Future Medics Programme Officially Launches Date: September 2024 We have this week officially launched a new initiative aimed at inspiring the next generation of medical and healthcare professionals. The Future Medics Programme increases awareness of what it takes to study Medicine and Healthcare subjects through fun, inspiring and interactive teaching focused on medicine, health and science. There are a range of opportunities that provide advice and hands-on experience, including guest speakers, webinars and practical exercises, allowing Penrice students to gain detailed insight into possible future careers in the sector. Representatives from Peninsula Medical School (University of Plymouth), Brighton and Sussex Medical School, the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust and Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust have assisted in setting up the programme, offering a range of opportunities. Levelling the Playing Field The Future Medics Programme forms a new part of the existing Penrice Scholarship Programme, offering opportunities that remove common ‘ceilings to success’ for the most academically able in state secondary schools. The Penrice Careers Team have set up the initiative in an effort to ‘level the playing field’. Words by: Mrs Stevenson Careers Curriculum Lead “In 2019, a report from the Sutton Trust identified that whilst just 7% of Britons are privately educated, they make up 39% of the leading professions. Children in St Austell deserve the best, and we are playing our part to level the playing field by striving to offer Penrice students the best careers opportunities and experiences possible. I know from being a parent that it is so competitive to get into Medical School, and if you don’t find out about a lot of the application processes and the challenges until A-Levels, then you are already at a disadvantage. Building strong personal statements is one thing, but there are so many other considerations. For example, the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) exam must be sat in October the year before a student applies to university. This translates to a student’s first two months at College or Sixth Form in Year 12. If they only become aware of the UCAT requirement after this deadline then some medical career pathways may already be closed, or delayed by a whole year at the very least.” A Successful Pilot Ahead of the launch, Penrice ran some pilot events last academic year which included some guest speakers from the field of medicine. Future Medics trial events and guest speakers (Summer Term 2024) Mrs Stevenson said: “The pilot events were a tremendous success – at one particular event we had over 70 interested students attend!” Following the successful pilot events, the application process has this week started with Penrice students in Years 9, 10 and 11 invited to complete formal, written applications. The window for applying closes on Friday 4th October 2024. Just the Start Despite having a range of Future Medics opportunities already locked in for this academic year, Penrice are still hoping to grow their outreach and expand the programme further. Those who are active in the field of Medicine and Healthcare and wish to help inspire the next generation are warmly encouraged to email Mrs April Stevenson via careersteam@penrice.org.uk. Ms Julie Gripton, from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: I am delighted to support the Future Medics programme, it is an exciting development. Everyone in their life has some contact with the heath service from birth to end of life, there are so many careers and options to train that it is great that students will be getting an early introduction to the career opportunities here in Cornwall. Across Cornwall we look forward to welcoming them as our future health professionals. Mrs Stevenson finished by saying: “A massive thank you to the staff at Peninsula Medical School, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust and Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust who have worked with us to get this fantastic programme off the ground. We look forward to seeing the future success it can bring!” The St Austell community can find out more about the new programme at Penrice Academy’s Open Event on Thursday 26th September. Where Next? 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