Year 10 Workplace Visits Diary: A Week of Real-World Learning

This week, our Year 10 students had the fantastic opportunity to step out of the classroom and into the world of work, with four exciting and informative visits to local employers: Christeyns, Dalesman Group and Carnaud Metalbox

Monday 7th October and Thursday 9th October – A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Christeyns

Our first visit of the week took us to Christeyns, a leading manufacturer in the hygiene and cleaning products sector. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the team and given a fascinating insight into the business and its operations.

The highlight of the visit was the guided tour of the factory, where students saw firsthand how raw materials are transformed into high-quality hygiene products used across a range of industries, from healthcare to hospitality. The students were particularly impressed by the scale of the operations and the high standards of safety, efficiency, and environmental care the company upholds.

There were lots of information about different career pathways available within the company, and it was great to see how many roles—ranging from production and logistics to research and development—play a part in Christeyns’ success. It was a brilliant introduction to manufacturing and a great reminder of the many exciting opportunities available locally.

Tuesday 8th October – A Flavourful Experience at Dalesman Group

The following day, we visited the Dalesman Group, a leading food manufacturer specialising in ingredients, seasonings, and marinades for the food industry. This was a visit full of flavour—quite literally!

After an introduction to the company and its history, we were taken on a tour of the manufacturing site, where students saw how different ingredients are developed, blended, and packaged for use by food producers across the UK. One of the highlights for many was getting the chance to taste some of the ingredients and see the science and creativity that goes into developing new flavours.

It was fascinating to learn about the wide range of careers involved in the food manufacturing industry—from food technologists and quality controllers to machine operators and marketing teams. The Dalesman staff were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about what they do, and it really inspired our students to think differently about what a career in food production could look like.

Friday 10th October – Gearing Up for the Future: Year 10 Explore Engineering at Carnaud Metalbox

The final day of week 1 saw our Year 10 students visit Carnaud Metalbox in Bradford to explore careers in engineering and manufacturing. The visit began with a presentation introducing the company, its global impact, and the advanced machinery it produces for the can-making industry.

Students then took part in a guided tour of the factory, where they saw the full engineering process in action – from precision machining to large-scale assembly. Staff shared insights into their own career journeys and explained the many pathways into the industry, including apprenticeships and technical roles. We’re grateful to Carnaud Metalbox for welcoming our students and providing such a valuable experience.

Coming up next week…… Year 10 students visit Mansfield Pollard, Produmax and NPS Engineering Group.