Students plan for the future with help from public services
The Duchess's Community High School, Alnwick, recently hosted a careers day, in which students could examine careers in the Army, Royal Navy, RAF, Coastguard, fire, police, ambulance service and Merchant Navy, and talk to the professionals there.
Mr Brown, head of the department of public services, said the day revolved predominantly around students turning up to have a chat with those present. He said each year group was given an hour, and it was up to them to find out what they wanted.
He said a number of Year 9 tutors approached him after the day and said they had students who had been given a direction from not having any idea of what they wanted to do, to them talking with the people and coming away with some food for thought.
One Year 9 student, James Cook, said he found the day useful, especially due to the ‘insight on all the public services’. He also believes the school should do more days like this as it ‘really helps people choose between different careers’.
Mr Brown said: “We are trying to give students the opportunity to make informed decisions.” In terms of future experience for any students, he added: “Kirkley Hall and Newcastle College run fantastic public-services courses, and of course the school runs its own course. The other thing you can do is use the internet, and ask the right questions.”
Mr Brown suggests going to the teachers and checking with them who they think might be best to ask.
He said there is a planned full careers day with various companies to be held in the sports hall, but the next specific public-services careers day should be in a year’s time.