Ely & East Cambs area news

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A teacher at King’s Ely has started his year as President of the Geographical Association (GA). Alan Parkinson, who is Head of Geography at King’s Ely Junior, was Vice President of the GA last year, and became 2021-22 President on 1 September. Alan, who lives in Norfolk and who has been teaching at King’s Ely for eight years, previously worked for the GA as Secondary Curriculum Development Leader for three years, and also served on the Secondary Phase Committee for 14 years. He has contributed the Webwatch column to the GA Magazine for a similar amount of time, and written articles for all the GA’s journals. Speaking about his Presidency, Alan said: “I’ve always had this feeling that I might end up as President one day, although it’s rare for a teacher to do the job while actively teaching too - the last time that happened was in 2004. I feel enormously proud to be representing our members around the world and influencing some of the work the Association does to advocate for Geography to policy makers and communicate the vital importance of the subject in explaining our world - particularly given the summer of extreme weather we have experienced. The final strand of our work is empowering teachers to become curriculum makers and improve their practice. Of the 106 Presidents to date since 1893, I am the first to have previously worked for the GA as well, which gives me a great insight into the tremendous efforts made by the GA’s staff in Sheffield to support members in the way that they do. I’m excited to have already been invited to events in numerous countries, and to be able to visit our GA Branches around the country in the coming year.” Alan has taught Geography in schools for almost 30 years and has written and edited numerous textbooks and children’s books. He is a Chartered Geographer, is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and has won numerous awards for his writing, innovative teaching, and support of other colleagues. Along with Daniel Raven Ellison, Alan was the co-founder of Mission:Explore. He is a Primary Geography Champion and Consultant to the GA. The GA is the leading subject association for teachers of Geography. As a registered charity, it aims to further geographical knowledge and understanding through education with its current mission of ‘connecting teachers and inspiring quality Geography’.

Red Shoes Accounting Services in Littleport has added three new trainees to their team as part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to skills training and development for young people. Cezary Karwoski-Budd follows on from Leicester University as a Trainee Accountant with Red Shoes Accounting Services, studying for his Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Level 4 qualification. Cezary is currently involved in software training for all aspects of the company’s accountancy services, including Corporation Tax, Year End Accounts and Self Assessment Tax Returns. Evie Heading joins the team as an Apprentice Accountant, studying for her AAT Level 2 and 3 qualification, also with First Intuition. Evie’s role includes admin support and the client onboarding process to progress through to technical accountancy training with her apprenticeship. Learning through a mix of practical on-the-job training, while also working towards their formal AAT qualifications with First Intuition, the apprentices will experience first-hand the roles of a busy accountancy practice. Sam Spibey, an undergraduate at Nottingham Trent University, studying for a BA (Joint Hons) Business Management with Accounting & Finance has secured a six month work placement with Red Shoes Accounting. Sam is supporting the accounts team and assisting with tax return administration to gain valuable experience for his degree. Victoria Cooper, Principal Accountant at Red Shoes Accounting, says: “Cezary, Evie and Sam have made a real contribution to the company already and we’re looking forward to seeing how they continue to develop. They will be presented with day-to-day accounting tasks to help them develop their skills, and will be mentored and supported by the Red Shoes Accounting team. “We have always recognised the benefits that apprentices bring, and encouraging new recruits into the sector is needed now more than ever as the industry tackles a skills shortage exacerbated by the pandemic.”