School employs its first apprentice

Debbie Marsden, Teaching Assistant, Katie Wareing, Business Administration apprentice, Mark Kenyon Head Teacher , Judith Pratt Teaching Assistant and Marie Waterman Teaching Assistant

A primary school in Littleborough has taken on its first ever apprentice.

Holy Trinity CE Primary School has welcomed 17-year-old Katie Wareing, from Milnrow, to its office team on a one year apprenticeship scheme.

The teen will attend Hopwood Hall College to obtain qualifications in Business Administration, whilst learning the necessary skills required to run a busy school office.

Miss Wareing completed her education at Hollingworth High School in June 2011, gaining 10 GCSEs A- C, but she wanted to start work.

The apprenticeship has given her the opportunity to both learn and earn at the same time.

“I love it here at Holy Trinity, it’s a friendly school and I enjoy that I’m not sat in a classroom. I hope that with the experience I am gaining, that one day I can become a school secretary,” she said.

Miss Wareing has been employed as an apprentice through Hopwood Hall College’s business training division, Training@Hopwood.

Headteacher Mark Kenyon, said: “This has been an excellent opportunity for all our staff to have access to the many opportunities in a variety of skills. Interfacing with Hopwood Hall College has been smooth and highly productive.

“At Holy Trinity we value all our staff and their continuing professional development needs.”

Lin Ransom, School Bursar said: “We are very happy with Katie; she has slotted into our school easily and is an asset to our school team.”

Three of the school's teaching assistants, Deborah Marsden, Judith Pratt, and Marie Waterman will also undertake the Certificate or Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools; this is a pilot scheme, focusing on training and work-based learning.