Preparing for the future

STUDENTS learned plenty about the world of work when they quizzed professionals about their jobs.

The pupils at Winterhill School spent time chatting with a soldier, a solicitor and others — including Advertiser reporter DAVE DOYLE and photographer STEVE METTAM.

They asked about hours, pay and perks to get an idea of where to set their career sights.

The students were all in Year 10 and Year 11 at the Kimberworth school and are soon to complete their GCSEs.

Aspiring vet Ellie Stead (14) from Thorpe Hesley said: “This was very different to a normal careers day.

“The chance to ask questions meant that we got a lot more information.”

Milly Baldwin (15), also from Thorpe Hesley, said: “Today has given me a much clearer picture of a lot of jobs, some of which I didn’t even know existed.

“I’m interested in being a fitness trainer now, when I wasn’t at all interested in that before.”

Emily Phillips (15), from Bradgate, added: “It’s interesting to know more about different jobs — there’s a lot more to them than you might think.

“We’ve learned a lot about the qualifications you need, which is very useful. I think I’d like to be an art teacher.”

Careers advisor Becky Taylor organised the interactive event which also saw teachers, a social worker and a vet take questions from the curious pupils.

Students took turns sitting with each professional, spending five minutes learning as much as they could about their job and training.

Becky said: “The aim of today was to raise the aspirations of our brightest students.

“They all got good grades and had the potential to go into a professional career — we want to inspire them to reach for those.”

She added: “I think the event went very well. Five minutes was just about enough to get an insight into each profession and find out if it interests them.

“Good career guidance is so important because they can see why we push them to get the grades and they start linking their school work to potential professions.”

Ryan Kingston, curriculum leader for technology, said: “These students are our future doctors, surgeons and the like.

“It’s important they understand that, if they leave here with good grades, the world will be their oyster.”