Careers
Police Visit
On Wednesday, 16th January, we were fortunate to welcome Police Officer Isabel Carroll to our school for an engaging and insightful afternoon. She visited each class to talk about her role and daily duties, as well as to answer questions from our curious students. There were some fantastic questions, such as, “How do you become a police officer?” and “How do you find people who commit crimes?”
The students were thoroughly engaged throughout and especially enjoyed the hands-on experience of trying on police equipment. They had the chance to try on handcuffs and learn how they work, why officers use them, and the different scenarios in which they might be applied.
Even our staff joined in the fun, with some trying on police hats and posing for photos, much to the delight of the students! This added an extra layer of excitement and created a sense of shared experience between staff and students during the visit.
Building positive relationships with our local police force is an essential part of helping students develop trust and confidence in those who serve and protect our community. As they grow into adulthood, we want our students to view the police as allies who are here to help in times of need. The visit also sparked interest in policing as a potential career path for some of our students. They gained valuable insights into what it takes to be a police officer and the steps involved in pursuing this role. We extend our heartfelt thanks to PC Carroll for taking the time to visit and inspire our students. We look forward to working with you much more in the future.
Tash from Class One shared her thoughts about the visit: “Isabel was nice and friendly. She wasn’t scary, which I thought she might be. I enjoyed being arrested with the handcuffs!”
Supporting Casey’s Passion for Athletics
At Community-Ed School, we are dedicated to supporting our students both in and out of the classroom. A great example of this is our work with Casey.
Through PE lessons and conversations in school, it became clear that Casey had a strong interest in athletics. Wanting to nurture this passion, we identified a local athletics club that runs one evening a week outside of school and arranged for Casey to attend. To ensure he felt comfortable, our Enrichment team supported him by attending the sessions alongside him for the first few weeks. This helped him build the confidence to go independently, and he is now thriving in this environment.
The club has provided Casey with an incredible opportunity to develop his social and listening skills while deepening his knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport. Importantly, we have also seen a significant improvement in his engagement within school. By supporting his passion outside of school, we have been able to strengthen his sense of achievement and motivation in the classroom. Casey recognises that his commitment to learning and positive behaviour means he is given access to opportunities like this, which in turn has encouraged him to remain focused and engaged in his education.
His progress has been so impressive that we are now looking to support him in attending the athletics club twice a week. Who knows? One day, we might see Casey competing at the Olympics!
Student Gains Valuable Experience with VIY Charity Work Placement
At Community-Ed, we are always eager to provide our students with enriching opportunities beyond the classroom. Recently, one of our students successfully completed a four-day work experience placement with Volunteer It Yourself (VIY), a fantastic local charity that blends DIY with volunteering to support young people in developing vocational trade skills while making a real difference in their communities.
VIY offers a unique hands-on experience, challenging young people aged 14-24 to help repair and refurbish community spaces while learning key trade skills. Under the guidance of professional mentors, learners can work towards and gain Entry Level City & Guilds trade skills accreditations.
Our student, with the support of the school, fully embraced this opportunity, showing enthusiasm and commitment throughout the placement. Working alongside experienced tradespeople, they gained practical skills in painting and decorating while contributing to a meaningful community project, as well as earning an Entry Level Three in Painting and Decorating. This hands-on experience not only helped build their confidence but also provided valuable insight into potential career paths in the trade industry.
We recognise the importance of students gaining real-world experience and actively participating in the local community. Opportunities like this allow young people to develop essential skills, build confidence, and foster a sense of responsibility and contribution to society.
We are incredibly proud of our student’s dedication and engagement, and we look forward to working with VIY again in the future to provide more young people with similar inspiring opportunities. If you would like to check them out, please follow the link: https://volunteerityourself.org/
A huge thank you to VIY and their skilled mentors for their invaluable support and guidance!
