DROITWICH Spa High School has been named Apprenticeship School of the Year at the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards.
The announcement was made at a prestigious ceremony at the Treetops Pavilion at West Midlands Safari Park where 30 of the county’s best apprentices, apprenticeship employers, schools and training providers were celebrated in a total of twelve categories.
The event was organised by the county’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council and was hosted by comedian and Radio Four star Mark Watson.
Apprenticeship School of the Year is awarded to the school which goes the extra mile to inspire students to consider apprenticeships as an alternative to other education routes.
Droitwich Spa High School always puts students at the heart of everything it does and has been an active ambassador for apprenticeships for several years. In 2011, the school took part in a pilot programme with the local training provider network to ensure all year ten, 11 and sixth-form students could find out more about apprenticeships.
Since then the programme has grown and now includes regular assemblies with local and national experts and the school hosts an ‘Apprenticeships Made Easy’ workshop every year.
Around half of sixth-formers expressing an interest in an apprenticeships rather than university.
Droitwich Spa High School’s headteacher Natalie Waters said: “I am delighted the school’s work in making students aware of apprenticeships as an alternative to A levels or full time university courses has been recognised in this way.
“Many of our former students are now flourishing in their apprenticeships, enjoying the challenge of working and studying at the same time.”
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Well done to all of the finalists for the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards. As always, the awards were a fantastic celebration of the achievements of our county’s apprenticeships.
“I would like to give my thanks to all of the sponsors who were involved in supporting the awards and to everyone across the county that help to make apprenticeships the success that they are.”
