Aspire | Issue 1 | 02

Aspire 2011/2012 Team: Editor: Connor Putnam

Assistant Editor: Lydia RussellHead of G&T: Mrs Yates

Design & Layout: Connor Putnam

Correspondents:Alexander TowlsonGeorge Esworthy

Beckie CarterGeorgia ClarkeSamuel Griffiths

Brogan Coulson-HagginsHayley Smith

Josephine HydeMatthias De Veer

Moreover, all images in this issue are copyright-free and some are shared under the “ShareAlike” license. Other images are original artwork such as the cover image of the school and the image above- taken by pupils of Bablake School, with permission to be used in Aspire.

Connor Putnam

With particular reference to the “Current Affairs” article, the editorial team would like to remind readers that views addressed in articles are that of the author and not of the entire team or the school. No offence or discrimination is intended toward any group or organisation within this magazine.

G&T Newsletter

At the Careers Convention at Bablake on Thursday 2nd February a fine array of former pupils, local businesses and both national and local universities came together to offer encouragement, advice and work experience possibilities to present students. This event, arranged by the Careers Department, offered pupils the opportunity to ask the profession-als about their jobs in depth and how they them-selves came to make the decisions they made, from GCSE all the way through to their current career position. This vitally important information helped those who were at the stage of choosing GCSE options and those who were thinking of ‘A’ level choices and beyond.

Over 300 people consulted our excellent band of delegates, who were representing a very wide range of national and local businesses and universities. Not only did the students ask many questions but parents

too were actively encouraged to take part, in order for them to feel informed whilst assisting their young people with important decisions.

Diversity was an important factor of the evening and not only careers such as medicine and dentistry were catered for but also work placement opportu-nities and gap year ideas. Some of the large compa-nies represented offered their own training programmes or graduate training programmes and these proved particularly interesting to some.

By forging links with local and national companies, Bablake students were able to obtain an insight into the working day of their proposed profession and to discuss where such careers could lead them. Many professions were prepared to offer work experi-ence enabling students to have an extra insight, that would be available for their personal profiles and statements supporting any future applications.

Mr Mark Woodward, Head of Careers, said: “As well as being very pleased to have so many big companies and highly respected universities attend-ing, I was delighted to be able to invite so many successful former pupils to the Convention. Many more were unable to attend but have said to me that they would be delighted to talk to current pupils by email.

The delegates were highly impressed with our pupils, of course that is no surprise to me, since I deal with them every day, but it is lovely to heara number of delegates talk to us about very exciting initiatives and I look forward to developing those over the next few months. I learnt a lot last night and am sure everyone else did too.

I was also very impressed with the support the Lower Sixth gave my department before the event, greeting delegates with a warm welcome”.

“As well as being very pleased to have so many big companies and highly respected universities attending, I was delighted to be able to invite so many successful former pupils to the Convention.”

Overall, the convention was of great benefit to all pupils who attended and has no doubt guided many pupils to where they want to be in ten years from now. An outstanding success - thank you Mr Woodward!