Issue 1, Monday 1st June 2015 BET NEWS A newsletter for all our colleagues and partners Welcome to our first edition Bath Education Trust (BET) is a schools and colleges and prepare them The articles in this first newsletter reflect partnership and collaboration of key for the opportunities, responsibilities and the work of all partners in the Trust. education providers and businesses in experiences of later life. We plan to produce two newsletters per Bath and North East . Further information about BET year and future editions will be designed Our aim is to improve the educational can be found on our website www. and produced by students from our experience of young people in our batheducationtrust.com schools and college. Three Ways School has worked and what fire personnel do to adapt the Award to enhance on a day to day basis. the development of lifeskills and Students, not only employability skills for their sixth enjoyed the day but, they form students. responded, listened intently The award has helped to develop and acted positively on general social skills and the information presented to students understanding that them by White watch in a the wider world will have a wide hugely encouraging way. variety of expectations. The class teacher, Kirsten Workshops, work experience Hafford said, ‘Our pupils and volunteering outside school had a fantastic time, white has hugely benefited students watch made quite an confidence and experience of impression on them! It was the working world. One student great that the activities were has worked in a party shop on a in Walcot St, Bath Party Shop and the all practical, and will be really helpful for independent living.’ weekly basis, developing interpersonal Roman Baths. skills, independence skills in travelling One of the pupils commented -: The workshops and masterclasses in to work and communication skills, a variety of settings have given the ‘I learnt they only have 5 minutes to dealing with customers. opportunity to encourage independent get ready, so they need to be well Much of the volunteering opportunities travel, experience new places and organised and have their stuff ready.’ and work experience have been a variety of unfamiliar people and Charlotte Calkin, Organiser of organised in school in order to provide settings. Tedx Junior in Bath and trainer adequate support and supervision. in Presentation skills gave a Students have helped with lunchtime The Bath Fire Station developed a workshop to introduce the students to masterclass which opened the young sports clubs, worked alongside the people’s eyes to what is important school caretaker and volunteered managing risk, working as a team and explore working under pressure. when presenting. This was hugely at therapeutic sessions in different beneficial, raising awareness of the classes. The young people, aged 16-19, and all importance of body language and eye Some pupils have extended their with learning difficulties, spent the day contact. The workshop gave students work experience by having longer role playing real life scenarios. The the chance to practice presenting term commitments to external work tasks included how to manage a chip themselves and have feedback to experience. Students have completed pan fire, what to do if you are in a fire, help move their skills forwards. supported placement at a hairdressers how to deal with different types of fire

Tel: 07908 802 622 Email: [email protected] Web: www.batheducationtrust.com Twitter: @batheductrust BET NEWS Issue 1, Monday 1st June 2015 Rotork Chief Executive visits Bath Studio School Rotork is a Bath-based apprenticeships manufacturer and flow can be an control company that advantageous operates in areas of the alternative to world where the flow of universities gases or liquids need to which is now be contained. a staggering £9,000 in tuition Peter France was fees and is part appointed to the of the reason position of Chief why thousands Executive along with of school-leavers Chief Operating Officer are thinking of the company in about taking a 2008. As a young different route man, he had the vision into the world of of moving into sales work. and work with friends having previously ‘The idea of the trust is It can be a massive ‘Apprenticeships worked as a young employability. How do undertaking for both small are very interesting’, he electrical engineer at the we help the students, not and large-sized businesses said. ‘When apprentices now-defunct Stothert and just study but get ready to recruit pupils for work join, they tend to learn Pitt firm, also in Bath. He for the big, wide world of experience as it uses up about the company through subsequently joined Rotork employers? It’s exciting precious human resources working in all departments. in 1989 due to the close link to see how education has and requires effort from By doing this, it makes the with manufacturing. changed.’ its management. France individual a well-rounded was asked how difficult it person and allows them to Asked about the highlights In an interview at The Bath is for both pupils and the achieve great things.’ of his time in BET, he Studio School on 28th employer. Finally, France was asked April, France described the said that ‘seeing schools ‘I think it’s planning that about what his top tips are school as being ‘fantastic’ working together and someone needs to give for working. and said ‘it’s good to focusing on the education you information about. If see a different approach of students, instead of ‘Working hard is very focusing on things that someone can give you towards education. It’s very important if you want to get don’t add any value.’ advice, this is powerful. exciting.’ places in life. I think if I was Students need to be This was one of the being critical about young France then described interested in the work main positives he had people nowadays, they how Rotork focuses on experience but time is experienced whilst working hope that things come too employability in BET. crucial, so you need to at Rotork. easily without having to do create an environment much. where it can add value.’ He also pointed towards ‘In Bath, it isn’t easy ‘working together, the for students coming in qualifications you get because there aren’t the and the time you spend opportunities available at school as all important compared to other towns aspects of succeeding at and cities around the work. ‘Effort pays dividends country.’ and learning never ends’ France then moved were the wise words he on to talk about how added.

Tel: 07908 802 622 Email: [email protected] Web: www.batheducationtrust.com Twitter: @batheductrust BET NEWS Issue 1, Monday 1st June 2015 Voluntary Work and Employablility Skills As part of the BET Award, to be careful when handling spoke clearly and people naturally a little nervous for students at the food and setting up understood us, we had to be our first day.” have been taking part in a the table. We had to be persuasive towards people “Barclays Bank came number of events to develop responsible with giving the so they would buy the to Oldfield to deliver a their understanding of work public change and handling cakes.” Masterclass and Beechen and enterprise and develop money. “Work Experience is our Cliff school student joined their skills for employability. We had to be neat and next challenge and this is us. Here is what two of them organised when we set from 1st to 5th June 2015. say about one of them. Our future Masterclasses up the table (making sure We have written letters, are going to be with “We took part in a charity everything was on show or attended interviews and are Action for Children and event in April 2015. We not out where it now preparing Provellio who are a Project decided to make cakes and could melt). for work Management Group and we sold them at the price experience by We had to they were responsible for of 20p - £1.50. We made having lessons organise a float repairing and re-opening a total of £80 and donated in positive beforehand Kelston Road after the £50 to Hollyhedge. When behaviour in the and we had landslide.” running the stall, Katie had workplace. to remember to wear gloves to hand Pip Pollack and Katie Coole our language We are out the food for health when we spoke both looking Pictured opposite: and safety. We had to be to people, forward to the Year 10 CoPE students punctual by arriving at 10am making sure we experience but at OldfieldSchool. to set everything up, we had Hayesfield Girls’ School Recently Hayesfield Girls’ would work well with our posters along The lemon juice school held a science fair project. with other key experiment was competition and we were the information. displayed on Before the science fair we winners. For the competition Out of school our stall along always wanted to know why we were allowed to choose we did with our other an apple turns brown, when any topic to research and various other features. Beside we got the chance to choose present at the science fair. investigations it we showed a project we thought it would Both year 7 and 8 took place to see if there half of an apple be a perfect opportunity to and there were stalls with are any ways left out I room find out about it. We started different science projects all that we can temperature to by researching the question over our science block. stop an apple from going show the difference between ‘Why do apples go brown?’ brown. We had lots of these, the outcomes. For our project we chose to The answer to this is: which included: (ordered answer the question…’Why We think the Hayesfield There is iron inside every most successful to the least do apples turn brown’ As science fair was a great cell in the apple and when successful) well as this we decided success and we, along with the apple gets cut into it to do experiment to see if • Lemon juice many others thoroughly damages the cells. The there were ways to stop • Salt water enjoyed the experience. It oxygen in the air then reacts apples from turning brown • Carbonated drinks was a great opportunity to with the iron in the cells. including predictions. To add • Plastic Wrapping investigate some science This then forms iron oxides, to this we made posters and • Room temperature that we don’t usually get to which is actually rust. The laminated booklets all about • Hot water do in our science classes. skin on an apple acts as what we did and why we did; a protective coating and it It turned out that there were Pictured above: this included lots of photos. makes sure the reaction many ways to stop an apple To finish off we thought a Tatum Keen (Year 8) doesn’t happen. from going brown. One of time lapse video to show Maisy Collis (Year 8) them being lemon juice. why an apple goes brown This was displayed on our

Tel: 07908 802 622 Email: [email protected] Web: www.batheducationtrust.com Twitter: @batheductrust BET NEWS Issue 1, Monday 1st June 2015 BET Teacher Training Programme The a customised, high quality and in local Teacher Education Partnership training related to their core primary schools. is committed to the belief that aims and values and to ‘grow BSTs also have children and young people are their own’ teachers. the opportunity entitled to the best learning The BET model offers trainees to participate in experiences. This demands a range of experiences managing and that those teaching them are in different educational experiencing a of the highest quality. environments in the Trust to residential trip In order to achieve this support their understanding to Tir-y-cwm, vision we have developed of issues that impact on the Beechen Cliff’s a strategic ‘partnership with education of young people in cottage in the Bath Education Trust (BET) Bath. School training takes Brecon Beacons. to develop a ‘schools led’ place across three BET The programme training model offering a schools – Hayesfield Girls’ is an exciting comprehensive, high quality School, new model the community and culture in training within a broader and and . of PGCE, building on the local schools. more coherent context. In 2015-16 we welcome traditional ‘university centred’ Together, Bath Spa We are developing a model Oldfield School to the provision. Bath Spa teachers University and BET schools of training which enables the partnership. Opportunities continue to attend the are developing a coherent, schools to take an enhanced for professional development university programme for blended model of training and active role in leading, are many and take place academic aspects of training which incorporates the shaping and delivering the both within the three training including reflection, debate best aspects of school and core provision for the BET schools and in other contexts and research of developing university teacher training and Bath Spa Teachers (BSTs). It such as working in Three practice but also have the which is highly valued by the enables the schools to provide Ways School, , opportunity to become part of BET Bath Spa teachers. Enterprise Challenge March 2015 The Wellsway Challenge Wellsway Challenge Cup - some quite amazing cup- cleaned well!). Cup is a competition the Enterprise Round - was cakes, smoothie making All the profits are going designed to bring a bit more a fun event led by the Sixth in L1 and smoothie selling to the charities of our fun into sixth form life. Our Form but supported by the around the school, ice- choice and include Cancer students work together to entire school. creams and not-so-icy lollies compete in inter-year tutor in Lansdown foyer, sweety Research UK and Cardiac The task was simple - each groups in 7 major events bags, loose change buckets Risk in the Young (CRY), Year 12/13 tutor group over the course of the year, and car washing (for which MS Therapy Centre , was to try to raise as much with points awarded to tutor Mr Bray thanks us all and Hope For Harmonie and money as possible for the groups for their finishing was pleasantly surprised Macmillan Cancer Support, charities of their choice in positions. Last year Mrs that his car was actually Oskar’s SDR Fund, Cancer one day, from a float of £20. Sweet’s tutor group won the Research, Meningitis To raise the stakes cup in a finish that went to Now and Hope For further, the more the very last minute of the Harmonie. we raised the more very last event! points we got for the It was a fantastically Here is what some sixth Cup! fun event that the form students say about the whole of the sixth The way we raised enterprise challenge: form got involved with this was up to us. and to top it all we “After the fantastic success There was a giant raised well over £600 of Round 3 (The Panto Easter Egg raffle Challenge), the fourth round and hunt in Mendip, in one day which was of this year’s sixth form baking and selling of brilliant. A fantastic job

Tel: 07908 802 622 Email: [email protected] Web: www.batheducationtrust.com Twitter: @batheductrust BET NEWS Issue 1, Monday 1st June 2015 Students find out about the digital world In March, BET students were schools, sixth forms and given an inside look at the career colleges. opportunities available in the digital Beechen Cliff School student world. Sam Brake, 17, from Bath said: The 15 to 19 year-olds from across “I’m not sure what I want to go Bath and North East Somerset on to do yet so an event like came face-to-face with more than this is really useful. 30 employers from the creative, “I’ve come along to get as digital and IT sector at the all-day much information as possible Students were taught the Caesar careers fair. about what my options are.” cipher encryption technique and The aim of Digital Futures at Students were encouraged to told: “It’s really tricky; you have Norton College was to attend as many inspirational talks to write in a way the censors will introduce young people to the and masterclasses as they could allow. You use maths to decide how dynamic and fast-growing digital to gain an overview of different to structure your sentences but you sector and its wide variety of industries, what it’s like to work in can’t make mistakes and scribble career opportunities. them and how to apply for jobs. things out.” The event helped them to get Harry Gee from the Bristol Another masterclass was run by a foot on the career ladder by Robotics Company told the technologist Charles Gersham showcasing the jobs available students that he was going to who asked students to destroy in gaming, design, animation, turn them into roboticists as then rework musical toys by programming, digital marketing he encouraged them to build, experimentation. He wanted to and mobile technology. programme and control their own encourage free-thinking through robots. trial and error. Hands-on activities included how to design visual effects for films, He said: “People have been saying The careers event on March create virtual worlds in computer robots are coming since the 70s, 27 also featured an exhibition games, use 3D technology to but now it’s really happening. to give students the chance to make robotic hands, and tackle the Things are going to change in the meet employers and universities challenging world of cyber security next 10-15 years; we’re going to with relevant degrees and to design new software. see more robots in all types of apprenticeships. situations. It was the first event at the College Louise Croft, Careers and to focus on digital careers and “We are already seeing some Employability Manager at Bath attracted up to 500 children from very exciting things; there are College, who organised the event, different types of robots said the day had encouraged making cars, in factories, young people to ‘have a go’ at new agriculture, medicine and career options. education.” She said: “It was a great Meanwhile, professors opportunity for young people to from the School hear about the digital world from of Computing and people who work in it and get Mathematics at Plymouth hands-on in masterclasses taught University taught students by the professionals themselves. how to plan their imaginary escape from a POW camp “As a College we remain committed using codes and ciphers to to helping people take their next protect their secrets. step in education or work.”

Tel: 07908 802 622 Email: [email protected] Web: www.batheducationtrust.com Twitter: @batheductrust BET NEWS Issue 1, Monday 1st June 2015 Ralph Allen School work experience, May 2015 Ralph Allen Year 10 students take part in Past experience has shown that it is an annual work experience week, which best for students to find the placement this year runs from 6-10 July. themselves, but the school supports them throughout the process. The The school encourages all the Year 10 school has strong links with many students to undertake work experience, local businesses. Each placement is and the majority do so. Mr Chantry, Vice assessed to make sure that it complies Principal, says, ‘Undertaking a week of with health and safety requirements. work placement can be a very valuable Students take a log book with them on experience for students. It deepens their their placement, and staff endeavour understanding about what a career in the to visit or ring students during work placement area involves, helps them to experience week. understand their own strengths and areas gym, estate agent and customer services to develop in relation to employability Examples of placements for 2015 include work. In the past students have travelled skills and can also give them first-hand the Next Stage Theatre Company, local far afield, including to the Lake District to experience on which to draw in future job schools as a classroom assistant, local work in a youth hostel, and to Monmouth applications and interviews.’ cafes, working in events management, to work in a sports centre. an equestrian establishment, a local The work experience week is intentionally Ellie Brown, Teacher with responsibility water company, Gwent Wildlife Trust, set near the end of the school year for Careers Education and Guidance, a petshop, Cross Manufacturing Co when all students’ exams and controlled said, ‘The work of work experience is a working in the design engineering dept, assessments for their GCSEs have really important and formative experience Bath Bakery, administration in Dyslexia finished. During that week at school for students. In order for the placement to Action, a plastering firm, Rotork, a clothes there are no Year 10 lessons, but those be successful, it does need to be thought shop, a farm, a sports shop, a vintage students who do not want to undertake through, thoroughly planned and well and rare guitars shop, a web design work experience stay in school and do organised.’ company, a garden centre, hairdressers, supervised private study for their GCSEs. Futures Days - helping GCSE Option Choices The a series of interactive and engage actively provides a range of engaging workshops, with the choice opportunities for BET students explored their and decision- students from Year 7 to personal strengths and making process post-16 to find out more interests, learned about and find out about university life, different educational and about different choosing a course and career pathways, and routes. studying for a degree. For reflected on how their “They really got Years 8 and 9 campus- GCSE Options choices a lot out of the strengths and qualities that based ‘Futures Days’ could help to prepare them session on qualifications. would help them to realise provide students with a for their future goals. They really understood their ambitions and goals. unique opportunity to reflect Students also had the it and could all see the on their GCSE Option It also helped students to opportunity to interact with different ladders. They all choices, and the academic, think ahead, with 84% of students from sixth forms, understood the idea that vocational and work-based students reporting that the colleges and universities to you didn’t just have to go up progression routes they Futures Day had improved find out what these different one route. I think that was might wish to follow post-16. their understanding of educational institutions have really valuable.” the post-GCSE choices In January 2015 BET to offer. Seventy-nine percent of available to them. students from Ralph Allen, Feedback was very positive students said that the Hayesfield and Wellsway Sam Wenman, WPO with teachers reporting that day had helped them to schools took part. Through Outreach Programmes the day helped students to recognise the personal Manager, University of Bath

Tel: 07908 802 622 Email: [email protected] Web: www.batheducationtrust.com Twitter: @batheductrust BET NEWS Issue 1, Monday 1st June 2015 Careers Programme at Beechen Cliff Traditionally our students pupils to consider our pupils have been offered have aspired to follow an a career within the a provisional placement academic route with many engineering sector. for next year. Several look pupils going on to study at ‘A’ forward to starting an local Pupils in Year level. With a high success apprenticeship and many have 10 following rate large numbers of provisional places on courses our vocational pupils have then gone on to at the City of Bath College and pathway also had success at university. Beechen Cliff Sixth Form. the opportunity to This year we wanted to engage with our There have been many ensure that our pupils are Work Experience other activities that we have well informed regarding the programme. Many been involved with this year options available to them and local companies including the Digital Futures are then able to confidentially once again offered event and our own Future make decisions on their College to inform pupils about placements and Horizons evenings for sixth progression options. the range of vocational training some pupils have been offered form students. These events courses and local employment part-time employment and have been well attended To meet this core aim we opportunities that are on offer the possibility of a future and have given pupils the have organised a range of in the BANES area. apprenticeship. necessary information to allow careers activities that have them to further investigate a enabled pupils to investigate The series of events began Year 10engineering pupils also range of careers. career opportunities and gain with the City of Bath Colleges attended the MOD’s first ever advice and guidance. This has apprenticeship specialist, apprenticeship information Next year we look forward to been achieved through year Amy Patterson delivered day at the Shrivenham training engaging further with our BET assemblies, focused group a presentation on what an centre. Pupils investigated partners and local employers. activities and one-to-one apprenticeship is, the routes the role of engineers interviews. to entry and progression within the MOD and had options. Matthew Cooke of the opportunity to discuss In Year 8 all pupils attended the CITB gave an inspirational how a range of armoured the STEM “Engineers of presentation in which he vehicles and artillery Tomorrow” event. This introduced pupils to many are modified to meet comprised an action packed career opportunities within the specific requirements. The presentation and four construction industry. regional training manager engineering related activities. also gave an informative Pupils were fully engaged in The assembly was followed presentation on the types the tasks and the feedback by a series of four high and apprenticeships that from pupils indicated that they quality seminars delivered are currently on offer would like to further investigate by City of Bath College and discussed the many career opportunities within the subject leaders. Pupils were opportunities that the MOD engineering sector. able to attend specialist sessions on construction, has to offer. In Year 9 we worked in engineering, stonemasonry Our work in Year 11 has collaboration with City of Bath and ICT. Pupils gained hands- focused around providing on experience and all pupils with a range of were able to discuss interviews that have given training courses, them the opportunity to entry requirements. discuss and investigate Andrew Blunsdon, their academic and career Managing Director of aspirations. Helen Foley, Priddy Engineering our independent careers Services, provided advisor, has interviewed regional employment many of our pupils and we data and encouraged are delighted that all of

Tel: 07908 802 622 Email: [email protected] Web: www.batheducationtrust.com Twitter: @batheductrust