Just five days into the school year and Warwick Academy’s BTEC Hospitality class have already had a field trip, just one of the opportunities that are presented the school’s students.

BTEC stands for British Technology and Education Council, and BTEC courses have a strong emphasis on practical learning, together with theory content.

The first module of BTEC Hospitality encompasses the scale and diversity of the hospitality industry. Our first field of research was to experience the working of a membership club, for which we chose Coral Beach and Tennis Club, on South Shore Road, Paget.

Our class spent the last two lessons of the day with Nik Bhola, Coral Beach general manager and his wife, Andrea, the training manager, learning about the club, and how it fits into the hospitality industry.

For the first section of the trip we had a guided tour of Coral Beach Club, learning all about its individuality and history.

The class visited a suite and learnt about how they are working on keeping a positive reputation with regards to their plastic usage. For example, they have evaluated the average stay of their members and changed the sizes of their toiletries accordingly to reduce plastic wastage.

Secondly we were shown the kitchen, and we learnt about their involvement with local retailers.

We had an opportunity to ask questions as we sat in the games room with sandwiches and afternoon tea (just another example of their outstanding hospitality).

Our class took turns asking questions that we require information about for our coursework write-up.

We learnt all about their employees and the training along with how people can become a member and the reasons behind their dress code (smart after 6pm).

As an individual, I felt that the trip was very beneficial to both my basic hospitality knowledge and my personal confidence.

I noticed that as the day went on I asked more questions that furthered my knowledge of the industry.

Since the trip, the BTEC class has written up a section of our unit using the information we gathered at Coral Beach Club. We would not have been able to access the information we required for a top grade without the trip, and along with it being very educational, it was also interesting and enjoyable for all of us.

Our class has described the trip as being intriguing, enlightening, interesting and also quite windy thanks to Hurricane Florence lingering off the coast!

We are all excited for our next class fieldwork. Coral Beach has definitely set a very high standard from an educational and hospitality point of view.

I would like to thank Coral Beach Club for being so welcoming to our class and for enabling us to come and learn about the club.

It was a perfect start to the year and encouraged our excitement to grow for the opportunities that will present to our BTEC hospitality class in the future.

If you feel that you have experiences that you wish to share with Bermudian high school students studying hospitality, please do contact Warwick Academy’s BTEC co-ordinator, Laura Knight.