CAREERS: RGS students prepare for the future

RIPON Grammar School careers staff have been working hard to ensure students don’t miss out on valuable opportunities despite restrictions enforced by the pandemic.

Visiting speakers in more recent weeks have included Katt Mudd, from the Northern School of Art, while lower sixth form students have enjoyed virtual practice interviews with a wide range of employers and university representatives.

Hannah Preece, 16, picked up some tips from her interview with astro-physicist David Ault: “I learned how to improve my CV, and also that it’s not actually that scary, so hopefully I’ll feel more confident next time.”

Taking psychology, chemistry, maths and French at A-level, Hannah plans to study forensic psychology at university. Her advice to other students is: “Interviewers can ask you pretty much anything, so expect the unexpected.”

Marnie Scatchard, 17, studying art, geography and biology, was interviewed by human resources manager Sophie Johnson.

Planning to study geography at university, she said: “I learned more about how interviewers interact with the interviewee, which was interesting.”

Work experience coordinator Bob Walker said the event helped boost students’ confidence as well as helping them develop the skills needed to win work experience placements: "This support from local, regional, and national employers really helps our students gain valuable current careers advice and enables them to deepen their understanding of the world of work and the opportunities available to them."

Year 10 students benefited from a speed networking careers event, with timed conversations as they moved round a carousel of employers, asking them about their role, industry and careers.

We’re also looking forward to our virtual Higher Education Fair on March 8, from 6-8pm. A further face-to-face after-school employer event is planned for April 8, more details to follow.

















Thank you to the interviewers, below, for all their help:

David Ault (North Yorkshire Business and Enterprise Partnership and freelance)

Major John Linegar (Army and former parent)

Mark Potter (Engineering alumni)

Erin Wilson/Elle Zientek (Lancaster University)

Emily Leslie/Sophie Johnston (Grantley Hall – human resources)

Paul Bradley (Legal - former parent)

Jonathan Baker-(Charles Stanley wealth management – former parent)

Dave Tudbury (Chemist = p arent)

Charlie Andrew (Bleikers Smokehouse – former parent)

Vikki Barton Brown (Cummins Engineering, human resources - parent)

Rodger McGiven/Charlotte Keithley/ Elaine Yates (Green-tech landscaping supplier)

Fred Binley (Bangor University)

Flt Lt Mike Lumsdon (RAF – former parent)

Lizzie Tyler (Human resources)

Ryan Martin (Nottingham University)

Sam Read (Northumbria University)

Thank you to those taking part in our Year 10 speed networking event, below:

SSA Architects

York St John University

Royal Navy

Springfield Health Care

Ministry of Justice

Willmott Dixon construction and property services

Morley Colling Associates management consultants

University of Huddersfield

Intuitions, school of hairdressing and beauty therapy

Michelle O’Neill

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group

SJPP accountants