"We’ve had a busy Autumn term at Bulwell Academy particularly seeking to ensure that all Year 11 students have completed their application forms for sixth form/college. We have worked hard to integrate the Connexions service and these efforts are really showing a return on our investment now.

The Careers Advice Centre has been a hive of activity following a dynamic Year 11 assembly given by Jackie Morgan. The students suddenly realised that application forms, personal statements and references needed writing and time was running out fast, especially for the 6th form applications to Bilborough.

Thanks to the hard work of the Connexions team and Year 11 tutors we are on track and can look forward to the New Year knowing that our students are now waiting to be interviewed by their chosen 6th form or college of further education. Students specifically wanting an apprenticeship are having a special assembly and workshop in January 2010, with the purpose of enabling students to understand the National Apprenticeship Service and Connexions guidance offers. (This supports Step 3- Let student choose a pathway which matches their aspirations.)

The Aimhigher Associates Mentoring Scheme

This scheme enlists the help of 14 Nottingham Trent and Nottingham University students who are providing mentoring support for seventy of our Aimhigher students in years 10 and 11. The scheme enables students to consider their HE/FE options; some of the most powerful outcomes being to give a young person ‘permission’ to think about university. The programme will run through until the end of May 2010.

Making informed careers choices

It’s Your Future presentation:
‘Theatre&’ gave a presentation to the Year 11’s about their education and career options to highlight which pathway to choose on leaving school. It was a very entertaining and informative show which answered many questions for our students in an understandable format.

Look at Life: 5 day residential with the Army:
Eight students participated on this a day programme to introduce them to Army careers. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, although they returned exhausted and with blistered feet! Students experienced teamwork tasks, night camps and completed an assault course incorporating a mile and a half run, not a mean feat when it has to be completed in ten minutes. All the students received a certificate that highlighted their achievements. Three students have now progressed to apply for a place with the Army.

"Steps into Healthcare” and “Construct your life, engineer your future”:
These were two performances aimed at year 8 students to help with their options choices. Considering careers within the engineering sector and within the NHS; did you know that the NHS is the 5th largest employer in the world (The Indian Railway Company is the largest employer). A follow-up event will take place in the new year highlighting the Academy’s KS4 options.

Construction or Mechanics:
Sixty students visited Castle College in Nottingham for a morning of mechanics, bricklaying, plastering, painting and decorating plumbing and joinery. We are actively encouraging “Girls into Construction” but didn’t they throw themselves into the experience.

Dentistry:
Fifteen students attended the “Science isn’t all chemicals and test tubes” event. Students donned white lab coats and safety goggles and were put through their paces making a plaster cast of a finger and filling a tooth cavity, before visiting a crime scene where they tried to detect which student had murdered the night watchman. They also discovered how many opportunities there were to be gained by achieving a “C” at GCSE.

Guru Lectures

Steve Bull, Explorer:
During Enterprise Week the inspirational Arctic explorer, Steve Bull, came in to talk with the Year 9’s about his life and his exploits since leaving school and the places he has visited. His business is now worth £500,000 and he admits that dyslexia was something he did not see as a stumbling block, but made him more determined to do well even when people he met kept on saying, “he would never amount to anything”.

For more information please contact Alison Bingham, Director of Business & Enterprise at Bulwell Academy on a.bingham@bulwellacademy.co.uk or look at the website at: www.bulwellacademy.co.uk