15 May 2025 â John Henry Newman Catholic College has been awarded the Young Carers in Schools Award, recognising its outstanding work supporting students who care for family members at home.
Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who provide care for a family member who is ill, disabled, experiencing a mental health condition or affected by addiction. Their responsibilities can significantly impact their education and wellbeing.
The award is part of the Young Carers in Schools programme, a joint initiative by The Childrenâs Society and Carers Trust. The programme equips schools across England with practical tools and guidance to help identify and support effectively.
Support at JHNCC
John Henry Newman Catholic College earned the award by showcasing a strong commitment to supporting young carers. This includes:
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Dedicated staff responsible for identifying and supporting young carers.
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Homework clubs and drop-in sessions designed to provide a safe and supportive space for these students.
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Awareness-raising activities for staff and peers.
The Importance of Support
Research highlights the challenges faced by young carers:
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40% say they donât get enough support balancing their education and caring roles.
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On average, young carers achieve one grade lower in GCSEs compared to their peers.
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Many also experience lower levels of self-confidence and mental wellbeing.
National guidance encourages all school staff to be alert to the needs of young carers and to offer early help where possible. The Young Carers in Schools programme supports schools in doing just that.
In Their Words
Vicky Morgan, Head of Young Carers and Young Adult Carers at Carers Trust, said:
âWeâre delighted to present the Young Carers in Schools award to John Henry Newman Catholic College. There are two young carers in every classroom, yet many struggle without support. The staff at JHNCC have shown true dedication in identifying and helping these students â their work is vital and this award is richly deserved.â
Lisa Witherden, Head of National Programmes at The Childrenâs Society, added:
âNearly 80% of schools report no young carers in their census data â we know this isnât accurate. Young carers are Weâre thrilled JHNCC has achieved this award, demonstrating a real commitment to helping these children thrive.â
From hands-on experiments to inspiring STEM talks, the day was packed with excitement, discovery, and curiosity. It was fantastic to see our students so engaged with the world of science, technology, engineering, and maths the future looks bright!
A huge thank you to the organisers for such a brilliant event. Weâre already looking forward to next year!
#STEM #BigBangFair #InspiringTheFuture #ScienceEducation
Our Year 9 DT students had an incredible opportunity to take part in a JLR Powertrain workshop, diving into the world of electric motors, gearing, and vehicle design.
From building their own cars to tackle obstacle climbs and drag races, to exploring sustainability in the motor industry, it was a day packed with hands-on STEM learning.
A huge highlight – getting up close with a Land Rover and Range Rover, bringing the theory to life!
Thank you to the JLR team for inspiring the next generation of engineers and designers. âïž
Weâre excited to share the latest edition of our Careers Newsletter, filled with opportunities, resources, and events to support our students and their families in planning for the future.
This edition features:
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A spotlight on Unifrog, our one-stop careers platform â now available for parents too!
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Upcoming Unifrog webinars for parents and caregivers, including:
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Research into options after school (30 April)
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A Day in the Life of an Apprentice (14 May)
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A helpful guide to T Levels
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Insights from Careermag for Parents & Guardians
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Useful links, career quizzes, and more!
 Plus, advice on how you can support your child with key decisions like apprenticeships, university, and work experience.
Together, letâs help every student feel informed and empowered about their next steps.
#Careers #FutureReady #Unifrog #JHNCC
As part of National Careers Week and in celebration of International Womenâs Day, a group of JHNCC students had the incredible opportunity to take part in a Nursing Workshop led by the amazing @Adele Clifford, @Andrea, and Alice White from @BCU.
Through hands-on activities and an engaging Q&A session, our students gained valuable insights into the world of nursing – an experience they thoroughly enjoyed and found truly inspiring!
A huge thank you to our brilliant facilitators for sharing their expertise and passion. 
#NationalCareersWeek #InternationalWomensDay #Nursing #CareersEducation #FutureNurses #EmployerEncounters #InspiringTheNextGeneration
Weâre excited to invite you to follow our official John Henry Newman Catholic College LinkedIn page. By joining our network, you’ll get updates on key events, achievements, and opportunities within our college community.
Whether you’re a current student, alumnus, staff member, or part of our wider community, LinkedIn is the perfect place to stay informed and celebrate our collective successes. Help us build stronger connections and continue fostering a vibrant, engaged network!
Scan the QR code on the poster or click the link above to follow us.
Thank you for your support â we look forward to connecting with you!
#JHNCC #LinkedIn #Community #Networking #Alumni #StayConnected
Our Year 9 girls had an unforgettable experience at the JLR International Womenâs Day Conference at the British Motor Museum!
They had the chance to hear from inspirational women at JLR, learning about their career journeysâfrom GCSE and A-Level choices to further education, passion, and perseverance.
ïž A walk through history: The girls explored the incredible world of automotive innovation on a museum tour.
Hands-on challenge: They put their creativity and teamwork to the test, designing and building a protective egg housingâjudged by JLR engineers!
A huge thank you to JLR for hosting such an inspiring event. We hope it has ignited a passion for STEM, design, and engineering in our students, showing them that the future of innovation is in their hands!
#STEM #WomenInEngineering #JLR #InternationalWomensDay #InspiringFutures #CareersInSTEM
We recently had the pleasure of hosting a Repair Lab at JHNCC, in collaboration with expert technicians from Birmingham City University (BCU). This hands-on workshop gave students a unique opportunity to fix and maintain everyday tech, developing valuable problem-solving, teamwork, and technical skills along the way.
Students and staff brought in broken devices from home, including game controllers, keyboards, and other electronics, to diagnose issues and attempt repairs. Beyond the technical learning, this initiative played a vital role in promoting sustainability by helping to reduce landfill waste â reinforcing the importance of repair over replace.
A huge thank you to BCU and everyone who contributed broken devices for repair. Your participation made this event a success and helped inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators!
Check out the highlights in the photos!
#RepairLab #STEM #Sustainability #CareersInTech #HandsOnLearning
Our Sixth Form students recently had an incredible opportunity to visit KPMGâs Birmingham offices as part of the Opening Doors to Opportunities programme. Designed to equip students with the insight, skills, and confidence needed to thrive in the world of work, the visit provided a hands-on experience of life at KPMG.
During the workshop, students:
- Developed essential workplace skills, including communication, problem-solving, creativity, confidence, and leadership
- Engaged with KPMG professionals from different areas of the business
- Explored emerging and innovative technologies shaping the industry
- Enjoyed a guided office tour, gaining a first-hand look at the professional environment
A fantastic experience, inspiring our students and broadening their horizons for future careers!
#CareersEducation #KPMG #SkillsForSuccess #OpeningDoors #FutureReady
National Careers Week (NCW) is just around the corner, running from 3rd to 8th March! At John Henry Newman Catholic College, weâre celebrating with a range of exciting events and activities designed to inspire students about their future pathways.
Whatâs happening during NCW?
- Interactive career workshops including a Repair Lab and Nursing Q&A.
- Employer-led sessions from Jaguar Land Rover and other industry leaders.
- Apprenticeship Fair & Virtual Careers Fair to explore post-school options.
- Year 11 Parentsâ Evening & Options Guidance to support subject choices.
Plus, student highlights! Our recent Midwifery Experience Day and JLR Vehicle Design Workshop have given students incredible insights into different career paths.
Encourage your child to get involved and explore their future!
#NCW2025 #CareersWeek #FutureReady
Our Year 10 and 12 students had an amazing opportunity to participate in an exciting vehicle design workshop led by Jaguar Land Rover. This hands-on experience gave them a behind-the-scenes look at the design and development process of some of the worldâs most iconic vehicles.
Throughout the day, students explored the creative and technical aspects of automotive design while discovering the diverse career opportunities within the industry.
As proud members of the JLR Schools Partnership, we are dedicated to offering innovative learning experiences that inspire and help shape our studentsâ future pathways.
A massive thank you to the Jaguar Land Rover team for sharing their expertise and passion â it was truly an inspiring day!
#JLRPartnership #STEMEducation #FutureDesigners #AutomotiveInnovation #InspiringYoungMinds
Our Year 7 and 8 students recently participated in the M&G plc Enterprise Challenge, an inspiring numeracy-focused STEM workshop that showcased how Maths can be applied to real-life problem-solving.
During the session, students stepped into the shoes of large-scale event organisers, tasked with the exciting challenge of planning a music concert for 10,000 young people. They worked through budgeting, logistics, and key decision-making, all while applying essential numeracy skills in a dynamic and engaging way.
It was incredible to witness our students collaborating, thinking critically, and building their confidence in Maths. A huge thank you to M&G plc for delivering such an interactive and inspiring experience!
#STEM #Numeracy #EnterpriseChallenge #FutureLeaders #RealWorldLearning
