PGHS Futures Archives - Penwortham Girls' High School

STEM Careers Carousel, Wednesday 7th March 2025

Posted on December 16, 2024January 7, 2025 by Michelle Murray

The annual Penwortham Girls’ High School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Festival is scheduled to be held between Monday 24th February to Friday 7th March 2025. The aim of the festival is to raise awareness of STEM subjects and the fantastic opportunities that future careers related to STEM subjects offer. With girls and women being underrepresented within STEM subjects in further/higher education courses and related careers, we hope that by raising the profile of STEM, more of our girls will consider such learning/career pathways.

Meeting people currently working within STEM-related careers would help our students to see the opportunities that are available to them in careers that they may not have considered before. The STEM careers carousel will take the form of a careers fair and we are hoping to bring representatives working within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to meet with our Year 10 and 11 students to provide information, relay their experiences and advice about following similar career paths.

We are looking to find more representatives who work within STEM-related industries who could kindly volunteer their time to share their experiences with our students on Friday 7th March 2025 between 10am and 3.30pm. If you are working within this industry or have any contacts within Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths related careers and you could volunteer to take part in the event, please contact Mr D. Knee at d.knee@penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk.

Thank you for your support.

Mr Knee

Teacher of Science

Careers Aspirations Evening

Posted on October 14, 2024October 14, 2024 by Michelle Murray

On Wednesday 9th October 2024, Penwortham Girls’ hosted a careers fair involving 38 employers, training providers, and colleges, aimed at raising students’ aspirations. The event attracted over 250 students from Years 9-11, offering valuable insights into various industries, local labour market information (LMI), and the wide range of apprenticeships available.Students are often influenced by the role models and experiences they are exposed to, and for those with limited guidance, their understanding of career options and industries can be limited. This event was designed to address this gap, helping students explore career opportunities they may not have previously considered. As part of our career’s strategy, we focused on meeting the Gatsby Benchmark 3—addressing the individual needs of students—and Benchmark 2, which addresses knowledge of LMI. The event successfully aligned with these goals, as reflected in the excellent feedback we received from employers, students, and parents on social media and LinkedIn. Looking ahead, we plan to expand the event next year. This year we will look at incorporating workplace visits, work experience placements, and projects linking curriculum to careers. These efforts will cater to different student cohorts and further support their career development.

J Ramsdale (Careers Leader) & S Gul (Careers Adviser)

Careers Aspirations Evening

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Michelle Murray

We are excited to announce our upcoming Careers Aspirations Evening on 9th October, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. The event will feature a diverse range of professions, industries, and colleges, offering our students valuable insights into various career paths. This evening is designed to inspire and support students in making informed decisions about their future careers.

Schedule:

Year 9 students: 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Year 10 students: 5:10 – 6:00 pm
Year 11 students: 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Parents and carers are welcome to attend. While we recommend these time slots as a guide for our exhibitors, we understand that schedules may vary. If you are unable to attend during your allocated time, feel free to join us at any time throughout the evening.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Shaheen Gul

Careers Consultant

STEM Careers Carousel Inspires PGHS Students to Explore Boundless Opportunities

Posted on March 28, 2024January 7, 2025 by Michelle Murray

On the 29th of February 2024, Penwortham Girls’ High School annual Careers Carousel unfolded as a pivotal event during our STEM Festival, illuminating pathways to future success for our Year 10 and Year 11 students. Over 20 dedicated professionals from diverse STEM fields graciously volunteered their time to share insights and expertise, igniting a spark of curiosity and ambition in our students.

The carousel offered a dynamic rotation through various STEM sectors, allowing students to gain first-hand knowledge from industry experts. From engineering marvels to the intricate world of organometallic chemistry, from the innovative realm of radiotherapy to the strategic domain of logistics, our students were exposed to a broad spectrum of STEM-related careers. Moreover, they delved into the profound impact of mathematics within the insurance industry, as well as the boundless opportunities within the higher education sector.

The feedback from our students was resoundingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the eye-opening experience. The insights gained during the carousel have prompted profound reflections on their future career paths. Indeed, many students are now re-evaluating their options, buoyed by a new found awareness of the diverse opportunities awaiting them in the world of STEM.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our STEM Ambassadors, who generously shared their time, expertise and passion for their respective fields. Their commitment to nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders has left an indelible mark on our students, empowering them to envision a future brimming with possibilities.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our STEM Ambassadors for their invaluable contributions to the success of the Careers Carousel. Your selflessness and dedication have not only enlightened our students but have also inspired them to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. We are deeply grateful for your efforts and the impact that you have made on our school community.

As we look to the future, we are filled with optimism and excitement, knowing that our students are equipped with the knowledge, inspiration and resilience to chart their own paths towards success in the vibrant world of STEM.

Mr D Knee

Teacher of Science

Many thanks to our STEM Ambassadors who supported the event:

Demi Jordan – Mace Group. International Consultancy and Construction Firm.

David Nuttall – Engineering Manager at Leyland Trucks.

Peter Fisher – Retired BOE Engineer and Retired naval Engineer

Jenna Hartnett – Pricing Analyst for Covea/Vitality Insurance.

Simon Bourne – Key Account Manager at TGW Logistics

Sarah Seaton – Project Director at School Rebuilding, Department of Education

Justin Rawcliffe – Project Director at School Rebuilding, Department of Education

Sergey Zlatogorsky – Chemistry Lecturer at University of Central Lancashire

Laura Littlefair – Northumbria University

Dr Peter Tipping – Engineer, LC Auxetec

Chandni Asher-Vardey – Network Rail

Iain Scott Ferguson – Network Rail

Simon Close – ForexClear

Shelley Shuttleworth – Radiotherapy Practice Educator at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.

Steven Rawlinson – SISK Building Contractors

Sharon Leary – Serconnect Ltd

Amanda Winter – Microbiologist and Technical Team Manager for BSI

Susan Jones – Social Value Manager at Mac Roofing

Nicola Parkinson – Head of People at Eric Wright Group

Michelle Faulkner – Facilities Manager at Eric Wright FM

Katheryn Wood – BAE Systems Head Office

PGHS Success at Preston’s College

Posted on May 17, 2022May 23, 2022 by Michelle Murray

We’re delighted to be able to celebrate the success of Lauren I in Year 11, who has attended Preston’s College one afternoon a week to study Hair and Beauty for the last two years and was recently given two awards in recognition of her achievement. Lauren has also secured an apprenticeship with a local hairdressers and we’re sure she has a great career ahead of her.

Here’s what was said about Lauren at the Awards Ceremony last week:

The Innovation Award has been given to an individual who has excelled throughout their 2 years at college. They give great thought to their work and put forward their own ideas with confidence and enthusiasm. It is worth noting that they also worked well during lockdown and independently produced a hair design booklet in one afternoon, sending it to the tutor at 7pm that evening. Lauren I

The Overall Award for Hair. This award has been given to a learner who over the 2 years of being at college has been consistent in her approach to her work. She has worked independently but also works well as part of a team. She has shown maturity and professionalism and has blossomed into an exceptional young lady. We wish her well on her chosen career path after recently securing an apprenticeship with Carmen Smith who owns Images in Penwortham and lectures at Preston College. Lauren I

Preston’s College