Industrial Barker’s Placement

Spending a day at Barker’s Fencing was an eye-opening experience that completely reshaped the way I think about the skills we teach in school. I had the chance to follow the entire journey—from orders being placed to design, production, and transport—and was struck by just how much knowledge, precision, and teamwork go into every stage.

What really stood out was the feeling of being the learner again. It’s been a while since I was in a position where I wasn’t the expert, and having to take direction, ask questions, and absorb so much new information reminded me how daunting (but exciting!) that can be. It reinforced just how important it is to build our students’ confidence in navigating unfamiliar situations.

I was also surprised by the level of science involved in an industry I wouldn’t have immediately linked to STEM. Watching titrations being carried out behind the galvanizing tank was a real ‘wow’ moment—proof that the topics we teach in the classroom are being used in ways we don’t always consider. I can’t wait to bring these real-world applications into my lessons and show students how what they’re learning now could shape their future careers.

But perhaps the biggest takeaway for me was the incredible range of apprenticeships available—not just for school leavers, but right up to postgraduate level. Barker’s Fencing is a real champion of women in STEAM careers, with female apprentices thriving in roles traditionally dominated by men. Seeing that firsthand was inspiring, and I’ll be making sure my students—especially the girls—know about the doors that are open to them.

This experience has made me even more passionate about helping students connect their learning to the real world. There is so much opportunity out there, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with my colleagues and students. Who knows? One of them might just be the next apprentice walking through Barker’s doors!”