Pupils in years 10 and 11 at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe have been enjoying the opportunity to spend part of their time studying vocationally related courses at The Manchester College. Here they work towards achieving national vocational qualifications (NVQs) covering a variety of career related work including a focus on hairdressing, horticulture and automation. This gives them the opportunity to try out various interests and identify which career may suit them best.
In the first year of the course they receive tasters in hairdressing, horticulture and automation and in the second year they choose one area in which to specialise, this year the Year 11s chose Automation. This is an excellent chance to learn more about working life and develop the skills the pupils are going to need for the future.
Of the six pupils involved, five of them are progressing to higher level courses in Automation at college next year and the sixth has chosen a different course.
“This mixture of college and school attendance and work experience is a great opportunity,” explained Mr. Alan Chapman, the school’s Careers I.A.G. Co-coordinator. “It gives our pupils a chance to start on the vocational ladder and allows them to gain essential knowledge and practical skills which will help them throughout their working lives.”
“I am delighted with the way the students have seized this opportunity, they are applying themselves well to this work and making the most of the learning,” commented Mr. Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “We can already see the increased self-confidence and independence in these students.”