 Careers – Future Inspirations

Year 9 Haughton pupils have heard, first hand, the importance of Maths and English in day to day working life. They were visited by Joe Slater from Waterloo Road who discussed the importance of English lessons in reading his scripts for shows and plays and how embarrassing it was for him not being able to pronounce or understand some of the words on them.

We also had Hussain Manawar who is a young Entrepreneur who has recently been accepted to go into space, his business is online and involves developing You Tube and music sites. The visitors were very inspirational to our learners and we all had a great afternoon.

16 Keepmoat

A construction firm is giving teenage pupils a first-hand insight into the wide range of skills required in the sector by preparing them to pitch their own building projects.

Keepmoat has joined forces with Foundation for Jobs to launch a construction challenge for Year 9 pupils at the Education Village which will see them prepare a tender for a new changing room facility on the playing fields at their school. Working in teams over the next two months, the pupils will not only have to prepare designs for the facility but also price up the cost of labour and materials for the job, as well as demonstrating an understanding of planning regulations.

The challenge was launched last week when the pupils visited Keepmoat’s Central Park development in Darlington, where the company is building 332 new homes, to gain an understanding of the different types of job role on site and the work that goes into such a project. They also spent time at the construction facilities at Darlington College, which is supporting the challenge. The overall aim of the challenge is to demonstrate to pupils the many varied job roles within the construction sector at a time when it is facing skills gaps, partly attributed to a perception amongst young people and their parents that there is a lack of employment opportunities following the economic downturn, when in fact the opposite is true, with Keepmoat recording turnover of more than £1bn last year. The pupils will make a final presentation to a judging panel of senior Keepmoat managers in early March.

Foundation for Jobs chairman Councillor Chris McEwan, lead member for Economy at Darlington Borough Council, said, “The construction sector has been identified as a key growth area in both Darlington and the wider North-East, but unfortunately there has been a struggle to get that message out following the recession, at which time house building was obviously badly hit. There is also a need to get past the idea that the only jobs in construction involve laying bricks, when in fact there are a wide variety of roles from architects to quantity surveyors and planning experts. This project which is being led by Keepmoat and Foundation for Jobs aims to challenge those perceptions amongst young people and their families. I would commend Keepmoat for getting involved and giving up their staff’s time and expertise to get that message across to young people, hopefully some of whom will go on to develop rewarding careers in the construction sector.”

Keepmoat employs more than 3,000 staff delivering schemes across 22 regional offices. The national award winning Foundation for Jobs scheme has worked with more than 5,000 young people aged 10 to 24 since it was launched in 2012 by Darlington Borough Council, The Northern Echo and The Darlington Partnership of private firms and public sector organisations. It has also enjoyed support from businesses and industrialists across the whole North-East region; with a key part of its work being partnerships with business to run practical activities that challenge school pupils’ views of sectors which are vital for the North-East economy but which are facing skills gaps. This is often because of perceptions those young people have of the careers open to them in those industry sectors.

For details on Foundation for Jobs, contact Programme Co-ordinator Owen McAteer at [email protected] or visit www.foundationforjobs.co.uk.

17 Darlington Cross Country Champions

Hummersknott Academy was delighted to recently retain the overall town cross country championship title held at Darlington School of Maths and Science.

The 90 runners from Year 7 to 11 competed for the Academy in the six races and all contributed to winning the overall title. A Hummersknott team won four of the six team races and the boys retained the overall boys’ title too. Several students qualified to represent Darlington at the County race in January these were:

Y7 boys 1st John Russell, 8th Harry Wilson Team 1st

Y7 girls 1st Harriet Rogers, 4th Eve Wilson Team 1st

Y8/9 boys 3rd George Barber, 4th James Roberts, 10th Rowan Carr, 12th Tom Finney, 14th Max Holmes Team 2nd

Y8/9 girls 2nd Catherine Roberts, 4th Rebecca Potter, 5th Eve Sinclair, 12th Sophie Ormrod, 13th Keelay Edwards, 16th Katie Taylor Team 1st

Y10/11 boys 1st Cameron Stainsby, 2nd Matthew McGuire, 4th Luke Sinclair, 5th James LePoidevin, 6th Matthew Dummigan, 11th Aaron King, 15th Dan Godfrey Team 1st

Y10/11 girls 8th Emily Porter, 16th Rowan Samuel Team 3rd

Overall results: Boys’ Title 1st, Girls’ Title 2nd, Overall Championship 1st

Alasdair Tatham, PE teacher, said “There were so many great performances from so many students and it was particularly pleasing to see them trying all the way to the finish line. We hope that the Darlington team will perform equally well in the County race.”

The next issue of the 11-19 Practitioner Newsletter will be published in May 2016. If you have anything you would like to be featured in the next issue, please send text (and photos if you have them) to: [email protected] by Friday 15th April 2015.

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