Hilton’s Hospitality

Posted at 2:05 pm on 24th May, 2022

At Flixton Girls School (FGS) we inspire students to discover their talents and fulfil their potential through our founding principles of aspiration, empowerment and excellence. These principles are at the heart of life at FGS, ensuring that each individual is able to achieve their personal best.  Through experiences and exposure to activities relating to careers days, university tours, work placements and more we open our learners’ eyes to their personal journey through education, life skills and achieving their personal goals.

Ahead of our year 10 work placement week we wanted to highlight our year 10 Food and Nutrition students who were able to visit Lancashire County Cricket Club to enhance their understanding of career opportunities within the hospitality sector.

Students were able to interact with employees of LCCC, one of whom is ex-Head Girl from 2009/10 - Jessica Gore. Jess explained about the possible career options within the hospitality sector. She explained her career path from waitressing and receptionist, whilst completing her university studies through to her current role.

Jess who is now a Business Development Executive in the Sales and Events Department said, ‘It was a pleasure to welcome FGS Year 10 students to Emirates Old Trafford. I was able to talk about the various job opportunities we have available and how they can progress through a variety of career options.

As ex-Head Girl of FGS I can relate to the position the girls are in. Thinking about your career and life outside of the comfort of school can be extremely daunting, but they all came across as mature, ambitious and interested in their personal progression. It was nice to be able to explain how my education and professional career pathway had taken me and what I’m doing today! They all listened and engaged and really did the school proud!!

Days such as this one are so beneficial to the students, it allows them to hear first-hand about a whole host of job roles available within the cricket stadium, which from an outsider’s perspective looking in, probably aren’t very obvious. By explaining more about what each role entails, the different tasks they would undertake, the events they would participate in e.g. International Cricket Matches and Concerts all helps to bring the workplace to life.’

The group were taken on a guided tour of the stadium hotel including being granted access to the VIP balconies. We hope to be able to revisit and experience a breakfast prep and service, with the added bonus of a tasting opportunity soon!

Mrs Atkinson, Teacher of Food and Nutrition said, ‘Everyone had a great morning and the students showed exemplary behaviour. We hope to return to sample the breakfast soon, as everyone was very excited about the waffle maker! We hope that links with Emirates Old Trafford and Hilton Garden Inn will continue and the students can meet their Nutritionist with a visit to our school site. Plus, students could link individually for work placements within the hospitality.’

Emirates Old Trafford tweeted, ‘We loved hosting @FlixtonGS at @HGIManchester @EmiratesOT - part of the @MHAssociation to help support local schools with career advice and to talk about future job opportunities!

Participating student Sophie Lam said, ‘It was so interesting to find out all the different career options available.’

Kaelyn Woodcock commented, ‘I would be very interested in work placement, as I am very keen to progress a career as a sports nutritionists.’