The Way Ahead, St Benedict's College

 The objective of the event is to motivate students to think positively about their future career and thus to encourage them to work hard whilst still at school.  This should enable them to subsequently enjoy the fruits of their efforts in the world of work, despite the current difficult economic environment.

 The students, approximately 180 in total, are from Years 9 and 10 - aged 14 to 15 – and they have identified the career subject that they would like to hear more about.  There will be six parallel sessions, one for each topic, with a maximum of 30 students in each group.  Each session will be chaired by a member of Forum.

 Inevitably, for some the subject will not be their particular choice but hopefully they will still learn a lot and be motivated to do well.

Past experience.

 Students have found the event very valuable and were inspired to think seriously about career options for the future.  The event made a real impact on them, working with purpose and direction, to achieve the required grades in their future examinations.  Some quotes from students include:-

 “Very informative.”

“An eye opener, showed me the different aspects of the real world.”

“Made me think about my future.”

“Gave me inspiration to reach my goals.”

 “I now understand much more about the world of retail.”

The parallel sessions

 Each session lasts 60 minutes, and speakers usually embrace some or all of:-

-Their own educational background,

-How they developed over their working life,

-An insight into some of the challenges that they faced,

-What they judge to be their successes,

-What their current working / professional role is,

-Further insights so that the students can develop their own WAY AHEAD,

-Leave the students ready to open their minds to the many options available.

Topics.

 The top six subjects (in no particular order) are:-

A.  Sports Management, (including Coaching, Physiotherapy, etc.)

Guest Speaker: Mark Lloyd,

- Lecturer, Department of Sports Science, University of Essex.

- Manager, Great Britain Senior & Under-20 Men Basketball Team.

B.  The N.H.S., (The broad range of careers, including G.P.s, Nurses, Radiography, Health Care, etc.).

Guest Speaker: Philippa Bradstock,

- Programme Leader, BSc Pre-Reg Adult Nursing, University of Essex.

C   Performing Arts.

Guest Speaker:  Nathan Brine,

- Associate Producer, The Mercury Theatre, Colchester.

D.  Business Entrepreneurism.

Guest Speaker:  Peter Beadles,

- Non-Exec Director, Reader Offers Ltd., Colchester.

E.  Engineering, (all disciplines).

Guest Speaker:  Martin Repka,

- Senior Mechanical Engineer, Flakt Woods Ltd., Colchester.

F.  The Law

Guest Speaker: Imogen Grainger,

- TSP Legal, Colchester.

Detailed arrangements

 Tuesday, 3^rd May, 2016.

St. Benedict’s College, Norman Way, Lexden, Colchester, CO3 3US

Tel:  01206 549 222 – Reception

Tel;  01206 516 811 – Trish Axtell

www.stbenedicts.essex.sch.uk

08.45 am:  Arrive and park.  Please park in the first car park that you come to on the right-hand side of the approach road.  Park at the end nearest Lexden Road (and therefore furthest from the School), near to the right-hand hedge.  The buses park and drop off at the other end of this car park, (nearest the school).  Please allow extra time for general school traffic along Lexden Road.

08.50 am:  Check-in at reception.

 09.00 am:  Join chosen session.

9.05 – 10.05 am: Six parallel sessions.

10.15 am at the latest:   depart.

If you decide that you’d like to join us, please email me by Monday evening, 2^nd may, 2016.  This will allow me to get you registered and a car parking space made available.  I look forward to seeing you there.For more information, please contact me on:-077 86 11 55 40iangdewis@gmail.com