Mind the Gap

M IND THE g a p

According to UCAS, approximately 30,000 students each year choose to defer the start of their university career. Making this decision for a host of different reasons, we found out about the experiences of four young people, who feel that not heading straight into higher education has been the making of them. Ella Peters “I never considered it a conventional gap year but I knew I didn’t want to go straight to university. It was tough not to follow the crowd, but I am so, so happy that I took the time to travel, work and experience life before furthering my studies. I will be graduating next summer from my four-year bachelor’s in international development management (major in

sustainable value chains), which I am studying in the Netherlands. Currently I’m doing an Erasmus term in the Czech Republic and studying textiles engineering.

“Not heading straight to university gave me the chance to really find out who I am, and not pressure myself into taking a course that my heart wasn’t set on (which was nearly the case!). It also enabled me to dodge a whole lot of unhappiness and debt!

During my gap years (I actually took two), I worked as a superyacht stewardess (having completed the necessary course), travelled in Asia, did a ski season (where I learnt how to cook for 18), and spent time in South Africa with my boyfriend. These experiences taught me so much more than I expected, from how to hold down a responsible, high pressured job and manage my money, to how to enjoy my own company – two months’ solo travel sorted that one out!

I now have a very clear understanding of the direction I want to head in and am really excited about what lays ahead (and that is definitely not moving back in with Mum and Dad).

If you’re not 100% sure that uni is for you, invest the time to explore other options, as there are so many alternatives out there. I like to live by: ‘You regret the things you don’t do more than the things you do’ and ‘Spend money on experiences over things’. These have both served me well so far.” Callum Lo mas “I left secondary school without knowing what my true strengths and abilities were. I also had no idea what route to go down career-wise. My first fulltime job was working as a contract cleaner at the Tesco store in Saxmundham. Whilst here I realised that I made friendships very easily with new people and made good relationships with bosses and coworkers. As time went on, I did a host of jobs, from being a learning support assistant at my mum’s school for a short period before her retirement, to labouring nine hours a day over the summer. I ended Students: wondering whether to take a gap year, or thinking maybe university isn’t for you? Living In … discovers the benefits of having time out and seeing where it takes you Ella Peters Callum Lomas

up moving to Derbyshire and I’m now working as an anti-social behaviour case worker for Derbyshire Victim Services. Skills that I learnt or implemented while working at a primary school gave me the confidence to apply for the job.

Leaving school at 16 with a Pass in History, PE and English language didn’t look too bright, but I wanted to learn things out in the real world, not in further education.”

Indie Drisco ll “Taking a gap year was an obvious decision for me, as I knew I needed to take a break after the final hectic year of school. This time has been vital for me, as I ended up changing my university and course, while gaining essential skills for uni such as independence and responsibility.

Originally, I had been so set on doing law & criminology at Sheffield that I hadn’t even considered alternative options. Two weeks into my trip to New Zealand I realised this course wasn’t for me, but during A-levels it had seemed like the easiest option. My time in NZ has been unreal. I have had so many crazy experiences including hiking up a glacier and

jumping off waterfalls in glowworm caves. I have met people from all over the world, giving me new perspectives and

insights into a whole range of cultures and some great friends to visit.

Delaying uni is the best decision I have ever made.

I also feel my independence has grown and I’m now

comfortable living alone, cooking for myself and

maximising opportunities. Taking a year out has made me look forward to going

Indie Driscoll

andrea jones Coastal resident Andrea Jones’s daughter Sarah, 24, took a gap year at 19 and has never looked back.

“I must admit her father and I were a little bit dubious when she announced she was wrung out after A-levels and needed a break,” Andrea tells us. “We feared that she’d spend the year on her Xbox in her bedroom and just going out with her local friends, but she really surprised us.

“After getting a shop job, she saved up and she and a friend went travelling around Asia for eight months. Sarah kept emailing/messaging us the most wonderful descriptions of her trips. We thought it was funny because she’d always shied away from any form of writing and certainly school had never brought this talent out in her!

“When she got back she was a different person: really energised and full of plans. She was more confident – something she’d never been at school. She’d often told us she felt the teachers thought she was just ‘average’ and wouldn’t amount to much as she wasn’t a straight-A-grade student. Once home, she applied for many jobs in London and landed up at a media company where she worked her way up and now writes for a living, running social media accounts. We no longer worry that she never pursued a degree. On the contrary, she could have ended up with lots of debt and no job to show for it. Sometimes you have to think outside the box.”

Former head teacher and educationalist, Jacqui Frost, says: I never had a gap year! Since the age of five my life has been in education … as a pupil, a student, a teacher, a deputy headteacher and a headteacher, a total of 46 years has been spent in various educational settings in varying roles. When I was recruiting as a head teacher, there was often something a little extra you noticed about candidates who had seen a bit more of the wider world. It was often more about the life skills they had developed and expanded. I noticed that it wasn’t so much about where they had been or travelled to but more about the experiences and the people they had mixed with, the challenges they had overcome; candidates would seem more grounded and emphatic. I think life in the real world should be a nonnegotiable for anyone who wants to go into teaching.

In recent weeks, we’ve noticed an increase in the number of our clients seeking to review and update their Wills. We’ve also been asked a lot about what else our clients should be doing in light of the developing Covid-19 situation.

We’ve put together a checklist for our clients which we’ve reproduced below. If you’re a carer or someone relies on you – have they got everything they need? Check your Lasting/General Powers of Attorney and those of your loved ones. Have you got the right people appointed to be your attorneys? Are you equipped to potentially start acting as an attorney for someone else?

Do you have an Advance Decision (sometimes referred to a Living Will)? An Advance Decision allows you to express your wishes about accepting or refusing certain types of medical treatment in the future. Do you have a Will? If you do, make sure it’s up to date and refl ects your wishes. If you don’t, you may wish to have a think about what should happen to your assets should anything happen to you. covid -19 and your legal iss ues

If you are concerned about any of the issues above, please speak to your legal advisor as soon as possible. You are welcome to contact us on 01728 724737. Please note we are not currently arranging face-to-face appointments unless absolutely necessary, but we are happy to arrange telephone appointments at your convenience.

Above all else, remain calm and always follow the government’s advice.

10 Riverside Framlingham Woodbridge I P13 9AG T: 01728 724737 W: www.fairweatherlaw.co.uk E: jpringle@fairweatherlaw.co.uk

A co-educational Independent school in Suffolk for ages 4-18

An Unrivalled Reputation for Music and Performing Arts

For more information or to book a personalised visit, please contact our Admissions team:

01394 615041 admissions@woodbridgeschool.org.uk

advertisement feature at Ufford Par k Something for everyone...

Putting the customer first sees this friendly hotel thrive

Award-winning and proud of its independent hotel status, Ufford Park Hotel & Spa is set in 120 acres just outside Woodbridge. Managing director, Tarnia Robertson, took over the management of the hotel from her parents five years ago this month (April). She says: “Whilst I’d been involved in the business before, stepping up to run the hotel and golf course was a huge step for me. But I’m delighted to say that since then we’ve won awards, including most recently Suffolk’s Greenest Business at the Creating the Greenest County Awards, we’ve refurbished all 90 en-suite bedrooms as well as other parts of the hotel, and we’ve improved our profits year-on-year. We’ve also worked very hard at understanding our customers’ needs and how we can best serve them.

“I’m most proud of the culture we have here at the hotel – we’ve worked hard on supporting, coaching, training and employing the right staff – all of whom have a positive ‘can do’ attitude. And, whilst we may have seen changes in some departments over recent years, we’ve come through stronger and with a much more engaged and positive team. This is reinforced by the reviews we receive daily from happy customers. They always praise how helpful and lovely the staff are.”

Celebrations With function rooms able to accommodate up to 190 guests for a dinner-dance style setting and up to 300 for a finger buffet style reception, the hotel is the perfect choice if there’s a special occasion to celebrate. Events manager, Lily Griffiths, says: “From birthdays and anniversaries, to baby showers, renewal of vows, or wakes, we work with clients to ensure their every need is met.”

Go lf This 18-hole, par 71 award-winning course is perfect for all intermediate and experienced players – and everyone in between. Set in 120 acres of parkland the course is playable all year round thanks to its excellent natural drainage and is open to members and nonmembers from 7am every day.

Con go Rapids A perfect escape for a couple of hours for young and old alike, Congo Rapids adventure golf takes you through an abandoned temple, riding a raft into the Lost World and being met by lifesized dinosaurs.

Make a day of it and enjoy the Congo Rapids, swimming and children’s meal package at £15 per head (4–12-year-olds) or £45 for one adult and two children (not including adult meal).

Gettin g Hitched Offering wedding packages from just £3,999, Ufford Park’s ability to host weddings on every day of the week provides greater fl exibility when it comes to preferred dates. Civil ceremonies can also be undertaken at the hotel. Events manager, Grace Flynn, says: “Many of our clients are budget-conscious younger couples or those getting married for a second time. Always happy to share our contacts, our job is to ensure they have the wedding of their dreams.”

Fitness & Spa Boasting a thermal suite spa that offers a full range of body treatments using luxurious Temple Spa products; a fitness centre with equipment and classes (including the recently introduced and highly popular spin classes) and a swimming pool, the comfortable and friendly atmosphere is perfect to exercise, relax or unwind in.

Business Matters If you’re looking for a venue to host a business meeting or conference, the

chances are Ufford Park has a room to suit your needs. With facilities to accommodate four to 300 theatre-style, the hotel offers a day delegate rate of £39.00per person and can advise on team building activities and outside equipment hire.

l For details of Easter events and the hotel’s year-round offerings, visit www.uffordpark.co.uk

From top to bottom: The hotel’s thermal spa suite – the perfect location for a celebration; one of the 90 refurbished ensuite bedrooms; managing director, Tarnia Robertson; Ufford Park’s 120-acre site