Sarah McGinnety, Assistant Headteacher at Woodham Academy, was recognized for her innovative work in careers education at The Northern Echo Awards at the Xcel Centre last week.
Year 9 students at Woodham Academy have been working alongside six key companies from the Aycliffe Business Park in an attempt to raise awareness of the opportunities that exist in apprenticeships. The programme was originally developed through sponsorship secured from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership and Aycliffe Fabrications. Assistant Headteacher, Sarah McGinnety, who has responsibility for careers education, set up the new programme, because she felt students had no awareness of the career opportunities available locally in a large number of companies on the industrial estate.
Each of the six year 9 tutor groups at Woodham Academy were mentored by a different business and given the task of researching career opportunities available in the company.  Over the nine weeks programme for 2014 the businesses that were involved were Livin Housing Ltd, Gestamp Tallent, Finley Structures, Thorn Academy of Light, Shepherd Construction, Ebac Ltd. The challenge brief encouraged students to look at entry routes into apprenticeships, qualification levels, working/training hours, pay and career progression.  Students presented their findings to an audience of business leaders, staff, parents and other students and the presentations were judged according to the challenge brief.  The six groups put forward their presentations with a view to educating students in year 9, 10 and 11 about the opportunities that exist on their doorstep. The judging panel listened to all of the presentations and then elected an overall winner. The 2014 winner was 9DP with Ebac.
The project is a great way for students to get hands on experience of working life with the manufacturing and engineering sector.
Sarah’s work has gained national recognition for excellence in careers education.