TV Judge Rinder and ABBA Voyage star in National Careers Week
TV Judge Rinder and the ABBA Voyage technology team joined an A-list cast of speakers, industry experts and organisations supporting pupils at Heathcote School and Science College during National Careers Week.
Pupils of Heathcote School and Science College in Chingford, East London, are being guided early in their career journey by the best in the business - enjoying workshops, work experience placements, industry tours, university visits and skills & employability sessions facilitated by professionals from the world of work.
TV Judge, barrister, presenter and columnist, Robert Rinder, shared his knowledge and experience through a careers in law insight session for the school’s aspiring lawyers and those curious about working in law. Rinder was impressed by the answers that pupils gave him. He said “Their answers and insight came from a ‘real life’ perspective in my experience of lecturing, many Law undergrads tend to go for a ‘textbook’ answer.” One of the Year 13 pupils currently holding offers for Law at Greenwich, Lancaster, Ulster & Westminster said it was a “Fantastic opportunity to meet Rob Rinder, with a very insightful and interactive workshop with him”.
Head Teacher Sonia Close expressed her pleasure with how the workshop went. “Pupils have told me that it was such a special opportunity to meet someone famous. They thought that they wouldn’t know how to talk to someone of his position but were shocked that they could and how welcoming and normal he was. One pupil was so inspired they want to become a lawyer.”
The school appreciated the time he spent with the pupils, including delighting pupils by staying on to appear in a long line of selfies!
A group of lucky pupils interested in media and technology visited the ABBA Arena at Pudding Mill Lane where Solotech, the audio visual and entertainment technology experts and the house tech teams offered a unique insight into how ABBA Voyage runs, the technology used and the jobs that make the magic happen.
Other organisations supporting the pupils through workshops and visits are Zurich Insurance, Taylor Woodrow, Arriva, Aston Group, Smiths Hair Studio, Royal Veterinary College, Middlesex University, University of Bedfordshire and University of Leicester.
During the week, pupils learn how to work collaboratively through group projects and develop leadership, communication, problem-solving and financial management skills. They also develop confidence in the softer skills needed to be successful in the world of work, such as motivation, attention to detail, emotional control and reliability.
The week was rounded off with a careers and progression fair supported by FE and HE institutions, 
construction, banking, insurance, healthcare, public services and transport, where pupils had the chance to speak to representatives from over 35 organisations.
“We are ambitious for our pupils and encourage them to be ‘career curious’ from the moment they start at Heathcote School”, enthuses Head Teacher, Sonia Close. “This is supported massively by our fantastic community of staff, governors and parents who use their networks to make these employability opportunities happen. Our robust careers programme is impartial and inclusive, enabling learners to link the skills and knowledge they gain in the classroom, with the wider world of learning, training and work. We work hard to challenge stereotypes and common misconceptions to break down barriers, inspiring all of our pupils to consider a broad range of career opportunities across a variety of industries.”
Local business owner and careers-link school governor, Helen Dewdney, also known as consumer champion “The Complaining Cow”, was delighted with the success of the week. “The careers co-ordinator Michelle Burnett and careers leader Miriam Argyrakis organised a fantastic jam-packed week for all the year groups. We had around forty organisations working with pupils and Rob Rinder was a wonderful highlight of the week. Pupils were buzzing with energy when they came away from his workshop, it was really inspiring.”
Read more about Rob's visit here;
https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/lesson-for-kids-aspiration-rob-rinder-b1068518.html
