‘Car crash’ proves a hit as local school children see future careers

Ben and his family have been involved in a car crash – but how did this happen? Who was to blame? And which professional helping them had the most impact?

Northamptonshire school children worked through such questions as they spent the day at the University of Northampton alongside health, Police, Criminal Justice and Fire Service professionals for a practical, interactive and fun day learning about future careers.

The scenario, with actors playing the parts of Ben and his family, included Northampton police force and representatives from Northampton Fire Brigade.

University of Northampton Lecturer in Policing Tony Cairney led the re-staging of the accident, explaining the roles of each police officer, including the dramatic ‘escape’ of the driver from the ‘crime scene’. He was successfully ‘apprehended’ and returned, albeit handcuffed.

Students from our Paramedic course were also on hand to treat the ‘casualties’ at the scene.

Witness statements were taken from the pupils and lecturers from the University of Northampton led workshops to discuss issues raised by the car crash, based around the courses on offer here.

UoN Paramedic students helped show their role in helping at the scene of a car crash.

These included podiatry, where the pupils used an ultrasound to diagnose foot and leg injuries and even accounting, in which they totalled up the cost of the ambulance crew’s call out to the scene.

Pupils from Northampton Academy take part in workshops about podiatry (with UoN Senior Lecturer Paul Fletcher) and accounting (with lecturers Honor Pacey and Karen Mustard) as part of our ‘Car Crash Scenario’ day.

Students also learned about the work of Occupational Therapists, Criminologists, Psychologists and more.

The event was organised by the university’s Changemaker Pathways team, with funding attached to the National Collaborative Outreach programme. This aims to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds get into higher education.

The students for this exercise came from The Parker Academy in Daventry and Northampton Academy.

Lisa Hawkins, Director of the Business and Social Sciences Faculty at Northampton Academy summed up what her students of the day: “Our pupils have been inspired and enlightened by today’s workshops, seeing career opportunities they would not otherwise had access to. Some of their future work plans have changed because of this.”

Tim Dobson, Head of Higher Education Schools Engagement at the University of Northampton said: “We wanted the students to get a first-hand look at careers available to them when they leave the classroom behind, all of which are available here at University of Northampton.

“After the day ended, it was clear they were already professionals in the making so we look forward to working with more pupils at our next scenario day.”

Watch our video of the scenario (44 secs):

More details about what the podiatry course at University of Northampton has to offer.

Learn more about studying accounting and finance with us.

Look at our full prospectus of courses.

Find out more about the National Collaborative Outreach programme.