Springwood High School leaver Ruby Goodchild enjoying apprenticeship at Maxey Grounds

A former student is over the moon to be embarking on a career as a chartered surveyor.

Ruby Goodchild, who used to attend Lynn’s Springwood High School, has always been fascinated by all things construction and homes.

Her family owns a construction company in the town, and she spent a lot of time watching and listening. Now she is studying remotely with a university while working locally at the same time.

“I have always helped where I can, and I’ve been interested in everything around construction from a very young age,” Ruby said.

Her work experience arranged by Springwood was with Lynn estate agent Russen and Turner, and from there she met the team at Maxey Grounds - which is a firm of estate and land agents, chartered surveyors, valuers and auctioneers in Cambridgeshire.

She added: “I met them at an event, and they offered me a job there and then. I would never have had the opportunity without Springwood, the staff there have been so supportive all the way through.

“Jamie Warner-Lynn, the deputy head teacher, put me forward for the apprenticeship, and Julie Frost was very helpful.”

Knowing how passionate she was about the subject, the school was pivotal in securing her the role as an apprentice which sees her studying remotely while working within the industry for four years.

Ruby has been at the Wisbech office of Maxey Grounds for three months and is thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Not being at a bricks-and-mortar university has not presented any issues so far, and she has attended networking events and has others planned in the future.

“It is a really good way to get to know people and to create relationships with potential clients for the future,” she said.

“I am also not based in the office all the time, I get out a lot and then have my study day on a Friday. It is a really good way of learning and more people should know more about it.”

Within her training period, Ruby will complete a range of degree modules on everything from information management and health and safety to law and client management.

She is studying remotely with the University of Reading, and her degree will be accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

She added: “It is a really good way to get started in a career and when I finish my degree I will also have industry experience, and I have been paid from the start.

“I think more students should look at this option.”