The Wood Foundation’s investment Excelerate, which works with 19 North-east schools, aims to deliver meaningful, impactful, and context-driven learning opportunities that root the curriculum in the real world.
During the first week of the October holiday, pupils from four Excelerate partner schools – Northfield Academy, Bucksburn Academy, St Machar Academy and Harlaw Academy – were given the chance to attend NHS Grampian Autumn School.
This trial education programme introduced young people considering a career in healthcare to various fields of clinical practice through immersive talks, interactive sessions, and site tours.
Guided by Practice Educator Katie Baxter and Associate Practice Educator Arran Strachan, pupils participated in hands-on learning across specialties such as midwifery, prosthetics and orthotics, mental health, and speech and language therapy.
They particularly enjoyed speaking to student nurses who shared their own journeys, and tours of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Woodend Hospital, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.
Thanks to The Wood Foundation’s Excelerate investment, young people benefit from additional exposure and opportunities to inform their school choices and better prepare them to be active, contributing citizens. Reflecting on their Autumn School experience, all pupils said they felt inspired and even more certain of their decision to pursue a career in healthcare.