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Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to build expertise, confidence and influence within an existing role. One learner who has used her apprenticeship to create a lasting impact is Memuhna Arshad, a Level 3 School Staff & Community Wellbeing Champion at Oasis Academy Lister Park. Here is her story:

“In my current role as a Pastoral Manager, I see daily how housing, poverty, and mental health barriers impact a young person’s ability to thrive. I chose this apprenticeship (Community Health & Wellbeing Worker) because I want to bridge the gap between school support and community resources. While I currently manage the symptoms of social struggle, this programme will give me the formal skills to address the root causes and improve the long-term wellbeing of entire families, not just students.

I chose an apprenticeship programme because it offers the ideal balance between the practical experience and academic learning. While full-time learning provides strong theoretical knowledge, I wanted a route that would allow me to apply what I learn in real workplace situations.

The benefits are, I get to work alongside experienced professionals, allowing me to build industry connections, receiving mentorships and developing hands on expertise that directly prepares me for my future career. This feels far more engaging and meaningful than learning in the classroom alone.

I am proud of staying determined through challenges. Even when things have been difficult, I have stayed resilient and kept moving forward. I have built confidence, and the ability to handle challenges situations calmly especially when supporting others. This personal growth has helped me become more independent and capable.

The best thing about my role as a Pastoral Manager is the chance to make a positive and lasting impact on young people, both in school and the wider community. Supporting students through challenges, celebrating successes and helping them build confidence is incredibly rewarding. Being someone they can trust and turn to makes my role meaningful every single day.

The most important skill I have learnt is effective communication, knowing how to listen, understand, and support others in a calm, respectful, and professional way. In my role, communication is essential, whether I am speaking with students, parents, colleagues, or members of the community.

Through my training and experience, I have learnt how to, listen actively so people feel heard and understood, stay patient and calm, even in challenging situations, ask the right questions to understand the root of an issue, adapt my communication depending on who I am speaking to, give clear, confident guidance when someone needs support.

This skill has had an influence on how I work. It has helped me build trust with students, work effectively with families, and create positive relationships in the community. It has also strengthened my confidence and ability to manage difficult conversations in a professional way.

I am not looking to start another programme straight away. Instead, my focus is on using the skills I have developed in my current role and within the community. This apprenticeship has helped me build confidence, communication skills, safeguarding awareness, and the ability to support young people effectively and now I want to put those skills into practice.

My aim is to:

• Apply what I have learnt to support students more confidently and professionally.
• Take on new responsibilities within my role.
• Use my communication and listening skills to strengthen relationships with students, families, and the community.
• Build experience before committing to another qualification.
• Grow professionally through real world practice, not just classroom learning.

By focusing on using these skills every day, I can continue developing without needing to start a new programme right now. When the time is right, I may explore further qualifications, but for now, my priority is gaining experience and making a positive impact with what I have learnt.

My work has had a meaningful and positive impact on both the school and the pupils I support. Through my role in pastoral care and community engagement, I have contributed to creating a safer, more supportive, and more inclusive environment for young people.

Improved pupil wellbeing and confidence, by building positive relationships, listening actively, and providing consistent support, I have helped pupils feel more understood and valued. This has boosted their confidence, encouraged them to open, and supported their emotional wellbeing. Strengthened behaviour and attitudes to learning.

Through daily pastoral work such as restorative conversations, early interventions, and supporting students with challenges I have helped reduce conflicts, improve behaviour, and guide pupils back into learning with a more positive mindset. Better communication between school, families, and the community. My work in the community and with families has built stronger links between home and school.

This has helped staff better understand pupils’ situations, leading to more effective support and earlier intervention. Increased safeguarding awareness and support. By identifying concerns, escalating issues appropriately, and collaborating with other staff, I have contributed to keeping pupils safe and ensuring they receive the right support at the right time.

Creating a more inclusive and supportive school culture. My presence, consistency, and compassion have helped create an environment where pupils feel they have someone they can trust. This has had a positive impact on school culture and promoted a sense of belonging. Supporting staff and contributing to teamwork. By communicating clearly, sharing information, and assisting with pastoral responsibilities, I have supported colleagues and helped ensure that pupils’ needs are met more effectively.

Throughout my role, I have been supported by several individuals across my organisation who have played an important part in my development. Their guidance, encouragement, and day to day support have helped me grow both personally and professionally.

My line manager Shoaib Javed has been a key source of support, he has provided clear direction, regular feedback, and opportunities for me to build confidence in dealing with pastoral and community-based situations. Their approach has helped me understand my responsibilities and feel more secure in my role.

Staff across the wider school community have been welcoming and collaborative. Teachers, support staff, and other departments have all helped me build effective communication skills and understand how my role fits into the bigger picture.

Their cooperation has made it easier for me to work confidently across different areas of the school. I have also been supported by external community partners. Because part of my work involves supporting people beyond the school gates, local community workers and organisations have helped me develop a better understanding of the challenges families face and how to respond in a professional way.

Overall, the support I have received from individuals across my organisation has helped me gain confidence, strengthen my skills, and feel more equipped to make a positive impact on the young people and families I work with.”

Thank you for sharing your inspiring apprenticeship journey, Memuhna. We look forward to seeing the difference you’ll continue to make in the future!

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