Inspiring the Next Generation of Green Scientists

Year 9 SEND students learn from industry experts about Bristol’s Heat Network and the future green jobs it creates.

The Careers Hub’s annual Careers Conference focused on enhancing careers advice, guidance, and support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Following the conference, Suzanne Paices, the Careers Leader at Cotham School, identified a need to strengthen the careers programme specifically for SEND students in mainstream education. Across mainstream schools this group often lacks tailored opportunities to engage with industry and explore potential career pathways.

What did they do?

The West of England Careers Hub partnered Suzanne with Rachael Baker, an Enterprise Adviser (volunteer) from Bristol City Leap. Together, they identified twenty Year 9 students, soon to make their GCSE choices, who would benefit from learning about the emerging green jobs sector in the West of England region.

Over six months, Suzanne, Rachael and Sophie, their Careers Hub Officer, collaboratively planned two engaging sessions tailored to inspire and educate these students. They brought on board partners from Bristol City Leap’s heat network initiative, including representatives from Vattenfall and Therma Mech, to share real-world insights into green job roles.

The first session kicked off with a hands-on demonstration—the ‘whoosh bottle experiment’—to illustrate how burning fuel releases energy. This captivating start transitioned into a discussion about carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. Jon, an expert from Vattenfall, then introduced students to the innovative energy centre in Castle Park, which extracts heat from the river to supply sustainable heat energy to local buildings.

Students were then tasked with a practical problem-solving activity: determining the most cost-effective and efficient route to connect the energy centre to a community centre. Using maps, grids, and straws, they had to navigate challenges such as crossing bridges and avoiding obstacles like ancient burial sites. This activity honed their teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.

The second session focused on creativity and communication. Students designed posters to explain the Heat Network to their peers, showcasing their understanding of renewable energy solutions. The sessions concluded with a Q&A, during which Rachael, Jon, and Chris shared insights about their green jobs and discussed the broader scope of future green careers.

The Outcomes

A diverse group of SEND students engaged in an inspiring extracurricular activity, expanding their knowledge of green energy solutions and potential career paths. Their feedback indicated a heightened interest in science and green careers, with many expressing enthusiasm for tackling climate challenges in their futures.

Employers found value in connecting with young learners, fostering greater awareness of the importance of green jobs and the opportunities in Bristol’s heat network.

Looking into the future

They now plan to look into how similar sessions could be rolled out to other year groups and SEND students at Cotham School and other local schools. Focussing on prioritising early engagement with disadvantaged students, reinforcing their understanding of green jobs and how these align with future career opportunities. The West of England Careers Hub will continue building partnerships with Bristol City Leap and other industry leaders to showcase evolving green careers in the West of England.

At Bristol City Leap we’re working towards a just transition to a green economy. Young people from all backgrounds should have the opportunity to engage in the discussion about green skills. By delivering sessions like this one in Cotham we are sparking their interest and showcasing potential green career options for the future."

Rachel Baker, Bristol City Leap

"I did not know what a green job was before, it was good to ask questions to the visitors."

Student 1

"I liked the bottle experiment and using the map of Bristol to connect the heat network to the community centre."

Student 2

Volunteering opportunities

Become an Enterprise Adviser

Enterprise Advisers work directly with the school’s leadership team to develop and implement an effective careers strategy, that puts opportunities with employers at the heart of a young person’s education.

The role of the Enterprise Coordinator is to harness the relationship between the Enterprise Advisers, schools and colleges through ongoing training and support.

What is the Careers Hub?

The Careers hub provides support for our business volunteers to work with the Careers Leader and wider senior leaders of a school or college to create opportunities for young all people.

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