As part of the HE and Careers function, we aim to Educate students for the workplace by supporting them so that they can make informed choices about what is best for them after they leave KES. In addition we give all students the opportunities to develop the appropriate skills and capabilities to best prepare them for life at university and in employment.
Our approach is informed by what employers report they want to see in terms of skills and is benchmarked against the externally approved Gatsby Standards. The skills we seek to engender are:
- Good communication – verbal and written
- Teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Resilience
- Effective Leadership and management
- Self-management – drive, motivation and time management
- Planning and research skills
- Flexibility
- Relevant work experience and commercial awareness
How is this achieved at KES?
The academic and co-curricular programme throughout the school, does much to support students to acquire necessary skills in effective teamwork, leadership, presentation, time management, prioritisation, future planning, IT, etc.
The Fast Tomato Careers programme in the Third year helps to identify possible future career paths and is then linked to GCSE option choices. Morrisby tests and interviews in the Fourth year provide more detail about possible career choices as students consider their VI form options.Careers interviews are carried out in Fifth year to encourage them to think beyond A levels. IGCSE English Language – provides a focus on formal writing (business letters, persuasive writing etc.) for all students.
The School is, of course, also a place of work and provides opportunities for students to learn about professional etiquette through observation and role-modelling and independence and personal accountability increases throughout the Sixth form.
In Foundation Studies sessions, all LVI are shown how to research for suitable university courses and other HE routes such as apprenticeships. They also attend workshops on understanding the UCAS application process, writing their personal statement and on how to make their final UCAS application.
Vocational societies provide students with the opportunity to meet those in various occupations (MedSoc, LawSoc, Economics Soc., Lunar Soc, etc.) and to develop new skills (such as public speaking, teamwork, leadership and networking).
Project management and fund-raising experience is provided through school clubs and activities such as Goedgedacht Project, Summer Camp for young carers and the Sholing Primary School Lovaton partnership.
VI form Careers lunches provide students with the opportunity to meet people in different occupations (medicine, law, IT, engineering, science, finance, media, etc.) and begin networking. Work experience in the VI form is arranged across an array of possible careers.
The Foundation Studies programme of short courses provides information on different aspects of preparation for life after KES such as presentation skills and basic budgeting.
Open Forum is a programme of lectures to provide students with the opportunity to hear from speakers about a range of life experiences, including what it takes to succeed in a range of professions and how to manage stress and mental health. Students also hear from individuals with motivational, thought-provoking and extraordinary stories to tell.
HE and Careers Fairs provide opportunities for students to meet potential universities and employers. Careers Fair 2019: Careers Biographies 2019 Final.docx
A Careers Day for all LVI allows for external support for building CVs and a digital work profile.
Practice interviews are arranged for all students who require them for university applications or work experience.
GAP year opportunities are provided for students to be involved in the workplace, e.g., BDO contracts, GAP student jobs at KES and Stroud, etc.
Basic IT skills, developed mainly through using Word, Powerpoint, Excel and webpages are enhanced during their A level research and studies. The Extended Project Qualification (undertaken in UVI) offers students the opportunity to develop their research, referencing, time-management and extended writing skills.