A Sixth Form student at Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby has secured a prestigious apprenticeship with the UK’s largest construction and infrastructure provider.
Craig Sindol, 17, (pictured right) beat competition from dozens of applicants and will start a four-year degree apprenticeship with Balfour Beatty in September 2026.
The teenager’s journey started when he completed two weeks of work experience at the company, which has 27,000 employees across the UK, US and Hong Kong.
He said: “I knew I wanted to go into engineering but I wasn’t sure what type of engineering I wanted to do. I did work experience in civil engineering and I really enjoyed it. I like infrastructure and looking at methods and creating solutions that benefit people.”
After such a positive experience, Craig applied for an apprenticeship and the first step was submitting his CV and completing an online test.
Shortly after that, he received a call to say that he had progressed to the next round and was invited to a test centre in Derby where he took part in a group task and was interviewed.
Craig said: “There were lot of applicants and I was the only one from Derby in my time slot. Some of the other applicants were from Edinburgh, Somerset and Liverpool. At first I was very nervous but the group task eased me into it and I think the work experience that I’d done really helped me to answer questions in my interview.”
A week later Craig got the call to say that he had been successful and secured the apprenticeship.
He said: “My hands were shaking and I couldn’t speak. I was so happy. That was my first ever interview. My family were really happy when I called them to tell them. I am excited to start. My teachers were really happy for me too. They have been so supportive and I am really thankful for that.”
The apprenticeship will see Craig gain a Level 6 qualification in civil engineering.
Angela King, Senior Assistant Headteacher, congratulated Craig and said: “We are so proud of Craig, his hard work has paid off. A bright young man with a bright future ahead!”
St George’s Catholic Voluntary Academy has been graded Outstanding by Catholic schools inspectors.
The school, in Littleover, Derby, underwent its Catholic Schools Inspectorate inspection, which is the national framework for the inspection of Catholic schools, over two days in November 2025.
The overall quality of Catholic education provided by the school, Catholic life and mission, religious education and collective worship were all graded Outstanding.
Inspectors said: “The dedicated and focused leadership provided by the genuinely inspirational headteacher, and her impressive senior leadership team, ensures that this school is always striving to improve. Leaders continuously seek new ideas which will positively enhance the experiences of pupils and improve the outcomes they achieve academically, spiritually and as children of God.”
The report said that the behaviour and attitudes of pupils were truly exemplary.
“They (pupils) undertake a wide range of valuable leadership roles, demonstrating genuine respect and support for one another. They know they are valued and cared for by the adults with whom they spend their days,” inspectors said.
Catholic social teaching and the school’s mission are deeply embedded in the fabric of the school and everything it does, according to the report.
Inspectors said: “These values are celebrated, and implemented in tangible ways within the school community, the parish, the local area, nationally, and globally.
“Religious education lessons are challenging and well thought through, so that all pupils, including those who find learning more difficult, can be fully included and attain high standards of skills and knowledge.”
Pupils at St George’s clearly know they are valued and cared for as unique persons, created by God, the report said.
“They exhibit highly positive attitudes to school life, having understood and embraced the values of kindness, respect, faith, perseverance, acceptance and service. They understand the theology, in child-friendly terms, of the Catholic mission of the school, and how they can help to implement it. Their behaviour is exemplary, and they have deep respect for themselves and others,” inspectors said.
Pupils demonstrate excellent knowledge, understanding and skills in religious education lessons, appropriate to their age and almost all pupils, including those with additional needs, make good progress and achieve well, relative to their age and starting points.
“Pupils’ ability to speak with confidence about what they have learnt in religious education is very strong,” the report said.
Another strength highlighted in the report was prayer and liturgy, which was described as being “at the heart of the school, ever-present and central to gatherings of pupils and staff.”
Rachael Snowdon-Poole, Headteacher, said: “This report is a wonderful affirmation of the faith-filled, inclusive and compassionate community that St George’s is. I am incredibly proud of our pupils, who live out our mission with kindness, respect and integrity every day, and deeply grateful to our staff, governors, families and parish for their unwavering support. Our Catholic faith shapes who we are and how we serve, and this inspection recognises our commitment to nurturing the whole child — academically, spiritually and personally.”
This latest Outstanding grading from Catholic Schools Inspectors follows on from an Outstanding grading in all areas from Ofsted in May 2024.
Students from St Philip Howard Catholic Voluntary Academy in Glossop have described their ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip to Africa.
Nineteen students from Years 9 and 10 spent 13 days in Kenya, volunteering at a school, visiting giraffe and elephant sanctuaries, spending time with the Maasi tribe and going on safari.
During their time at the Grace Kids Academy, for children aged three to seven, students taught lessons which they had planned themselves, ran craft activities and played with the pupils. They also helped to build a pipe system to divert floodwater from the classrooms.
Nancy Kays, 15, said the experience made her think about how her and her friends learn and how pupils at the school in Africa learn.
She said: “We ran lots of arts and crafts activities and I’d never done anything like that before. It also made me think that we shouldn’t take what we have for granted and if we get something then we should share it. I think the best bit was seeing all of the animals in the wild and helping the children to get a better life.”
Harry Dean, 13, described the trip as “amazing”.
He said: “Our trip started with a visit to an elephant sanctuary and then we spent three days in the school. We spent time with a local tribe and we saw where they lived. Their houses were very small with one window that had been carved out. They told us that they had to move every five years because their houses get eaten by termites. We also went on a safari and saw giraffes, elephants and lions. It was amazing.”
Ellie Owen, 14, said she enjoyed volunteering at the school.
She said: “We felt wanted wherever we went. The children asked us questions about our lives. It’s a trip that I will never forget and if I could, I’d go back tomorrow.”
Alex Hazelwood, 13, said the children at Grace Kids Academy were very happy.
He said: “I enjoyed the safari and seeing all of the animals. It was nice being with the kids and seeing how happy they were, no matter how bad the conditions were.”
Pastoral manager Claire Aitken, who went on the trip, said there were plans to maintain links with the school and raise money for the pupils in the future.
She said: “We would like to keep the connection and hold non-uniform days and donate the proceeds to the school. The money we could raise would pay for the school’s rent for six months.
“We took donations that we had collected to the school and one day we gave out a pack of coloured pencils and it was like Christmas Day. The children there don’t have much to play with, they had a tyre and a bike inner tube, but they were so happy.
“Our students were incredible and the difference they made was outstanding.”
Staff at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Voluntary Academy in Matlock have been taking on a series of stomach-churning I’m a Celebrity-style challenges in the run up to Christmas.
Twenty-one members of staff signed up for the gruesome trials which included Tuck Shop Terrors, an eating challenge, and the Croc Creek Dunk Off, which involved staff having to dunk their faces into revolting substances to search for stars with their teeth.
The latest challenge saw staff members singing Christmas songs while having nauseating nasties poured on them including everything from beans, custard and garlic mayonnaise to sardines.
Teacher Zoe Barratt signed up to the singing challenge and was only told what it involved a few minutes before it took place.
She said: “It was traumatic! The thing I was most afraid of was singing in front of everyone. I was blindfolded so I had no idea what was being poured on me, it smelt awful and it was very sticky.”
Pupi Romi, 7, said: “I liked the challenge when the teachers were dunking their faces in stuff to search for stars with their teeth and the one where they had to hold animals they didn’t like, like spiders and snakes. One of the snakes was massive and there was a gecko too.”
Pupil JJ, 10, said: “The eating challenge was horrible. I don’t know what they were eating and drinking but it looked and smelt awful. It is funny though, I don’t know any other school where the teachers would do this.”
Headteacher Stacey Carr, who presented the challenges as Ant McPartlin, said: “This has been all about creating unforgettable memories for our children. Watching staff throw themselves into the challenges, completely out of their comfort zones, has been amazing. The excitement, laughter and sheer joy across the school has been incredible and it really captures the spirit of our St Joseph’s family.”
Mrs Carr has previously been a real-life Elf on the Shelf and also dressed up as The Grinch at Christmas.
Students from Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy enjoyed a once in a lifetime trip to Rome, Sorrento and Naples.
Thirty-two Year 9 students, accompanied by four staff members, flew to Rome and visited the Colosseum, the Palatine, the Pantheon, Trevi fountain and the Spanish Steps.
The group also visited the Vatican, St Peter’s Basilica and Pope Francis’ final resting place as part of the theological trip which was centred around the content of the students’ Religious Studies GCSE.
Students then spent two nights in Sorrento where they toured lemon groves and learnt how to make margherita pizzas. A brief stay in Naples was next where students toured caves 40 metres below ground which were most recently used for shelter during the bombing raids in World War Two.
Amelia, 13, said: “Rome was really beautiful and we were given a tour of the Colosseum which was interesting. My favourite part of the trip was visiting Pope Francis’ tomb, which was very simple with just a flower and a cross.”
Caitlin, 13, said: “It was my first time in Italy and I’d expected it to be nice but not as beautiful as it was and the trip was a lot of fun. It was interesting to experience a different culture. Sorrento was really nice, we went to Pompeii and we walked around the lemon groves and made pizza. We walked halfway up Mount Vesuvius, it was so big. I’ve never done anything like that before.”
Alura, 13, said: “My favourite part of the trip was going to St Peter’s Basilica.”
Katelyn, 13, said: “It was a once in a lifetime trip, just walking around the streets in places that were completely different. None of us wanted to go home at the end!”
Jonathan Cudworth, RE teacher at Saint John Houghton, in Kirk Hallam, said: “We were looking at the trip in relation to all of the key parts of the RE syllabus and it was about bringing these to life. The students who visited Pope Francis’ tomb found it a very spiritual experience and they prayed by the tomb. It was very emotional. There were also elements of History and Geography and students also experienced the food and the culture. It was a very successful trip and we had lots of compliments about our students and how they showed great respect.”
St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy in Buxton has been recognised as one of the most improved schools in the country.
The school has been ranked the third most improved school in England for overall attainment due to significant progress in GCSE results.
This is according to this summer’s Department for Education data that has been analysed by the Excellence Hub.
David Redfern, Headteacher at St Thomas More, said the school was thrilled with the ranking.
He said: “To be recognised nationally as one of the most improved schools in England is an exceptional achievement and a moment of immense pride for everyone connected with St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy. The Excellence Hub’s analysis of this summer’s Department for Education data places us among the top schools in the country for improvement, and this recognition reflects the dedication, ambition and resilience shown across our community.”
Data also shows that St Thomas More is the second most improved for English results in the country and fourth most improved nationally for pupils achieving Grade 4 or above in both English and Maths.
Mr Redfern said this news marked the end of a remarkable academic year in which the school was awarded a Good judgement from Ofsted and an extremely positive Catholic Schools Inspection outcome.
He said: “Both confirmed the strength of our provision, our ethos and the commitment that runs through every part of the school. To then achieve such significant national progress in GCSE results shows how deeply our school motto, BeMore, is lived each day by pupils and staff.”
He thanked all of the pupils and staff at the school and said: “Our pupils have shown outstanding determination and our staff have given their absolute best to guide and support them. We are also grateful for the steady encouragement of parents and carers, whose support helps our young people thrive. This national acknowledgement proves that the collective effort of our community is making a real difference. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and excited for the future as we continue to BeMore in all that we do.”
Sixth Form students at Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy are being given an insight into the world of medicine as part of a unique work experience opportunity.
Maryam Begum, Evelyn Gash and Hans Manalang are three of five Year 12 students who are undertaking placements at the Royal Derby Hospital once a week for six months.
The hospital offers work experience across a range of departments including areas like critical care, cardiology, audiology, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and more.
Evelyn, who is studying A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Geography, is working on the hospital’s dementia ward.
She said: “We go to the hospital for two hours after school, once a week. We hand out teas and coffees and have conversations with the patients. We can also feed them and we all work on different wards. It was a bit of a shock at first, working on the dementia ward and seeing families quite upset. It was quite hard but I feel like I’ve built up trust and relationships and it’s very rewarding.”
Maryam wants to be a clinical psychologist and is working on the blood ward.
She said: “I think this gives me a valuable insight into patient care and supporting people.”
Hans is working on the hospital’s orthopaedic ward.
He said: “The ward is for people who struggle with mobility issues. I’m finding it interesting and it’s very good experience.”
Headteacher Hazel Boyce said: “I am incredibly proud of our Year 12 students for participating in this experience. It has been eye opening for all of them and has exposed them to areas of medicine and health care they had not previously considered or necessarily known about.”
Students at Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy asked a series of thought-provoking questions during a visit from Catherine Atkinson MP.
Catherine, Labour MP for Derby North, spoke to Year 11 and 12 students about her own background before inviting them to ask questions.
Year 11 students focused on issues including lowering the voting age, derelict sites in Derby and plans for regeneration, priorities for young people, helping people in deprived areas and overcrowding in prisons.
Subjects that Year 12 students raised ranged from the change in voter habits, Catherine’s career change from barrister to MP, immigration, media criticism of Labour, how young people can have a voice in politics and Government involvement in on-stage comments made by Irish band Kneecap.
Headteacher Hazel Boyce said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for our learners and they really engaged with the experience – challenging Catherine and holding her to account! Catherine’s responses gave them food for thought, too and they certainly left the session pondering some new ideas.”
Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy is celebrating a series of academic successes.
The school’s Attainment 8 score is in the top 20% of state secondary schools in Derbyshire, with its outcomes for disadvantaged students ranked second out of 81 schools.
Attainment 8 is a measure of secondary school performance in England, calculated based on the average scores of students across eight key subjects, reflecting their academic achievement at the end of Key Stage 4 (GCSE level).
Maths is a particular area of strength at Saint John Houghton (the school’s grade 5 and above results outperform local and national averages) and overall, they are in the top third of all schools nationally for performance in Maths.
This latest good news comes on the back of a Good rating from Ofsted earlier this year and a Good grading from the Catholic Schools Inspectorate, with two areas rated Outstanding.
Steve Brogan, Headteacher, said: “At Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, we are delighted with the results achieved by our students and it is great to see these figures now that the national data has been shared.
“The data shows the improvements made in the school in recent years and are the result of the hard work and dedication of the students, staff and parents of the school. We are especially proud of how we are supporting our disadvantaged students and their attainment, which is the second best in Derbyshire.
“There is so much to be proud of and to celebrate about our school, but we recognise there is always more to do and that we can be better today than we were yesterday.”
Christmas has come early to a street in Derby with one resident creating a spectacular festive lights display to raise money for his children’s local primary school.
Trevor Wright has adorned his front garden and house in Barrett Street, off Harvey Road in Alvaston, with up to 35 different decorations made up of thousands of LED lights – including an illuminated UFO.
Money raised from donations will go towards work funded by the Parent Teachers and Friends Association at St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy in Alvaston.
Mr Wright is an active member of the PTFA and although he has been putting up elaborate Christmas lights at his home for over 10 years now, this is the first time that he has decided to use them to raise money.
He said: “This is the first time we’ve started to collect donations. As I’m part of the PTFA I spoke to them and Mr Lobb, who is the Headteacher at St John Fisher, and asked if they would allow us to collect for the school. The PTFA supports lots of projects at the school. We’ve got plans for a sandpit on the field and Mr Lobb would like a large shed for storage. We also part fund things like the hoodies for Year 6 leavers and we help out with discos, the Year 6 leavers’ event and a tuck shop.
“I started putting up the Christmas lights about 10 to 12 years ago and since then the display has got bigger every year. I have three children, aged eight, seven and one and they love the lights. My neighbours love them too, everyone gets involved. We get people asking us in October when the lights are going to go up and the reaction is always amazing. I was buying lights for this year’s display before Christmas last year. I’ve not even started on the decorations inside yet, I decorate every room, even the bathroom.
“I don’t think I have a favourite decoration but this year we do have an inflatable UFO. I don’t know if I love Christmas but I love the reaction that we get to the lights.”
Mr Wright, pictured bottom right, is planning a special event on December 6th from 4.30pm until 6.30pm when free hot chocolate will be available for visitors to the lights display.
Graham Lobb, Headteacher at St John Fisher, said: “We are really lucky to have an active and supportive PTFA. The lights that Mr Wright and his family share on their house are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit early. The fact they are using this to support the school is fabulous and we are very grateful.”
