Childcare and Teacher Training students delve into all things industry-related

Childcare and Teacher Training students have had their aspirations raised through a week-long industry week.

Students attended talks, workshops and practical sessions from various people and organisations within the Childcare and Education industry to gain the key skills, knowledge and behaviours to be successful within the vast range of roles available.

Anne Hinchcliffe, who owns the South Yorkshire West franchise of Phonics with Robot Reg, delivered a hands-on workshop to develop confidence and improve the student’s understanding and knowledge of the theory and techniques of phonics teaching. Students learned how to engage children through fun, multi-sensory, high-energy games and activities that teach sound recognition, alliteration and oral blending. Anne also spoke about her journey from teaching in primary schools in both the UK and Spain to becoming her own boss to fit around her daughter’s school hours whilst continuing her love of teaching – a job that didn’t exist while she was teaching in schools.

Rebecca Paddock, Headteacher at Worsbrough Common Primary School, also spoke to students about what expectations as a headteacher are for College students on placement and in employment. Using her vast amount of industry experience, she discussed the roles available in schools and what each involves to allow students to see the routes into careers within schools.

Students also gained life-saving knowledge from Mini First Aid which provided a two-hour baby and child first aid class, covering CPR, bumps, burns, breaks, bleeding, seizures, as well as meningitis and sepsis awareness – all skills students can take into their future careers.

Other sessions during the week, included cost of living workshops; body and social media from South Yorkshire Eating Disorder Association; homelessness charity, DePaul; story time with College librarian, Laura-Ann Quinn; Little Explorers Nursery; virtual talks with Camp America, workshops with Twinkl and basic first aid with the British Red Cross.

We offer a wide range of courses within the Childcare and Education Professions sector, including full-time vocational and T Level courses for those aged 16-18; part-time courses starting in January in Adverse Childhood Experiences, Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Understanding Autism; and university-level courses in subjects such as Counselling and Teaching. For more information, contact our Information Team on 01226 216 123 or email info@barnsley.ac.uk.