The week has been busy, and learners have had lots of information about the world of work, the local labour market and post-16 education. 

We certainly started Careers Week off with a bang. Karen Bamber from Runshaw College spent time with all Key Stage 4 classes discussing what college will be like. She talked about all the things that learners would need to take to college, what happens on the first day and how learners might be feeling. She told everyone that it is ok to be worried or nervous as everyone feels the same.  

Lee James from Department of Work and Pensions started her 5-week employability workshops with KS4 too. Today Lee spent an hour in class getting to know the learners and taking part in ice breaking activities.  

On Tuesday, Alison Sadler from the Careers Enterprise Company, visited school to deliver a one and half hour enterprise session. Learners followed the “plan-do-review" process to make key ring charms.  They loved them so much that they decided to keep them.  Watch this space as this enterprise will be a fundraising project for our current year ten pupils during summer term.  

A couple of our Alumni, Callum Radcliffe and Sam Schofield, visited us too.  Both pupils left in 2022 and are attending Newman College. They talked about life at Newman College, transport, food, what they liked and what they did not like. They did an amazing job.  

On Wednesday, Stuart Pryce, a young man who left Astley Park in 2016, spent time with pupils in the morning. Being truly inspirational, Stuart is now a Store Manager for a Morrisons Daily store and also part owns his own restaurant.  It was great to see him back at school and to show our learners that anything is possible if you only give it a try. 

On Thursday, the local employer Telent, delivered two different workshops, one on interviews and the other around Manual Handling and PPE. Sian asked pupils to think about what a good and bad interview might look like. Gary brought personal protective gear into school and let pupils try things on. He also asked pupils to think about safely moving around and staying safe in the workplace. 

On Friday, we finished on a high with Kerry from Lowther Pavilion Theatre delivering workshops on careers in the performing arts.  Pupils had chance to dress up and act out pantomimes. Learners thought about what jobs need doing in the theatre.  Jonathan Kelly also came in to chat to learners about working for Bosch Service Solutions.  Some of our learners will also visit Bosch in Liverpool for a work placed visit later in the month.  Jonathan discussed how important it is for us to stay positive and not so “say not until you give it a go.”   

Thankyou to all our contributors this week. You have all been amazing and have given our learners lots to think about for their futures.  

KS4 Team