St John’s Catholic Sixth Form in Bishop Auckland is proud to highlight a new opportunity that is helping students gain valuable experience in the world of work.

Five Year 12 students — Abi Thompson, Rosa Jones, Niamh Taylor, Jess Berriman and Sophie Ramsey — have recently taken on trained and paid roles as casual Till Operators in the Sixth Form Bistro and Dining Hall. This initiative gives students the chance to develop practical employment skills within a supportive school environment.

The positions are designed to reflect how St John’s Sixth Form treats its students as young adults, helping them transition into real workplace settings with responsibility and confidence. By working in the Bistro, the students are not only contributing to everyday school life but are also being fairly rewarded for their efforts.

Through this opportunity, students are building reliability, communication skills, and the ability to work closely with staff members. These experiences help prepare them for future employment, apprenticeships, or further education.

Casual roles in the Sixth Form are not offered often, which makes this initiative both unique and valuable. We are delighted to see our students embracing the challenge and demonstrating maturity, professionalism, and commitment.

St John’s looks forward to continuing to support students with experiences that help shape their future pathways.