The workforce of the future got a taste of their dream careers when a West Norfolk Academies Trust primary school held its annual Apprenticeship Day.

Children from Years 3 to 6 at Heacham Junior School took part in the event on Thursday 26 June, which enabled them to test out a variety of different professional roles.

“This is an exciting day that has become an annual event in our school calendar,” said organiser Katie Cornwell, who is Year 3 Teacher at the school.

“During Apprenticeship Day, pupils spend time learning about a particular career, taking on different roles and responsibilities related to that job, and becoming a professional for the day.”

The mini apprenticeships cover a wide choice of careers, with this year’s options ranging from engineering to photography.

“The children apply for the apprenticeship they wish to enrol on,” continued Miss Cornwell. “They might want to learn how to be an engineer, travel agent, film producer, chef, estate agent, photographer, software engineer, or have a job in the sports industry.

“Apprenticeships are run by a mixture of external professionals and school staff and include all children from Year 3 to Year 6.”

It was the third time that the event had taken place, with participants this year including The Norfolk Agents, Tracy Bower from West Norfolk School Sport Partnership, and Rolls Royce at RAF Barham, as well as Heacham Junior teachers James Agate, Ashley Kirwan, Hariette Pateman, and Miss Cornwell herself.

“The aim for the day is to raise aspirations,” she added. “It gives the children the opportunity to explore career possibilities, and connect with professionals to learn about different career paths, and the skills needed to succeed.”

Budding pianists at a WNAT school had a chance to hone their skills when they enjoyed a special masterclass run by the Trust.

Musicians ranging in age from Years 4 to 6 at Gaywood Primary took part in the Collaborative Music Event at the school on Thursday 26 June.

Under the skilled direction of WNAT Peripatetic Music Lead, Benjamin Howell, the pupils performed individual musical pieces, before coming together for the masterclass.

“The event featured a small group of piano students, each performing a piece, followed by a live masterclass session focusing on aspects such as musical character and technical development,” explained Mr Howell.

Also guiding the children through their musical paces were our Peripatetic Piano Teacher, Sarah-Jane, and Gaywood Music Lead Helen Johnston.

“I’d like to highlight the brilliant work Sarah-Jane has done with the students,” continued Mr Howell. “Her dedication and the students’ achievements made this a valuable opportunity for them to receive feedback, perform, and grow in confidence.”

They were joined by former Gaywood pupil Isabel, who is now in Year 8 at Springwood High School, and performed a pop music piece on the piano to inspire her young audience, as well as assisting with the masterclass.

“This was the first event of its kind across WNAT, and we hope it may serve as a model for future events across other Trust schools,” added Mr Howell.

Not many schools get to have their own anthem, so it was a particularly special occasion when pupils from Heacham Junior were able to sing theirs together for the first time – as well as have it recorded for posterity.

The school is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, and the new anthem was specially composed by our Peripatetic Music Lead, Benjamin Howell.

“On Tuesday 18 June a collaborative sing-along took place at Heacham Junior School,” he said.

“The event brought together children from three Trust schools, who joined voices to perform a special composition I’d written – a school anthem for Heacham Junior titled ‘In Our Village by the Sea’.

“This anthem was created specifically for this event, reflecting the local area and the spirit of the community.”

Children of all ages across the school, from Years 3 to 6, took part in the event, along with Year 2 pupils from Heacham Infant School, and the members of the Smithdon High School Choir, who ranged in age from Years 7 to 11.

They were also supported by the Dersingham Community Choir, an adult choir who joined the young singers for the final chorus of the anthem.

“My role as the Trust Peripatetic Music Lead has been to develop and coordinate this initiative, with the aim of uniting students and members of the wider community through collaborative music-making,” continued Mr Howell, who organised the event with the help of Music Teachers Nic Bouskill and Gill Smith, as well as Heacham Junior’s Executive Headteacher, Louise Jackson, and Executive Deputy Head Emma Hunt, and Andrea Barnes, who is Head of Music at Smithdon.

“Learning of the piece began through assemblies and rehearsals led by myself across the participating schools,” he added.

“The event ran from 1pm to 3pm, with smaller group rehearsals leading into a shared performance later in the afternoon.

“The final rendition was recorded as a memento of this collaborative effort.”

Early Years and Foundation children from Walpole Cross Keys Primary School were able to get up close and personal with sea creatures during a special visit.

The pupils made the journey to Hunstanton for the chance to meet seals, starfish and penguins at Sealife.

The children saw the centre’s Common Seals - it has six residents: Sally, Amber, Callie, Lora, Macey and Pippa. It also operates a seal rehabilitation centre where it treats injuries or raises pups which need human intervention. Once they reach their target weight, they are reintroduced to the wild.

They also saw a colony of Humboldt Penguins which live at the centre, and the young visitors also saw the black-tipped reef sharks, which are found in the wild on tropical coral reefs of both the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

“They all had a great time at Sealife and were delighted to see the seals and penguins up close. It was a good chance for them to get an understanding of the wildlife that shares our seas, and understand some of the difficulties facing some species,” said Assistant Headteacher Billy Overton.

Working at the forefront of scientific research into cancer with a prestigious multinational company means relocation for one West Norfolk student, while others from the same year group are also avoiding huge student debt and gaining practical experience.

Ruby Hopgood will be making a move down the A10 to Cambridge from King’s Lynn, and into the offices of AstraZeneca where she has been accepted as an apprentice working within the oncology laboratories.

She joined Springwood High School in Year 12 to study her A levels and was helped to secure her apprenticeship with one of the world’s-leading companies.

Ruby will be studying for her bioscience degree with Manchester Metropolitan University while working and living in Cambridge.

“I think an apprenticeship is a great option for students as it not only gives valuable work experience, but also allows you to continue to learn and gain an education,” she said.

Ruby is looking forward to starting her laboratory role and said the assessment day she had to attend at AstraZeneca had been a lot of work.

“If I was to give advice to younger students, I would say go for it! Apprenticeships are improving constantly and you can get an apprenticeship in many fields now. Make sure to fully research the company and apprenticeship you are applying for,” she said.

Melia Dunn has joined accountancy firm Mapus-Smith and Lemmon where she will work towards a professional qualification while gaining crucial experience in a working environment.

“With an apprenticeship you can apply your knowledge to the role and therefore expand not only your knowledge of the industry, but also get the practice of becoming a professional and the best employee you can be,” she said.

Melia also joined Springwood for her A levels, and said the school had been really helpful with navigating her career path.

“Bringing in the top local employers meant I could listen to many career opportunities as well as sharing roles that could be available, such as the one at Mapus-Smith and Lemmon.

“In the long term, I aspire to continue to work as a qualified accountant and potentially become chartered after gaining my AAT qualification. Getting an apprenticeship is a great way to pursue your desired career choice. Not only do you get paid while gaining a qualification, you will have great work experience,” she said.

Civil engineering is the passion of student Dylan Green who will be studying for a degree while working with JBA Consulting in Peterborough.

Dylan also joined Springwood for his A levels and he aims to become a fully qualified civil engineer and attaining a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering while working with his company is a key part of his future.

“You need to be dedicated, apply to many places and practice your interview skills. I applied to 15 apprenticeships, got three interviews and received two offers,” he said.

“I already have a job secured and don’t need to look for one after my degree. I will also gain real-world experience in my profession, which I see as a major advantage.”

Jensen Fox wasn’t entirely certain on any future career when he started sixth form at Springwood, but he has now secured an apprenticeship at King’s Lynn’s Palm Paper where he starts in August.

He will combine four days of working and a day of study of electrical engineering throughout his time at the company. The course includes time at the town’s College of West Anglia.

“You can gain years of experience in a career that you enjoy whilst not having to fund your own tuition. And the fact that you can work hands-on almost every day is right for me,” he said.

Jensen completed work experience at Palm Paper prior to applying for an apprenticeship and had the chance to look at different fields of engineering before deciding that electrics was the way forward for him.

“Springwood sixth form was supportive of this as a career and we had career fairs and talks from local apprenticeship providers which helped me find out what I was really interested in,” he added.

Jessica Beck is aiming to be a podiatrist and will be working in a Norfolk clinic three days a week with another two days studying as she works on a degree with the University of Plymouth.

“I like the thought of learning on the job, practically seeing what I am learning whilst still studying towards a degree and qualification. In addition I will be paid a salary and will not accrue university debt,” she said.

Jessica will work at a clinic in Wymondham while her university studies will be online.

She said the school opened her eyes to alternative ways of studying for a degree and she attended all the available talks and presentations which provided details of apprenticeships, adding the school offered support and advice.

“I have absolutely loved my time at Springwood High School. I have wonderful friends and the school has given me great opportunities in extra curricular activities. I went to Thailand in Year 12 with Challenges Abroad, and have enjoyed representing the school in lots of sports. There is a varied choice of courses in sixth form and the teachers also give extra support and guidance,” she said.