Every pupil in Year 8 took part in a special careers event that allowed them to meet numerous local employers and many of our Alumni. Our Speed Networking event gave pupils the chance to meet with our guests and speak to them about their careers and educational journeys, gaining important advice for their futures. Each small group of pupils had 5 minutes to speak to a guest, before we swapped the guests over. Pupils were therefore able to meet with at least 6 new people, developing their confidence communicating. It was also wonderful to welcome so many of our former Barr Beacon students back to the school, who are always so keen to volunteer and give back to the school that once supported them.  

Pupils met a veterinary surgeon, a conductor, an Assistant Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Consultant for WSP, a Wholesale Credit Underwriter for LE Capital UK, a mental health professional and Thoughtful Impact lead for Birmingham universities and hospitals, a Railway Engineer, a Junior PR and Content Executive for WPR Agency, a CIPD Lecturer at Wolverhampton College, site managers at Kier Construction and a freelance speaker and writer, specialising in psychiatric system change. 

Year 12 students with aspirations to apply to Cambridge enjoyed attending their recent open day. Students viewed a series of taster lectures, ranging from medicine through to Computer Science, and toured some of the colleges. It was a great opportunity to meet current students and hear their advice, as well as to listen to the professors and academics. The students also had time to explore the beautiful city of Cambridge.  

Year 8 pupils with the top praise points in their year were rewarded with a trip to the Inspiring the Black Country event at Wolverhampton Racecourse. Pupils had the chance to explore a vast array of interactive careers exhibits, allowing them to explore careers in construction, hospitality, security, healthcare and many more. 

One of our students, Jamie, was complimented by representatives from the construction company Equans for his “highly advanced building and problem solving skills”. Whilst pupil Gabriella said: “It was really fun. There was so much to do and I learnt about lots of new careers.”

The first of our Year 7 university taster days took place at Aston University, where pupils enjoyed exploring the vast campus and then used this as inspiration to design their own university. Pupils learnt all about the benefits of higher education and degree apprenticeships, taking part in quizzes to learn about university life and meeting current students. We were even lucky enough to be toured around the university by a former Barr Beacon pupil, Hibbah, who is enjoying her studies of Politics with Economics and about to enter her year in industry.  

Year 10 pupils with an interest in engineering attended a Taster Day at In-Comm Training, where they learnt more about the apprenticeship routes into these careers. Following a factory tour, pupils put their maths and science skills to the test, designing their own functioning arm using hydraulic and pneumatic power. Their models were then presented to two apprentices and a winner chosen. Each team created a successful model and took a unique approach.  

The pupils said: 

“I really enjoyed the tour and getting to see everyone at work.”

“I enjoyed making the model as we were given materials but no set way to build it, so we could be creative.”

“I learnt about the different types of engineering and the skills I need to talk about at interview to get a job.”

“I liked having the chance to build a functional device with a supportive team.”

Year 9 pupils took part in a workshop delivered by HS2 and the Smallpeice Trust. Pupils were introduced to the range of job roles in STEM that HS2 has to offer and had the chance to complete a number of challenges, including designing their own train station and building a sustainable bridge prototype. The winning bridge designs had to hold a heavy weight, with the most successful entries being from Team 1: F. Houghton, J. Keogh, G, Grant and K. Kapoor and Team 2: Y. Rayhaan, J. Gillon, T. Fajimi and D. Earl.  

Pupils enjoyed the chance to test their engineering abilities with some requesting more careers days like this in school in future. 

We have been very lucky to be joined by a doctor, nurse and paramedic at Barr Beacon School this term. Pupils met with the healthcare professionals and asked them questions about their careers. It was a chance to hear about the inspiring work they undertake each day, but also to hear about the realities of the profession to help our pupils decide if this career is for them. For pupils in Year 9, it was a chance to consider their career path after reflecting on their GCSE option choices; and for students in Year 12, who will shortly be approaching their university and apprenticeship applications, it was an opportunity to gain that all-important advice to help them make their final decisions. 

Year 12 Aspiring Medics visited Imperial College London for the first ever In2Med School Hackathon. After months of preparation, students delivered a presentation addressing a health need in their local community to a panel of doctors, with our two teams choosing to tackle diabetes and substance abuse in the homeless. Our teams were competing against schools from all over the UK and faced difficult questions from the panel of judges. Both teams performed brilliantly under pressure and one team made it into the Top 5, winning a prize for Most Engaging Presentation. 

The whole project allowed our students to develop a vast range of skills in preparation for medical school. Students put themselves out of their comfort zone presenting to large audience of experts, but every single student rose to the occasion and represented Barr Beacon School admirably. 

We extend our thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers at In2Med School, who organised this opportunity for our students.  

35 Year 9 pupils visited the University of Birmingham to take part in language masterclasses. Pupils experienced learning two languages out of Portuguese, Catalan, Mandarin and even Russian! Barr Beacon aims for all pupils to study French or German at GCSE and the day was a way of showing year 9s what it could be like to study a language at university. Pupils also enjoyed exploring the campus, in the shadow of Old Joe, the famous clock tower. The pupils were a credit to themselves and the school in their conduct and participation in the event.