Students and staff across school and college proudly celebrated National Careers Week at the start of March. This was an excellent opportunity to explore careers guidance with our young people, empowering them to make informed choices about their future options.
Career talks and workshops focused on a wide variety of student interests and topics, from accessible music in orchestras, helping the environment as a forest ranger to trialling a new game with a game designer.
At Treloar's, we actively encourage our students to raise aspirations of what is possible in the community and in the workplace.
Throughout the week, we welcomed 13 employers, entrepreneurs and organisations who delivered inspiring workshops across school and college.
On Monday, we were visited by:
- our former student Alessandro Vazzana who gave a performance using Clarion and a talk about his musical journey.
- Ross Lannon, who is a Radio presenter and disability blogger joined our students via zoom to talk about his blog called "A Life on Wheels" which documents his journey through adulthood, as a young man with a physical disability and his regular shows he produces for CHAOS Radio.
- Gloria Vessey a barrister who ran a session about how to become an advocate and core skills for the role.
- Phoenix Arts: Elizabeth Blake and team. Elizabeth is the Phoenix's Dance Officer and Associate Artist. She ran a Disability Art Music & Movement session for our students to explore different community-based opportunities they may want to consider in the future.
On Tuesday:
- we were visited by Sam Rogerson, the founder of Children’s Business Fair, who delivered a workshop about how to become a great entrepreneur and start a successful business.
- we also welcomed Deadwater Valley Trust rangers who led a session in Treloar's outdoor learning area, discussing different jobs to help our environment. The session included practical outdoor activities.
- Ricky Tart, a freelance artist and performer, spent a day at Treloar's helping Sixth Form students with their theatrical production, sharing his knowledge and experience of being on stage and performing.
- Amy and Robyn from Hart Wildlife Rescue in Alton gave a talk about the work they do, protecting endangered and injured animals. The talk was a chance to learn about careers with animal care and wildlife protection within a local charity.
On Thursday, our students attended sessions with:
- our patron Tom Yendell, a mouth and foot painter, who visited us to tell his story and share his passion to get more disabled people involved in art.
- Artistic Director Helen who led an online talk about Propel Dance, the UK’s first all-wheelchair professional dance company.
- Aramark Catering who prepared a fun and interactive session in our kitchen: students found out more about what goes on behind the scenes in catering.
- Lottie Barr from Buttons and Bubbles ran a sensory workshop that focused on helping students express choice and their preferences, using different colours and textures. She then led a practical workshop with our Employability and Vocational students to empower students with their business ideas and provide practical tips with ‘hands on’ activities.
- Oscar Salandin, a game designer, who prepared a session in our Interactive Learning Zone for students interested in game development.
- Marcus Kingwell, Chief Operating Officer at Skateboard GB, the national governing body for skateboarding, who visited us to talk to students about the wide range of career opportunities in sport.
Thank you to the employers and organisations who took time out to visit Treloar's and offer these amazing experiences to our young people.
Feedback from students
"It was really good. I liked when he spoke about the radio and getting onto it because it is something that interests me."
"The session was really fun and interesting. Would love for more of these sessions."