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Jersey woman included in UK's top 50 female engineers list

Jersey woman included in UK's top 50 female engineers list

BBC News01-07-2025
A Jersey engineer has been listed one of the UK's top 50 women in engineering for 2025The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) named Rachel Hayden as a role model for reaching more than 38,000 people through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) volunteering. The former Jersey College for Girls student was recognised for her "outstanding contributions to the profession and her tireless work inspiring the next generation" in the list published by the Women's Engineering Society.Ms Hayden, who works as a senior engineer at WSP, said an experience at secondary school had inspired her future career.
She said: "If it hadn't been for a pasta bridge competition run by engineers when I was 16, I might never have discovered civil engineering."That moment changed my life - and now I'm passionate about creating those moments for others."
'A real difference'
ICE said that since Ms Hayden had become a STEM Ambassador in 2017, she had volunteered more than 715 hours and delivered 285 activities.Ms Hayden said it was "a huge honour" to be recognised on the list."I hope it shows young people in Jersey and beyond that engineering is not only for everyone - it's a career where you can make a real difference."
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Devastating health impact of vaping revealed in major global study
Devastating health impact of vaping revealed in major global study

Daily Mail​

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Devastating health impact of vaping revealed in major global study

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UK independent space agency scrapped to cut costs
UK independent space agency scrapped to cut costs

BBC News

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  • BBC News

UK independent space agency scrapped to cut costs

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Boys and girls should be taught about periods together in school, academics say
Boys and girls should be taught about periods together in school, academics say

The Independent

time3 hours ago

  • The Independent

Boys and girls should be taught about periods together in school, academics say

Girls and boys should be taught about periods in mixed-sex groups in school to improve their understanding of menstruation, researchers have said. A study by University College London (UCL) academics has suggested that pupils in schools are being given insufficient information around periods. For many pupils they are given just two lessons about periods in their whole school career – one in primary and one in secondary, researchers have said. They have called for lessons on menstruation in schools to be much 'more comprehensive'. Since September 2020, relationships and sex education has been compulsory in secondary schools in England, while relationships education has been compulsory in primary schools. Professor Joyce Harper, from UCL Institute for Women's Health, said: 'Educating pupils about periods may now be compulsory in schools in England and Wales, but we know that for many of them that still only amounts to two lessons in their entire school career.' 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The academics said menstruation is 'highly stigmatised' and a 'lack of education' about difficult periods restricts individuals from seeking help. Co-author Caroline Musulin, from UCL Institute for Women's Health, said: 'Many women endure menstrual problems longer than they should due to the inability to speak openly about uncertainties, fears of being dismissed by healthcare professionals, the view that it's 'just' a painful period or feelings of shame. 'Stigma, secrecy, and the expectation to 'cope' with painful periods contribute to the systemic dismissal of menstrual discomfort.' The latest statutory Government guidance on relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) in schools says pupils should be taught about menstruation in primary and secondary school. The guidance, which was published last month, says pupils should learn the facts about the menstrual cycle, including physical and emotional changes, by the end of primary school to help them understand what to expect. By the end of secondary school, pupils should learn about menstrual and gynaecological health – including period problems such as premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome – as well as menopause, the guidance adds. The latest Department for Education (DfE) guidance says: 'RSE lessons should ensure that both boys and girls have opportunities to practise respectful communication and understand experiences which are different from their own, including menstruation and menopause.' Schools in England will have to follow the statutory RSHE guidance from September 2026. Sarah Hannafin, head of policy for school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'Teaching about periods is a vital part of health education for all pupils. 'Although many schools may separate classes to create a safe space for discussions on topics like this, mixed-sex groups should also be planned as it is vital that pupils understand others' experiences. 'Schools need freely available high-quality resources to support them to do this. 'Education about periods needs more than a single lesson but the curriculum in both primary and secondary schools is overcrowded and the new RSHE guidance has added a lot of new content without any additional time being created.' Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: 'We fully support the need for boys and girls to be taught about menstruation in a comprehensive manner which goes beyond biological facts and covers the wider effects on wellbeing. 'It is essential to be able to discuss this topic openly without misinformation or embarrassment. 'While it is covered in the RSHE curriculum we would welcome consideration of how teaching of this topic might be strengthened.' 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