Darlington 11-19 Practitioner Newsletter Welcome In This Issue… • Foundation for Jobs • Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College - Politics in Washington DC It is a pleasure at the beginning of my year as Chair of the Partnership to introduce the latest edition of the practitioner newsletter. I would also • Darlington College - Great British Cook-off like to take this opportunity to thank Tim Fisher for his excellent • Longfield Academy - Money Skills stewardship of the Partnership over the last twelve months. • The Education Village - Learning has no Limits In this period of a shifting educational and economic landscape it is • DBC - Apprenticeship Week 2013 Challenges fabulous to read about the vast array of activities, events and • SWDT - Government Localisation to opportunities that are being offered to young people across the area. This Bridge Youth Unemployment Gap edition of the newsletter features an overview of the outstanding • St Aidan’s Academy - Success for Young Darlington Boxer partnership work that is taking place across the borough. These include • Carmel College Students Reap the the much deserved national recognition for the first class work of the Rewards for their Enterprise Foundation for Jobs Partnership, the success of the Apprenticeship Week • Longfield Academy - Londonderry Cup Final as well as a host of superb projects and initiatives carried out by secondary schools and post-16 providers across the region. • Darlington College - Employment Opportunities • St Aidan’s Academy Links with India It is evident that the Partnership is a strong one and that its goal of to Boost Education achieving the best possible outcomes for all students remains at the • SWDT - Careers Advice will get people on Ladder to Success forefront of its agenda. I am confident that we will continue on this path • St Aidan’s Academy - Teenager on and I look forward to an optimistic future. Track for Cycling Success • The Education Village - TeachMeet EV Style • St Aidan’s Academy - Green Screen Era • The Education Village - Transition is Not Just for Year 6s • Carmel College - Chinese Abacus Lessons in Mathematics • Teesside University News • Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College - Poetry by Heart • Carmel College - Darlington Sports Winner’s Scheme Grand Final • Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College - Dean Judson Building and Racing Hovercrafts Head teacher, Hurworth School Issue 12 Chair, 11—19 Partnership May 2013 © Darlington 11-19 Partnership 1 Foundation For Jobs A campaign which links school pupils and students with business and industry has won a national award. Foundation for Jobs, a partnership between The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council and Darlington Partnership of public and private sector organisations, brings together employers and education providers across Darlington to boost the levels of employment and ‘work-readiness’ of young people under the age of 25. In March it was named the best local economic partnership at the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards, presented in London. Since its creation last year, the Foundation for Jobs has provided more than 1,000 school pupils with direct contact from employers, as well as creating 120 new apprenticeships, 125 internship or work experience placements and giving 66 young people entrepreneurial skills to encourage future business creation. Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, the former Bishop of Durham, is patron of the campaign. Firms and organisations to support the campaign include Cummins Engines, Amec, The Banks Group, Darchem, Virgin Money, Mech-Tool, Marchday, Durham Tees Valley Airport, Modus Subsea, Farmway, the Institution of Civil Engineers and Teesside University, amongst others. Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “Congratulations to all involved – the staff and organisations involved and the businesses who have committed to giving Darlington’s young people a great future. The award is fantastic recognition of what we have achieved together.” Chris McEwan, the council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration and chairman of the Foundation for Jobs board, said: “After all the hard work, the award is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the young people and local businesses.” Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, added: “I am proud of the leading role The Northern Echo has played in such an important initiative.” Politics in Washington DC Seventeen students studying A Level Politics at Darlington’s Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, recently visited Washington DC as part of a joint trip with Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. Whilst in America’s capital they were privileged to meet with Senator Sanders from Vermont, toured Congress and the Supreme Court and took part in a debate over gun control with representatives from the National Rifle Association and the Coalition to End Gun Violence – very topical. Student, Katie Hunter, commented: “Meeting politicians, lobbyists and pressure group representatives really brought the Politics and my course to life.” Head of Politics, Gary Hogg, said: “This is the fourth time the trip has run and not only does it provide an insight into US Politics, it also helps prepare the students for university as they meet and work with students from another part of the UK”. There was consensus from all that the visit was brilliant! 2 Local Apprentices Taste Success in Battle of the Kitchen Judges had their taste buds tickled in Darlington at ‘The Great British Menu – Cook-off!’ – a mouth-watering challenge between local apprentices and staff from the National Apprenticeship Service and Darlington College. The culinary extravaganza held at Darlington College was part of the sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week which celebrated Apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals and businesses. Apprentices Tom Glasper (16) and Mark Bray (18) won the competition, with the teams challenged to create a three course meal that contained local, British produce in a bid to wow a judging panel which included College Principal, Tim Grant. Tom and Mark were just some of the local catering apprentices who went head-to-head with the team from the National Apprenticeship Service and Darlington College, which comprised of Compliance Officer, Jon Hall and Business Development Advisor, Danielle Johnson. The apprentices already work in the industry at ‘Seasons’ restaurants in Richmond Station and Darlington, ‘Roots’ at East Rounton and ‘Franco’s’ in Bishop Auckland. Darlington College currently offers a wide range of Apprenticeship frameworks from Business Administration to Engineering, constantly responding to business needs in challenging times. The apprentices who took part in the cook-off are currently undertaking the Level 2 qualification in Professional Cookery with units covering the preparation of meat, poultry and fish as well as preparing soups, stocks and pastry dishes. Apprentice students then have the opportunity to progress to the Level 3 Apprenticeship in either Kitchen and Larder or Patisserie. Alan Wallace, Head of Apprenticeships Employer Accounts for the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) in the North East, added: “This Great British Menu – Cook off! was obviously designed to be great fun, but also showcase the talent, skill and enthusiasm some of our outstanding local apprentice chefs bring to the table. It was fantastic to see some of the region’s best young apprentices put through their paces!” Darlington College’s Sales Support Officer Jane Wilson said: “This was a great opportunity to increase the profile of the benefits of Apprenticeships and showcase the ability of our students under the pressure of competition.” The cook-off capped a hugely successful sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week, with hundreds of events and activities having taken place across England. The over-arching theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2013 was “Apprenticeships Deliver”. This year it was about showcasing the achievements and benefits Apprenticeships deliver for both apprentices and their employers and utilising their experiences to positively inform and persuade others to get involved. 3 Five Lamps Boost Young People’s Confidence in Money Skills at Longfield Academy On March 12 th young people at Longfield Academy aged 14-15 received a full-day programme called Money Twist, specifically aimed at Key Stage 4 learners. Money Twist approaches financial capability in a hands-on manner as young people debate, play games, watch video case studies and involve physical activity in their learning. Participants are encouraged to give their own views and critically analyse various financial problems that people are faced with, as well as considering their own financial futures. The workshops are designed to get young people thinking and caring about their finances, both now and in their short and long-term futures. The programme is delivered in 3 sessions: My Money: Payslips, tax, national insurance, government spending, minimum wage and careers. My Choices: Needs and wants, choices and lifestyle, budgeting, shopping deals and saving. My Future: Interest, current and savings accounts, flow of money, ethical choices and forms of payment. Feedback from the pupils was excellent. Here’s how their confidence and skills improved over the day: Percentage of participants reporting good or better: Before the programme: After the programme: Understanding of how much the minimum wage is 37% 100% Understanding of what deductions are made from a person’s 16% 88% payslip Understanding