Skills Minister Impressed at Worcester

The Minister for Skills has visited the University of Worcester, where she met the healthcare, legal, and sports science workers of the future and took questions from an audience of trainee teachers.

Baroness Jacqui Smith spoke to PGCE students about her experiences as a student teacher at the University of Worcester and her journey into teaching in schools in this region before becoming an MP.

After her career as a teacher, Baroness Smith would go onto become the nation’s first ever female Home Secretary.

“It has been really great to come back here, having had such happy memories of studying here,” she said. “To see the medical school, and the opportunities there are here for medical students to learn alongside nurses and paramedics, it was great.”

During her visit, Baroness Smith also visited the University’s School of Law, where she met staff, students and graduates.

She said: “There’s obviously a very strong emphasis on students getting the opportunity to benefit from placements and links to employers here. That’s what makes the courses lead to really good employment prospects, which I know is a big strength of the University.”

 

Baroness Smith took questions from teaching students, which ranged from government policy on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects and the arts, to what the curriculum delivers for young people. One student asked her for her professional advice as a teacher when it comes to supporting disadvantaged pupils.

She said: “It was great to talk to the students. Next year, they’ll be in our classrooms helping to change lives. They’re going into a fantastic career and having taught for 11 years I know how important that route into local schools is, and they’re clearly getting a very good grounding in what’s needed to be a great teacher here.”

 

Addressing the PGCE students, Baroness Smith said: “Thank you for choosing teaching. You’ve chosen the most consequential job for changing people’s lives, thank you.”

She added: “You’re providing opportunity and development for children that will improve their lives.”

Professor David Green CBE DL, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Baroness Smith, the Minister for Skills to the University."

He added: "During her visit she displayed her passionate interest in helping young people gain a first class education and learn the skills which are so essential for success in the modern economy."

For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk