Two University academics take part in a school event
Two University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) scientists and a former Preston North End youth coach were among the guest speakers who inspired pupils at a special aspirations event.
UCLan’s Dr Catherine Tennick, Lecturer in Forensic Science, Dr Barbara Tigar, Lecturer in Environmental Biology and Ecology, and former professional footballer and coach Jamie Hoyland were among seven guests from across Lancashire invited to Alder Grange School, in Rawtenstall.
The event was attended by students from Year 7 to 12, and aimed to inspire them to achieve their full career potential. It was the second in the series of events held at the school based around aspirations.
The day kicked off with a talk from the school’s former head teacher Iain Hulland who spoke to the pupils about his career working as an airline pilot, before suffering a number of setbacks and re-training as a teacher.
Pupils were then put into groups with an expert in the career area that they were interested in, who talked to them about the job that they do, their career background and helped them to fill out a career action plan.
Former Preston North End youth coach Jamie Hoyland, who is now an Everton scout, said: “I’m delighted to have been involved in what has been a very successful event. The kids were brilliant; they were really enthusiastic, keen to take part and were very attentive. It’s very refreshing to speak to so many young people who know exactly where they want to go in life and have a plan of how they want to achieve their dream.”
Dr Barbara Tigar added: “I’m very impressed with the school for organising this event, it’s never too early to provide informative careers advice, and it is really important to get young people to engage with researching and planning their career aspirations. It was very rewarding to work with students who were so enthusiastic and I wish them all the best with their studies.”
"“I’m very impressed with the school for organising this event, it’s never too early to provide informative careers advice, and it is really important to get young people to engage with researching and planning their career aspirations."
Other attendees were: Cassons Chartered Accountants; RLC Engineering Group, Prowise, education and technology specialist.
David Heywood, Senior Leader of public relations/able gifted and talented and Curriculum Leader of creative, expressive and performing arts, said: “The event was aimed at providing practical advice and guidance for our pupils in areas of interest that they identified.
“We were thrilled to welcome all our guests to the school and really appreciate them giving up their time. The feedback we’ve had so far from our pupils is that it gave them valuable insight the different careers available and they have gone away from the day feeling inspired and with a greater sense of what they want to achieve.”