Darlington 11-19 Practitioner Newsletter
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Darlington 11-19 Practitioner Newsletter Issue 20, January 2016 © Darlington 11-19 Partnership Welcome In This Issue… Arkwright Scholarships Trust - Hurworth School 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 - Hummersknott 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 - Hummersknott Academy 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 - Teesside University 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.