Skills Week 2025

Skills Week returned week commencing 17th March. Whilst skills are a part of everyday learning at DSFC, we like to shine the spotlight on skills at specific points in the academic year. This enables our students to see how skills are activated across other subjects and also to see how skills are transferable across differing qualifications and therefore across various career pathways. The week was varied and action-packed. This is a snapshot of the things our students got up to!

Our Y12 Fine Art students used their research and teamwork skills to carry out group presentations on their chosen era of art, ranging from the Renaissance period to Modernism. Presenting to a large group of people was a daunting yet rewarding task in which they all excelled.   Also testing their presenting skills, our Law students adopted the role of trainee solicitors, presenting a pitch to their senior colleagues, utilising the professionalism recently witnessed during their trip to the London law courts.

The Health and Social Care department took their students to the Centre for Change in Durham, in which they further honed their communication skills, working with experienced members of the drug and alcohol rehabilitation team. The students had in-depth professional conversations, through which they gained first-hand experience and a real world context of their studies.

The Forensics team welcomed Carmel Wilkinson, a lead nursing specialist in Multiple Sclerosis, who provided a clear insight into the varied career pathways within the NHS, encouraging our learners to aim high and to be open to limitless career possibilities. It is yet another opportunity for our students to engage with experts and to utilise their professional language.

Dr Helen Roche visited our Centre during Skills Week to share her expertise on World War Two. Within this session, the students strengthened their problem-solving and analytical skills reflecting on how media propaganda and education shaped young minds during the war. This was a great opportunity to access a deeper level of thinking and to understand history in a wider context.

Kate Bradley provided our students with an insight into what she calls her “squiggly career” in which she has worked for the Newcastle United Foundation and Football Club, UK Athletics and Virgin Money.  Kate shared what she looks for in a future employee and explained just how important it is to grab every opportunity that comes our way, to network, communicate and, most importantly, always to smile!

Our students had the chance to engage with all Skills Builder skills, those being problem solving, speaking, listening, the use of creativity, teamwork and leadership, however, in working with a range of professionals, they have also identified additional key skills desirable in any employee in any profession. This development of experience and skills will prove invaluable as our students take their next steps.