Project Description

Charting Navy Careers: Inspiring St Andrew’s RC High School Students to Explore Opportunities at Sea and Beyond

St. Andrew’s RC High School pupils spent the entire day at HMS Scotia to gain insights into the daily life of the Royal Navy. The event was attended by 41 pupils from S4 to S6 (equivalent to students aged 15-18), providing them with the opportunity to explore career options at a pivotal stage in their education.

The day featured a variety of engaging workshops designed to showcase different aspects of naval careers, including:

Firefighting training: The firefighting workshop provided pupils with an opportunity to participate in a scenario where a chamber aboard a boat caught fire. They were tasked with extinguishing the fire.
Marines fitness challenges: The marines’ basic fitness test subjected the pupils to a series of exercises, including push- ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups, timed to a beep.
Sea rescue operations: The sea rescue workshop gave the pupils the chance to learn how to assemble survival equipment and board a floating raft after their ship capsized. Boat navigation and driving exercises: The pupils had the opportunity to operate the boat simulator, where they were tasked with transporting six Royal Marines to the ship without causing any damage.
Submarine simulation: The virtual submarine tour offered the pupils an immersive experience of life aboard a submarine, guided by a sub-mariner.
STEM and robotics demonstrations: The STEM workshop provided the pupils with the opportunity to control miniature robots that marines utilize to assess potential threats before deploying a human operator.

Airsoft shooting at targets: The airsoft workshop provided the pupils with the experience of handling authentic weapons, donning a 25kg backpack, and firing airsoft rifles and pistols at targets.
Navy recruitment sessions: The Royal Navy recruitment workshop offered the pupils a comprehensive overview of the recruitment process and the expectations of the Navy.

Objectives

1.To provide students with a deeper understanding of the wide range of careers within the Royal Navy.

2.To allow students to interact with Navy personnel and gain insights into their day-to-day roles.

3.To inspire students in their career decision-making by exposing them to real-life experiences in a dynamic and high- stakes environment.

Partnering Institution

The Royal Navy was seeking to strengthen its partnership with the school by organising additional events that will inspire and inform young people about the diverse career opportunities available within the Royal Navy. In doing so, they aim to enhance their recruitment efforts.

Feedback

“I think it was a great experience to be shown around and get told about everything the navy involves through the various activities we took part in. It gave us a good idea of what actually happens. It also gave everyone a good insight into the different careers for those unsure of what they want to do in the future.”

“The royal navy trip was really enjoyable and informative. I didn’t even think about joining the navy but the trip was very convincing and gave me a completely new view on that profession. It showed the different aspects and amazing benefits of joining the navy and really got me questioning if this is the path I could further take on in the future. Overall fantastic experience.”

Conclusion

Each workshop led by Royal Navy professionals offered students the chance to ask questions and gain firsthand knowledge about their roles and responsibilities. These workshops were exceptionally inspiring for the young people, as many had expressed a specific interest in joining the military following the excursion. There were several pupils who had already expressed a desire to join the forces, and these workshops further ignited their enthusiasm and excitement about the prospect of a career in the Navy.