Student surveys a debt-free future

A former Springwood High School student is embarking on her chosen career as a chartered surveyor without running-up all the debt that university can bring.

Ruby Goodchild has always been fascinated by all things construction and homes. Her family owns a construction company in King’s Lynn, and she spent a lot of time watching and listening.

Now she is studying remotely with a university while working for a local company and earning money instead of spending it.

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

Her work experience arranged by Springwood High School, a member of West Norfolk Academies Trust, was with King’s 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.

“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 (deputy headteacher) put me forward for the apprenticeship and Julie Frost was very helpful,” she said.

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 hasn’t presented any issues and she has been to networking events and has others planned in the future.

“It’s a really good way to get to know people and to create relationships with potential clients for the future. 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’s a really good way of learning and more people should know more about it,” she said.

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.

“It’s 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,” she added.