Year 12 students embraced life through a lens to capture “urban Hull” after taking part in photography masterclasses.

The diploma group of 14 students at Ron Dearing UTC completed a practical digital photography unit as part of their coursework and teamed up with local creative lead Luke Thornton, Managing Director of Influence Media, who shared his picture-taking knowledge and skills.

The students had to follow a high-level brief and take a series of professional images of “urban Hull”, showing how the city has changed and developed over the years. They were asked to take pictures to suit a glossy magazine and related online platforms.

As part of the project, they visited tech hub C4DI in Hull’s Fruit Market for a photography workshop with Luke and took part in a research tour of the city, including the Fruit Market, High Street and Hull Minster.

The project included meticulously planning the visit through the pre-production stage of the project over several weeks, including risk assessments and using Google Earth to map out and plan locations.

Luke said: “We went through everything that goes into taking the perfect picture, including pre-production and technical camera skills, right the way through to post-production and using industry-standard software, such as Photoshop.

“I took the students through real-life client briefs received over the years, so they have a true understanding of what goes on in the real world of photography.

“It’s not just about the picture, it’s about your relationship with the client, understanding them and making sure you over-deliver each and every time.

“The students were all very receptive and enthusiastic, they asked good questions and they got the most out of the experience. I was really impressed.”

Kate Blowman, Art and Creative Digital Teacher at Ron Dearing UTC, said the students were also encouraged to look at the smaller details of Hull, such as the cobbles, so they could be as creative as possible with their photography.

She said: “Rain during the afternoon didn’t deter them and the weather made their pictures look even more urban. They had to take about 200 pictures and they chose their favourite 10 to edit.

“C4DI is a thriving environment and it was a great place for the students to work on this project because they were treated like professionals, and they needed to work to deadlines. Luke taught them how to edit and copyright images for print, or online use, getting them ready for publication.

“We wanted to take the learning out of the classroom and help them to realise what it’s like working in a real-life environment.”

Some of our top female tech talent have attended an inspiring and empowering “Lunch & Learn” session hosted by one of our Major Partners, leading technology company APD Communications.

Hull-based APD supplies critical, life-saving software to police forces and emergency services organisations across the UK and supports critical control operations internationally.

 

APD Senior Software Tester Keeley Barrick led the presentation to a group of female sixth formers, plus one Year 10 student, with fellow APD colleagues Wendy Hiley, Talent Business Partner, and Jo Ward, Head of Development Delivery.

The interactive session looked at the past achievements of female tech pioneers, including 19^th century mathematician and visionary Ada Lovelace, known as “the prophet of the computer age”.

Keeley moved on to discuss present-day examples of influential women in tech such as Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg and YouTube Chief Executive Officer Susan Wojcicki.

Keeley said: “It’s extremely important to encourage the next generation of women into tech careers because the proportion of females in this industry is still so small.

“Hull is a great area for growing talent and all the initiatives by companies such as APD and by Ron Dearing UTC give more hope and opportunity to students and graduates to go for a career in technology.

“These female students show how attitudes are changing. Hopefully they will be inspired to overcome gender stereotypes and progress into tech careers.”

 

Year 12 engineering student Ellie Clayton said: “I’m interested in working for Smith & Nephew or Siemens, who are both Ron Dearing UTC partners. They’re big companies and lots of people want to join them, but I think having high aspirations just helps you to work harder.

“I also used to want to work for the police but until today’s Lunch & Learn event with APD I didn’t realise there were so many tech jobs within the police service. It’s quite inspirational to see what we can do.”

Year 10 student Zoe Brown said: “Most jobs in tech are male dominated, so it’s important to see females in top roles in software companies. It shows girls they can get jobs in tech.”

Other topics covered in the lunchtime session included how gender bias can deter females from choosing careers in technology and how more role models were needed to encourage women into the tech roles.

The nine engineering, maths and computer science students then heard about how forward-thinking APD empowers its workforce regardless of gender, with many women in senior positions at the company.

Wendy Hiley said: “I’ve seen the roles of women in tech change over the years, so it’s really important for us to inspire the next generation of females into the industry.

“We’re always looking for new and exciting ideas from the next wave of talent, so we’re keen to continue to develop our links with schools like Ron Dearing UTC and universities.

“APD is such a forward-thinking company and we’re all so passionate about the work we do – which is literally saving lives through tech. Hopefully these sessions will inspire students to think of APD when they’re deciding on a career.”

Students at Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) had their eyes opened to numerous exciting opportunities available to them at a special careers event.

Hull’s pioneering digital technology and engineering school held its second annual Apprenticeships Expo, with students given the chance to meet with a wide range of employers and find out more about apprenticeships and other career opportunities.

The event was again organised by Ron Dearing UTC partner employer, recruitment specialist Emmerson Kitney, and more than a dozen businesses including Spencer Group, Swift, Groupe Atlantic and Sypro.

It gave the sixth form students who are due to leave this summer the inside track on sought-after training roles with many of the area’s best employers.

 

Spencer Group, one of the school’s Founding Partners, currently has 14 apprentices who joined the Hull-based engineering business from the UTC and four of them attended the expo to talk to students about their own positive experiences.

Engineer Thomas Inglis said: “We brought our own apprentices so the students could relate to them.

“We have an idea of how many apprentices we want to take on this year, but if we find extraordinarily high talent in the group leaving the school, we will take more on. Last year we didn’t intend on taking on 14 but the students were of such a high standard that we decided we would.

“The students here are very talented and enthusiastic.”

 

Cottingham-based caravan, motorhome and holiday home producer Swift attended again, after taking on four apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC last year.

Richard Monk, Technical Trainer at Swift, said: “We are looking for practical people because it is a very hands-on industry.

“Four of last year’s intake of apprentices were from Ron Dearing, joining us in September. They have been brilliant and are doing really well. The skills they developed at Ron Dearing prepared them really well.”

Software company Sypro, based in Hull, has a customer service support engineer position currently available.

Marketing Manager Olivia Toplass said: “All of our roles tend to have a technical aspect. The position we have available will be supporting our technical customer service and this was a really good option for us to come here.”

Maria Shepherd, HR Advisor Development at Groupe Atlantic, the parent company of Hull-based Ideal Boilers, added: “We want to make sure local talent stays with us and the digital focus here at Ron Dearing really links in with our research and development teams.

“The facilities here are state-of-the-art. They are second to none.”

 

More than 200 students who will be leaving Ron Dearing UTC in July after the successful completion of their studies attended the event. Students from Year 11 were also given the opportunity to speak to employers, to enable them to start thinking about their next move at an early stage.

Sam Caley, Joint Head of Sixth Form, said it was a fantastic opportunity for the students to find an exciting position as the school aims to repeat its success of last year, when 100% of students who left secured an apprenticeship, other employment or a place at university.

He said: “We’re really focused on the progression routes for our students once they leave.

“We specialise in this area and all the companies represented here know we work with our students to ensure they have excellent employability skills.”

Ron Dearing UTC opened in September 2017 offering a unique education model with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering.

Specialist subjects studied at the Kingston Square school, in Hull city centre, include digital technologies, computing, digital media and engineering in a range of disciplines including design, manufacture, electrical and mechanical, systems control and automation.

Tim Watson, of Emmerson Kitney, said: “This event has helped all these businesses connect with local talent, specialising in engineering, technical and digital skills.

“These young people are the future leaders in our region.”

Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) has been named as one of the best schools in the country for the progress made by A-level students.

New league tables released by the Department for Education show Hull’s employer-led school is ranked 15^th of all schools and colleges in England, including fee-paying independent schools, for the progress made by students who took their A-levels last summer.

Excluding independent schools, Ron Dearing UTC is ranked as the 6^th best for student progress, with a progress score of 0.72, which is officially rated as “well above average”.

 

You can see the top-rated schools and colleges in England for student progress here.

Ron Dearing UTC is also the No. 1 ranked school or college in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. You can see the ratings for Hull here.

The scores record how much progress students made between the end of key stage 4 (GCSEs) and completion of their A-level studies, compared to similar students across England.

Also known as “valued added” ratings, the scores are calculated by comparing A-level results of students at each school or college with the A-level results of students in schools and colleges across England who started with similar results at the end of key stage 4.

A score above zero means students made more progress, on average, than students across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 4. A score below zero means students made less progress, on average, than students across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 4.

The Ron Dearing UTC progress score recognises the exceptional progress made by students who left other local schools following their GCSEs to join in the sixth form when the new school opened in September 2017.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “To be ranked as the top school or college in our area for value added progress at A-level and the 15^th best in the country is phenomenal and a great tribute to the students, their parents, our fantastic university and employer partners and all our talented staff.

“However, I am not a big believer in league tables.  They only measure one aspect of a school or college’s educational provision – exam results.  Great schools and colleges are about so much more.

“Whilst I am extremely proud of our students’ examination success, I am equally proud of the progress they made in terms of their personal and employability skills and the fact that they have gone onto exciting careers within the tech and engineering industries or to study these subjects to degree level at university.

“Ron Dearing UTC was established to ‘do education differently’ and to provide a talent pipeline for our university and employer partners and the wider engineering and tech sectors and we’re delivering on that vision.

“Last year 60% of our students progressed onto apprenticeships compared to only 6% nationally.  This proves that our unique employer-led model of learning not only delivers outstanding examination results, but, most importantly, creates outstanding employees who can make a valuable contribution to society and the economy.”

 

Ron Dearing UTC is a school that means business, with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering. The school is focused on equipping 14 to 19-year-olds with the knowledge and skills to give them the edge as they make their way into employment.

The school’s Founding Partners are the University of Hull and leading local employers KCOM, RB, Siemens Gamesa, Smith & Nephew and Spencer Group. The school is also supported by Hull City Council and many other industry partners, including Major Partners APD Communications, Arco, Bonus, BP, C4DI, Green Port Hull, Ideal Boilers, Fujitsu, Ørsted, Sewell Group and Sonoco Trident.

Ron Dearing UTC is due to reach its full capacity in September this year, 12 months earlier than originally scheduled, due to continuing strong demand for places.

Students who wish to join Ron Dearing UTC in Year 10 next September should register by January 31. Applications can still be made after that date, but earlier applications will be considered first. Students wishing to apply for Year 12 places can continue to apply until the end of August.

Applications should be made online here.

Ron Dearing UTC has hosted a visit by the Chancellor of the University of Hull and former Cabinet minister Baroness Bottomley.

The former Health Secretary and National Heritage Secretary visited the school to meet students and tour our amazing facilities.

 

Baroness Bottomley is a proactive advocate of technical and vocational education and was a close friend of Lord Ron Dearing, after whom the school is named.  She is also a friend of Lord Baker, Chairman of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust which champions the UTC movement.

Baroness Bottomley recently participated in a debate in the House of Lords when she spoke passionately about the huge benefits of technical education and named Ron Dearing UTC as an example of good practice.

In her speech, Baroness Bottomley described Ron Dearing UTC as a “most remarkable success”, with the support and active involvement of leading businesses a vital element.

“There is strong local business investment and involvement and the business leaders provide time and resources,” she told the House of Lords. “The curriculum is not just intended to get someone a job but is much broader, developing the whole person – and this is only the beginning.”

A link to the transcript of the debate can be found here.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “It was a pleasure and a great honour to host Baroness Bottomley’s visit.  She was extremely impressed by our students, who all spoke articulately and enthusiastically about their experience of Ron Dearing UTC and how they feel it is helping them to prepare for carers in the engineering, tech and creative industries.”

The University of Hull is a Founding Partner and Lead Educational Partner of Ron Dearing UTC and Baroness Bottomley’s visit is the latest recognition of Ron Dearing UTC’s reputation as a leader in employer-led education.

Ron Dearing UTC will reach its full capacity in September 2020, a year ahead of schedule, due to strong demand for places.

Almost 1,000 prospective Year 10 and Year 12 students, their parents or carers have attended two recent Open Events at the school, with the hope of securing a place next year.

The school’s senior team had originally predicted full capacity of 600 students would be reached by September 2021, but continuing strong demand for places and having a full and strong teaching team in place ahead of schedule means it will hit the target 12 months before that date.

Ron Dearing UTC opened its doors in September 2017 and the first three years have all been oversubscribed. Just 300 places are currently available for September 2020 and 275 external applications have already been received.

The final Open Event for the September 2020 intake will take place on Thursday, January 16, from 6pm to 8pm and interested students and their parents are being urged not to miss out.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said: “We could have hit capacity earlier, but it was important we grew the staff team. We have an amazingly strong, high-quality teaching team now and that means we will hit 600 by September 2020, one year early.

“We’re delighted at what we have achieved over the last two years. We’re most proud of pioneering a different approach to education and that everyone is buying into it.”

Ron Dearing UTC works in partnership with many of Hull’s leading businesses to equip 14 to 19-year-olds with the knowledge and skills to give them the edge as they make their way into employment.

Visitors to the latest Open Event were told 94% of last year’s Year 11 students stayed on in the school’s Sixth Form this year, while 99% of parents and carers stated they would recommend Ron Dearing UTC.

 

 

Kingsley Abel, 13, who hopes to join Year 10 in September 2020, attended with his mother, Tiffani Taylor.

He said: “I really like making things and I want to go into engineering. I think it’s a great school and I even came for a look around last year because I was so interested.

“There are more opportunities for me here and the Open Event gave me a more visible idea of what is on offer. It is useful because you can learn a lot from talking to students and the employer partners.”

Tiffani added: “I really want Kingsley to come to Ron Dearing UTC because the learning style is totally different and it sets young people up for the future, preparing them for the world of work.”

 

Highlighting the school’s vision, values and excellent support and guidance on offer, Sarah told attendees how Ron Dearing UTC’s pioneering education model was a huge success, proved by outstanding GCSE, A-level and technical qualification results published for the first time this year.

She added: “We want to develop well-rounded individuals who love coming to school. We want the right students here because we are right for them – those who will benefit from being here and who will maximise the opportunities available to them.”

Students who wish to join Ron Dearing UTC in Year 10 next September should register by January 31. Applications can still be made after that date, but earlier applications will be considered first. Students wishing to apply for Year 12 places can continue to apply until the end of August.

• To register for the January 16 Open Event, download an application form, or find out more, click here.

Two former Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) students are thriving at the University of Hull, having been awarded scholarships to support them in their studies.

Jacob Harrison and Joely Rhodes, both 18, joined Hull’s employer-led school as Year 12 Sixth Form students when it opened its doors in 2017 and excelled in their chosen subjects.

After achieving exceptional grades, they were successful in applying to join the University of Hull and were awarded scholarships, becoming the first students from one of three UTCs partnered with the university to benefit from the opportunity.

Jacob was awarded a £4,000 Achievement Scholarship to support him in his Biomedical Engineering degree, while Joely secured a £2,000 Merit Scholarship for her degree in Pure Chemistry.

Jacob has high functioning Asperger Syndrome, a form of Autism which means he sees, hears and feels the world differently to others, often finding busy environments, social interaction with others, and change can cause him considerable anxiety.

But, having achieved two Distinction* and a Distinction in his OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering at Ron Dearing UTC, Jacob said he was determined to show how his condition was no barrier to success.

 

He said: “The teachers at Ron Dearing UTC make the difference and they treat everyone as an individual. They really helped me to come out of my shell.

“My mother has always told me that Asperger Syndrome is not a disability, it’s a gift, and I have used it to the best of my academic possibilities. It was a hindrance in the past, but not anymore.

“I think this is a really good way of showing your condition doesn’t define you; you define your condition.

“This scholarship will help to pay for my books and the rest can be saved, or used for my degree. Going to university is the next step of my journey and I’m excited about what the future will bring.”

Joely achieved a Distinction* in Creative Digital in addition to A-levels in Maths and Chemistry to gain her place at the University of Hull and be awarded the Merit Scholarship.

She said she was thoroughly enjoying her Pure Chemistry studies and aspires to work in pharmaceutical research in the future, in particular cancer and drug research after her grandmother Anne died following a cancer diagnosis four years ago.

 

Joely, who has bought her first car thanks to the scholarship, said: “This type of research means a lot to my family and I want to contribute to the battle against cancer.

“I was originally due to go to the University of Leeds to study Medicinal Chemistry, but joining the University of Hull instead and receiving the scholarship has been a real boost.

“I absolutely love university life, I love chemistry and I’m really enjoying myself.”

Joely said Ron Dearing UTC had helped to prepare her for university life and her future career.

She said: “Ron Dearing UTC is a really professional environment and it builds you up to become more confident and motivated.

“The school instilled workplace values in us and that has really helped me with speaking to people at different levels.”

 

Ron Dearing UTC in Hull city centre caters for students aged between 14 and 19 from Hull and the East Riding and offers a unique, employer-driven education model, with a specialist focus on digital technology, digital engineering and creative digital.

Ron Dearing UTC Principal Sarah Pashley said Jacob and Joely were shining examples of what the school’s students can achieve.

She said: “Jacob and Joely’s results were absolutely outstanding and what they have achieved is incredible.

“When Jacob came here, he wouldn’t enter the conference centre. But when he left, he was presenting to 200 people there, including his fellow students and employers. That shows how comfortable he felt in the environment we create within the school.

“Joely has done exceptionally well too and I’m delighted to see them both progressing so well in their university lives.

“People at this school accept everybody for who they are and understand people have different challenges and strengths. They let each other be themselves and support them to realise their potential.”

Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners are the University of Hull and leading local employers KCOM, RB, Siemens Gamesa, Smith & Nephew and Spencer Group. The school is also supported by Hull City Council and many other industry partners.

Karen Arundel, UTC Partnerships Manager at the University of Hull, said: “Everyone is delighted for Jacob and Joely. They have done amazingly well.

“They are the first students from any of the three UTCs we are partnered with to be awarded scholarships. We are thrilled Jacob and Joely have joined us as they continue their learning journeys.”

Pictures: Neil Holmes Photography.

Year 10 and 11 students at Ron Dearing UTC are being rewarded for embracing culture and broadening their experiences outside the classroom.

The school’s Culture Vulture programme was launched at the start of the academic year and encourages students to make the most of Hull and East Yorkshire’s cultural opportunities, including visiting art galleries, museums, theatres, sports events and festivals.

The school team circulates details of events to students through its weekly update to parents and students. In turn, students receive bronze, silver or gold awards based on the number of venues and events they visit.

Activities are completed by students in their own time, in addition to cultural events supported by the school. For example, all Year 10 and 11 students recently attended Blood Brothers at Hull New Theatre, which contributed to the Culture Vulture programme.

Year 10 student Makenzie Bailey receives his Culture Vulture bronze award from Vice Principal Mark Ollerenshaw.

Vice Principal Mark Ollerenshaw said: “The programme recognises the importance of the arts and responds to the emphasis on developing ‘cultural capital’ in the Ofsted framework.

“We’re focused on developing students into work-ready young people and having an awareness of culture and the impact it can have on personal wellbeing, health and happiness is a really important part of that.

“Programmes like this help to develop well-rounded citizens and unlock interests the students may not know they have. Taking part in the Culture Vulture programme can ignite an interest they can then pursue further for themselves.”

Students record the cultural activities and visits they have completed in their own “Culture Vulture Passport” and are awarded bronze, silver and gold certificates for completing each level.

Year 10 student Makenzie Bailey, 15, was the first to be awarded his bronze certificate and further awards will be handed out to students in the New Year.

Makenzie said: “I have visited some museums, football matches and a concert, as well as seeing Blood Brothers. I feel proud and excited to achieve this award.

“It’s important to get involved in cultural activities because, when you are looking for a job, it shows you also do interesting things in your own time. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Year 10 students at Ron Dearing UTC have embarked on a “forensic reading” project involving challenging and thought-provoking subjects which are important to society.

The 136 students are reading, understanding, analysing and debating various text and books to broaden their wider reading, encouraging them to research topics further and allowing them to become independent learners.

Senior Assistant Principal Nikki Feetham speaks to Year 10 students taking part in the “forensic reading” project aimed at encouraging them to read widely and often.

Topics include “the spirit of life”, which urges students to understand more about themselves as individuals, and “fragile earth”, which covers environmental and ecological issues, as well as climate change.

The reading project urges the students to challenge preconceived gender roles, become more open minded, have a broader understanding of topics which affect society and have mutual respect for others and their beliefs and ideas.

The latest topic is based on “Jack the Ripper”, the serial killer who murdered female prostitutes in London’s East End in 1888, as well as the “Yorkshire Ripper”, Peter Sutcliffe, and the associated police investigation, which saw him convicted of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others in 1981.

It focuses on misogyny – a dislike of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls – and the students digested a lead text and related articles to form the basis of their discussions. They also found out more about the Suffragettes and campaigns for the right for women to vote and be treated as equal.

The students are considering challenging and thought-provoking subjects, including misogyny, as part of the project, which will run over two academic years.

Nikki Feetham, Senior Assistant Principal at Ron Dearing UTC, said this is one of six forensic reading projects the students will complete during the academic years running from 2019 to 2021, aimed at encouraging them to read widely and often.

She said: “Reading is an important employability skill and therefore very high profile at Ron Dearing UTC. Our students have been very quick to relate the topics to their own lives and opinions in a mature way.

“It gives them a safe framework to talk about challenging and sensitive topics, such as drugs or rape, which they have done in a very mature manner. But, most importantly, we have seen them totally engaged and discussing topics that they would not be able to discuss in any other setting.

“We think topics like this are important to teach, as young people are more exposed to biased media than ever before and they need to be able to challenge these points of view.

“We hope they will be selective and objective in their own views. They are exposed to so much information online and elsewhere that they need to learn how to filter it and make intelligent, informed judgements.”

The forensic reading project complements “Charlie’s Challenge”, which was launched last year by Ron Dearing UTC’s Chair of Governors, Charlie Spencer OBE, under which students are challenged to read a biography or autobiography of an entrepreneur, a leadership or management book, and a pre-20^th century novel. Charlie is Executive Chairman of Spencer Group, one of Ron Dearing UTC’s Founding Partners, and was instrumental is the creation of the employer-led school.

Year 12 students at Ron Dearing UTC took part in an interactive workshop to teach them vital employability skills to help them progress in the world of work.

The equality and diversity workshop was delivered by staff from RB, the world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company, and one of the UTC’s Founding Partners, to almost 140 students.

Students were encouraged to think about self-awareness, how to understand other people’s personalities and characteristics, unconscious bias and how first impressions may not always be correct.

Year 12 Ron Dearing UTC students take part in an equality and diversity workshop delivered by RB, preparing them for the world of work.

The students completed a series of activities and watched videos to challenge perceptions. They also looked at how they would overcome challenges such as speaking to someone whose first language is not English, or how to work alongside and support someone who may be blind.

The workshop was part of a wider project at the employer-led school, which teaches employability skills such as independence, resilience and teamwork, and promotes values required in the workplace, including rule of law, mutual respect and tolerance.

RB’s Human Resources Manager Rachael Starkey, who delivered the workshops alongside the company’s Human Resources Business Partner Rob MacNaught, said: “The workshop is about self-awareness and how you can’t change anyone else, but you can change yourself.

“If an employee has only one style of communication in the workplace, it’s very difficult. We can teach the technical elements, but these skills are more critical to them being able to progress.

“If they are thinking about things like this at this age, it can only be positive. If they go away knowing one more little thing about themselves, it’s job done because we can build on that.”

Rachel Starkey, HR Manager at RB, talks to students.

As part of the workshop, students were shown pictures of various people and asked to guess who they were and what they are famous for, including Bachendri Pal, an Indian mountaineer who became the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1984, and Andy Hinton, the Vice President of Global Ethics and Compliance at Google.

This exercise demonstrated to the students that perceptions can often be clouded by unconscious bias.

Sam Caley, Joint Head of Sixth Form at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “I hope the students will have more of an understanding of equality in the workplace as a result of this workshop.

“This is about educating them about how first impressions count, how to appreciate other people and how to act professionally.”

Year 12 student Oliver Scothern

Year 12 student Oliver Scothern, 16, said he found the workshop interesting and informative.

He said: “Perceptions don’t always add up to what you imagine with a first impression and the workshop was about learning to understand people, which is definitely a useful skill. It will stand me in good stead when I go into the workplace.”

Year 12 student Kira Hobbs

Fellow Year 12 student Kira Hobbs, 17, said: “I’m in a wheelchair and there are things I struggle with which other people find really easy. It’s important to understand others and the workshop was interesting. You learn not to judge people by their appearance.”