Around 900 sixth formers from across Somerset – including some from Burnham-On-Sea – will gather together at the University of the West of England next week to attend a unique conference that aims to broaden their horizons and widen their knowledge of society.
The event, called ‘Vocalise’, will be held on Thursday (6th July) when King Alfred School students will join other 16 and 17 year-olds for a series of lectures and interactive workshops aimed at helping them discover the opportunities available to them after sixth form.
An ‘Exhibition Street’ will be created, where information and advice will be offered on future careers and the world of work. A variety of public, private and voluntary sector organisations will attend including Amnesty International, the Prison Reform Trust, Connexions and Gap Year Fairs.
The sixth formers will also have the chance to explore university life, with a tour of the University of the West of England’s campus and advice on financing their studies. Lecturers will be on hand to discuss degree choices and showcase their teaching facilities, including the forensic science section where crime scenes are reconstructed.
The conference is being organised by Somerset County Council’s Education Development Service with funding from the Department for Education and Skills. Local businesses have also donated funds to the event to help students to ‘vocalise’ what issues are important to them.
Dave Smith from the Education Development Service, said: “This is an exciting opportunity as never before have all of Somerset’s sixth forms come together to hold such an event, especially in partnership with the University of the West of England.”
