The Cutlers’ “Made in Sheffield’ Programme!

The Cutlers’ “Made in Sheffield’ Programme now involves six schools. These schools are Bradfield School, Firth Park Community College, Forge Valley Community School, Meadowhead School and Languages College, Stocksbridge High School and Yewlands Technology College.

The approach we are developing places an emphasis on project-based learning linked to the world of work, a Cutlers’ skills framework and a menu of opportunities connecting learning to the work of the engineering and advanced manufacturing sector. The Cutlers’ Company schools identified a small group of young people from Year 10 to become the first Cutlers’ “Made in Sheffield” Ambassadors who are now experiencing a radically different work related programme with direct experience of the advanced engineering and manufacturing sectors.

We are also working with the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to involve all aspects of the operation of the NHS Foundation Trust. The fundamental model remains the same with an emphasis on project-based learning linked to the world of work, the Cutlers’ skills framework and a menu of opportunities connecting learning to the work of the hospital and the Trust. Each school has identified 20 young people from Year 10 to become the first NHS “Made in Sheffield” Ambassadors who will experience a radically different work related programme with the hospital.

The programme has got off to a good start but the aim is to change the culture of learning in all the schools and, though the current focus is on Ambassadors, this scheme will impact on the entire school with all students having access to project-based learning accredited through the Cutlers’ “Made in Sheffield” Skills Passport.