Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) in Blackburn are hoping to create some personal links with local companies who might be able to mentor some of their keenest students. Ideally, this would include student visits or a day shadowing an employee with businesses willing to take year 10 and year 12 students for a weeks work experience in the Trinity term.
Businesses that might have apprenticeship and employment opportunities arising that could be highlighted to targeted students is what they are looking for. Some flexibility may be required as school timetables and activities do not always allow students to be out of school.
Paul Taylor is the Head of Careers and the school lead for all CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) for all years 7-13. All Careers initiatives and events are run through the Careers Department including the year 10 and year 12 work experience programme. As a truly comprehensive intake, our year 11 students proceed onto the whole range of courses post 16- A-levels, BTECs, T-levels, apprenticeships and work-based training/employment. QEGS find it particularly difficult to find meaningful placements for many of their students in practical based careers such as manufacturing and engineering.
They only offer A-levels in the 6th form so almost 100% of our year 13 students intend to start degrees at University and follow a traditional pathway. Owing to the quality of these students, they often find work placements, but they would like to develop links with local firms for mentoring individuals/small groups on-line and with site visits to employers.
QEGS would like to be able to bring small groups to employers for a morning/day. As a small 6th form they often have only 1 or 2 students who are choosing a particular career and individual support for them would be ideal.
By running short 1-2hr "Meet the Employer" events in the Trinity term and asking employers to talk to a number of small groups each for about 10 minutes about their role, career path and employment field they aim to inspire year 8/9 students. The more local employers from all fields the better as it is really difficult to find a good range of employers.
Judy Powell is the Independent Careers Interviewer who works 3 days, Wed-Friday, in the department. Throughout the year she interviews all year 11 and year 12 students and then targeted groups. Any opportunities from employers would go through Judy to the students so that we could target the best matches and fully support the student making the necessary links with employers and maintaining the correct relationship.
If you are a business in the local area and are able to offer any assistance please contact:
Mr Paul Taylor - Head of Careers
Email: ptaylor@qegsblackburn.com
Telephone: 01254 686300
Mrs Judy Powell - Independent Careers Advisor
Email: jpowell@qegsblackburn.com
Telephone: 01254686300