A Day at Dyrham Park: Inspiring Future Careers for Yate Academy Students

On a very hot June day recently we had a great day with students from Yate Academy, exploring a range of roles at Dyrham Park. Dyrham Park is a National Trust site known for its stunning landscapes and rich heritage, but our goal during the visit was to explore the diverse roles involved in managing and preserving a historic estate and bring this world of work alive.

The day began with an introduction to the ranger team, who shared an overview of their work across the estate. Students learned about the wide variety of responsibilities rangers hold, from maintaining the parkland to supporting wildlife conservation and ensuring visitors can enjoy the space safely. Hearing from the rangers helped students to see how a passion for the outdoors can translate into a rewarding career and the diverse career paths available within this sector.

We then went into the gardens, where students worked alongside the gardening team in a practical gardening activity, raking and trimming areas to keep them healthy, clean and tidy. Although simple, this task gave them a meaningful insight into the day-to-day work involved in maintaining these beautiful and historic gardens. As they worked, gardeners discussed their roles, explaining how regular tasks like weeding contribute to the overall health and appearance of the grounds. Students also learned about seasonal planting, teamwork, and the level of care required to preserve such a significant landscape.

Inside the house, the learning continued with the house team, who explained their crucial role in preserving Dyrham Park’s treasured collections. Students were given the opportunity to assist with monitoring light and insect levels amongst the collection, an important measure to protect the delicate heritage objects within the house. This behind-the-scenes look provided a valuable understanding of conservation work and highlighted the attention to detail, care, and knowledge needed in heritage and conservation roles.

Overall, the visit offered students a well-rounded experience of the different careers available at a National Trust property. By engaging directly with staff and taking part in hands-on activities, students were able to see the skills, passion, and teamwork involved in each role. Huge thank you to the team at Dyrham Park for creating this opportunity which helped the students broaden their horizons and awareness of future career possibilities. Massive well done to the students from Yate Academy for braving the heat and being so engaged and positive throughout the visit.

This activity was delivered as a part of Works in Other LA; funded by the West of England Mayoral Authority.