Sahar Ijaz

Sahar Ijaz

Supporting Bradford Council with the Covid-19 response  

Leeds Playhouse Theatre FOH  

Communication Support Worker for Deaf students  

Sports and Activities Volunteer with Bradford Council Youth Service Heaton Hub Library Volunteer  

British Sign Language student 

An accomplishment that I’m proud of from when I was at Belle Vue was getting my first British Sign Language (BSL) qualification whilst I was completing my A-Levels. I had to balance and organise my time well, but I’m so glad that I did it, because since then I have continued my studies and I am currently working towards a Level 6. I am currently a Communication Support Worker and, in this role, I support Deaf students in the school environment.  

I got my first job just before I took my GCSE exams and worked alongside studies from Year 11-13. I’m glad I got this experience because it was my first job and I got to learn many transferrable skills.  

An accomplishment I have achieved after leaving school is progressing in my employment and recently supporting Bradford Council in the Covid-19 response for a year. This involved working on the front line, carrying out tests and supporting vaccinations during the peak of the pandemic. I learnt so much from this job and I’m glad I was able to help during this tough time.  

During lockdown, I gained a new passion for Sports and Activities. I became an avid runner and cyclist, and from this I became a Sports and Activities Volunteer with Bradford Council Youth Service. I am now a qualified Run Leader and Cycling Leader, and I use these skills to encourage people in my local area to become more active and have fun outdoors. My Sports and Activities group recently won the ‘Children at the Heart of all we Do’ award at the Bradford Council Service Excellence Awards. Our goal is getting the children of Bradford to enjoy the benefits that moving and playing brings, alongside their families and communities. My team wants to create a healthier, happier and more active place to grow up.

My advice to BVGA students is to engage in as many extracurricular activities as you can. Be open to volunteering, and if possible, part time job opportunities alongside your studies because these will help you gain transferable skills that will boost your CV and make you stand out to future employers, on apprenticeship applications and universities. Also, research all your options for the future. There are many pathways you can take, including apprenticeships and work as well as looking at universities. If you have a plan and are passionate about your area of study, there is no such thing as a wasted opportunity! I chose the non-traditional route of finding work after I left school, and studying on a part time basis alongside. The important thing is to have a plan and pursue something you are passionate about!