“We absolutely love working with staff and pupils from The Heights, Blackburn. We have worked with them for many years and always look forward to building on what is already a fantastic partnership. We continue to work alongside staff and pupils to offer as many opportunities we have to offer and we look forward to that continuing in the years to come”.
Chris McGrail
Blackburn Rovers / NCS Engagement Manager
“As a former local employer and experienced professional in Blackburn and as a person with thirty years senior management experience I am really passionate and interested in people. I feel compelled to commend the positive work and the determination that Ross creates as the careers lead at The Heights in Blackburn. He is an invaluable source of knowledge and support for young people starting off on their career paths. Young people need to be encouraged and nurtured and my sole objective through my role as an Enterprise Ambassador is to give confidence and direction to all young people.”
Elaine Courland
Enterprise Advisor / Business Link
“The Heights Blackburn have a fantastic careers provision and offer to all of their learners, which is embedded across the whole school. Their careers strategy runs across the whole curriculum and ensures that students are well prepared and informed for their next steps after The Heights. The school’s involvement in the careers hub embraces the collaborative approach to careers that the Lancashire Careers Hub aims to achieve. The Careers Lead is involved in best practice sharing across Lancashire, Pennine Lancs, the academy trust and within an Alternative Provision community practice. The school has a fantastic relationship with their Enterprise Adviser and embraces the opportunity to be supported by an employer both strategically and operationally.”
Eloise Haworth
Former Enterprise Coordinator
“Education Business Partnership have worked in partnership with The Heights, Blackburn over the last 6 years and historically before this when we came under another umbrella. We specialise in work experience programmes including the traditional one or two week blocks, through to placements which support alternative provision up to 3 days per week for the academic year. With our vast employer links across all sectors we are able to source placements, as well as provide full health, safety and welfare support through a structured assessment framework. Work Experience placements allow students to develop new employability skills and qualities and develop industry and sector knowledge supporting their career pathways. This provision supports Gatsby benchmarks 1, 5 and 6.”
Tracy Gardner
Director, Education Business Partnership, EBP
“I have now been working with Ross and The Heights school for the past 2 years offering support from the ASK programme. We initially delivered on a virtual basis during COVID and more recently been able to offer support on a face to face basis. During the academic year 21/22 we have supported Yr. 10 and Yr. 11 learners with awareness presentations; staff awareness CPD and 1 to 1 conversations with learners at The Careers Fair, we plan to continue that this year. Working with Ross is extremely straightforward and organised, and any changes to arrangements are always communicated ahead of time – and the bonus is that he provides me with KitKats!!!”
Cath Robinson
ASK Apprenticeships Project Coordinator
“The School Liaison Team at Blackburn College have built a strong relationship with The Heights Blackburn over the last 4 years. Ross, the Careers Lead at the school; is extremely keen on offering a variety of experiences for the pupils at the school and we are always more than willing to support this. This year alone we have supported one to one applications, College interviews, VIP group tours, taster sessions, a year 11 assembly, careers fair and team building sessions. The pupils engage in the sessions and continue to be respectful and positive with themselves. We look forward to maintaining and growing our positive relationship in the next academic year”.
Kim Stanley
School Liaison Officer, Blackburn College
“The culture and ethos of the school encourages a caring and supportive environment in which learning and good behaviour can flourish.”
Ofsted
