90 sixth form students from 91全能听in Smethwick听returned to the West Midlands after completing international work placements听earlier this year. Between听late听January and听early听February, they听spent time in听Dubai, Seville and Vienna,听gaining valuable skills and a clearer sense of direction for their futures.听听
The placements were made possible through 拢147,250 of funding secured from the UK Government鈥檚 Turing Scheme, a competitive programme听which supports听overseas study and work opportunities. The听funding听covered travel,听accommodation听and placement support,听ensuring all selected students were able to take part and helping to remove financial barriers.听听
Students were matched with placements aligned to their intended career paths. In Dubai, they gained experience in business,听travel and tourism听and IT, working within one of the world鈥檚 fastest growing commercial centres.听In听Seville,听placements听focused on听sport, performing arts and business, while students in Vienna were based in science and medical settings.听听
Host organisations included Hilton Garden Inn Sevilla,听The St. Regis Downtown Dubai,听Kinder Castle Nursery in Dubai and Vienna English Preschool, offering students a range of real-world workplace environments.听
Year 13 student Mihaly听said the experience had a lasting impact:听鈥淭his residential has听given me听various opportunities听which I would have never received at any other school. The life skills, work听experience听and social skills听I gained听during this trip are something I will be forever grateful for.听听
鈥淎ll the new people I met will听remain in my memory, and this trip will be remembered as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It has helped me in so many ways and set me up perfectly for life听going into university next year.鈥�听
Year 12 student Ishit听said:听鈥淪pending two weeks interning at Sheraton听The听Walk听in Dubai gave me an exciting inside look at both the fast-paced guest-facing side of hospitality and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a luxury hotel running. Moving between departments听showed me how teamwork, communication, and quick thinking come together to create a seamless guest experience.听听
鈥淚 also loved exploring Dubai鈥檚 attractions, from relaxing on its听beautiful beaches to visiting the top of Burj Khalifa.听The skills and confidence I gained will stay with me and support me in my future endeavours.鈥�听
Beyond the workplace, students explored the cultural heritage of their host cities. In Dubai, groups visited the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Frame and experienced a desert safari. In Seville, they enjoyed a walking tour of the city, visited the Sevilla Aquarium, and tried听flamenco dancing, while students in Vienna visited the zoo, the Natural History Museum, and听the Prater听amusement park.听
Thomas Daly, Principal at 91全能, commented:听鈥淚nternational experience should not be limited to those who can afford it. The Turing funding has allowed our students to compete on a global stage and return with greater confidence and ambition,听alongside experiencing some unforgettable cultural experiences.鈥�听
The programme builds on last year鈥檚 success, when the Academy secured 拢83,742 to support 30听year 13听students on a 10-day placement in Dubai, focusing on travel and tourism,听business and design听and technology. This year鈥檚 expansion to three destinations significantly increased both the scale and range of opportunities for students.听
Applications for听year听12 entry in September 2026 are now open via Applicaa, the Academy鈥檚 online admissions system. Further details about Shireland Sixth Form and how to apply are available听on the听Academy website.听听