A Busy Year for Bristol WORKS at Orchard School and Merchants’ Academy
Just as we have done with Ashton Park and City Academy, here is our summary of Bristol WORKS activity across our two remaining partner schools, Orchard School Bristol and Merchants Academy.
With well attended employability days already happening for various year groups at Orchard School, Bristol WORKS was happy to support these sessions with additional employers. Bristol Energy delivered telephone skills sessions to year 10s – offering advice, guidance and role play around the importance of first impressions, politeness and asking the right questions. Later in the year, Boomsatsuma worked with year 10s on a marketing exercise. Groups had to create their own start-up, designing the concept and brand identity to present to their peers for feedback.
Orchard School also benefited from the year 8 STEMworks session with EDF. The group of 60 year 8 students worked together to design a carriage for launching eggs whilst learning about future apprenticeships at EDF Hinkley Point C.
Merchants’ Academy had visiting employers from Bristol City Council as well as The Square Food Foundation, who offered a live food demonstration on stage. These visits aimed to offer year 10 students insights into job roles they may not have considered, and the pathways that would get them there.
Engine Shed and Boomsatsuma also worked with Merchants’ Academy on the Engine Shed on Tour project. The two trips saw year 9 students visit Hargreaves Lansdown and Future Space to tour the facilities, interview employees, and make 360 degree film tours for their peers. The group later took the content to Merchants’ Academy Primary and taught year 6 students about their experiences.
To round off the year, both Merchants and Orchard School Bristol took up places on the Bristol WORKS traditional placement programme. Students worked in departments across Bristol City Council, learning about the variety of roles and projects on offer. One student was placed with the Mayor’s Office and the Labour Group Office, gaining access to a week in the life of decision makers in the city. You can read their blog post here.
With so much activity happening at all Bristol WORKS partner schools, we’re looking forward to seeing what the next academic year brings.