Employer case study: Foxwood Academy
Nottingham-based Foxwood Academy teaches Technology, Applied Learning and Life Skills to young people and adults with special educational needs.
Jamie Hutchinson, Headteacher, describes how their own-grown apprentices are making a very tangible input into school life at every level.
Jamie Hutchinson, Headteacher, describes how their own-grown apprentices are making a very tangible input into school life at every level.
“The long-term nature of apprenticeship training makes it the perfect fit for Education. Anyone interested in working with children and young people with special educational needs can study it in college but it’s not until they’ve had experience in the classroom that they can really develop and apply the vocational and professional skills required. Observing practitioner interventions over many months allows an individual to truly learn about the practical application of methods such as behaviour management and the process of learning.
From pupil to teacher
Apprenticeships allow the learner to evolve their skills at a pace suitable for them, the school and the children we teach. Nevertheless, it can be a steep learning curve, particularly as our apprentices are typically only 19 years of age and sometimes as young as 17 when they join us. Coming into the world of work directly from life as a pupil, a new apprentice once even addressed me as ‘Sir’. Regardless of differences in age and seniority, all colleagues are equal at Foxwood.
As with any staff member, an apprentice needs to understand their responsibilities and professional standards such as looking out for and reporting any safeguarding issues, or providing additional care to vulnerable young people. We have a very experienced team of teaching assistants who prove an invaluable benchmark against which our apprentices can track their own behaviour so they’re always supported.
Grow your own
I always recommend to other special schools that they should consider employing apprentices. I tell them it’s an incredible opportunity to ‘grow your own’.
We currently have three apprentices on programme, and a further 14 have completed with us.
Lucy Korneluk who joined us as an apprentice before training as a teaching assistant and then teacher is a perfect example of how an apprentice can impact at every level. I often ask for her informed view on school issues because of this. And now that she’s qualified as a teacher, I’m delighted to offer her a permanent teaching post in the new school year.
Another great example is one of our young male apprentices. His enthusiasm in research and mental health is reflected in everything he does and probably makes him one of the best apprentices we’ve ever had! Ironically, had we recruited in the conventional way, his lack of qualifications and experience may have excluded him from the shortlist.
Every day, our apprentices are helping to improve outcomes for our children. As so many of them are young themselves, they’re good role models for the children who find them entirely relatable.
There is no doubt that apprentices will remain our first choice when recruiting teaching assistants.
Only the very best of candidates
The standards set by our apprenticeship provider Access Training are unquestionably high. This starts with their support in only recruiting the very best candidates who are enthused about our work here.
That high level of quality support continues throughout the apprentice journey. Our Trainer Assessor, Janet Piano, casts a critical eye over the development of each of our apprentices. I have absolute faith that, should she consider a candidate is failing in best efforts to meet the requirements of their apprenticeship, she will remove them from the course.
The result of this rigorous recruitment and ongoing assessment? Handpicked candidates who, once we’ve invested in them, we never want to let go!”
From pupil to teacher
Apprenticeships allow the learner to evolve their skills at a pace suitable for them, the school and the children we teach. Nevertheless, it can be a steep learning curve, particularly as our apprentices are typically only 19 years of age and sometimes as young as 17 when they join us. Coming into the world of work directly from life as a pupil, a new apprentice once even addressed me as ‘Sir’. Regardless of differences in age and seniority, all colleagues are equal at Foxwood.
As with any staff member, an apprentice needs to understand their responsibilities and professional standards such as looking out for and reporting any safeguarding issues, or providing additional care to vulnerable young people. We have a very experienced team of teaching assistants who prove an invaluable benchmark against which our apprentices can track their own behaviour so they’re always supported.
Grow your own
I always recommend to other special schools that they should consider employing apprentices. I tell them it’s an incredible opportunity to ‘grow your own’.
We currently have three apprentices on programme, and a further 14 have completed with us.
Lucy Korneluk who joined us as an apprentice before training as a teaching assistant and then teacher is a perfect example of how an apprentice can impact at every level. I often ask for her informed view on school issues because of this. And now that she’s qualified as a teacher, I’m delighted to offer her a permanent teaching post in the new school year.
Another great example is one of our young male apprentices. His enthusiasm in research and mental health is reflected in everything he does and probably makes him one of the best apprentices we’ve ever had! Ironically, had we recruited in the conventional way, his lack of qualifications and experience may have excluded him from the shortlist.
Every day, our apprentices are helping to improve outcomes for our children. As so many of them are young themselves, they’re good role models for the children who find them entirely relatable.
There is no doubt that apprentices will remain our first choice when recruiting teaching assistants.
Only the very best of candidates
The standards set by our apprenticeship provider Access Training are unquestionably high. This starts with their support in only recruiting the very best candidates who are enthused about our work here.
That high level of quality support continues throughout the apprentice journey. Our Trainer Assessor, Janet Piano, casts a critical eye over the development of each of our apprentices. I have absolute faith that, should she consider a candidate is failing in best efforts to meet the requirements of their apprenticeship, she will remove them from the course.
The result of this rigorous recruitment and ongoing assessment? Handpicked candidates who, once we’ve invested in them, we never want to let go!”
"The result of this rigorous recruitment and ongoing assessment? Handpicked candidates who, once we’ve invested in them, we never want to let go!”
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