Year 9 pupils at Kingsbury Green Academy have developed their employability skills by taking part in an innovative Work Experience Day at the school.
The Calne academy, which is part of Ascend Learning Trust, welcomed employers and education providers from a wide range of sectors to give pupils practical experience of the workplace without leaving the classroom.
Representatives from higher education, engineering, marketing, health and social care, the creative industries, local government and transport worked directly with the pupils throughout the event.
Responding to real employer briefs
Pupils were challenged to complete real-world tasks and respond to briefs linked to different industries and career pathways.
Working in teams, they developed ideas and solutions before presenting their work to industry professionals. The activities helped pupils practise skills including communication, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and professionalism.
The day also offered an insight into workplace expectations and the qualities employers look for when recruiting new members of staff.
The event formed part of Kingsbury Green Academy’s Modern Work Experience Programme, which provides pupils with a variety of targeted careers experiences throughout their time at the school.
Pupils were matched with employers according to the interests and aspirations identified through the academy’s annual Future Skills Questionnaire. This helped ensure the projects were relevant to the young people taking part and the careers they may consider in the future.
Exploring future career pathways
Elaine Cook, Careers Coordinator at Kingsbury Green Academy, said: “We are incredibly grateful to all of the organisations that supported our Year 9 Work Experience Day. Their willingness to share their knowledge, expertise and industry insight provided our students with a fantastic opportunity to experience the world of work in a practical and engaging way.
“By working on real employer projects, students were able to develop key skills, increase their confidence and explore future career pathways.”
Organisations supporting the event included Bath Spa University, Babcock International, AB Marketing, Access Creative College, Right at Home, Siemens Mobility and Calne Town Council.
Kingsbury Green Academy thanked all of the organisations involved for sharing their expertise and helping pupils learn more about the opportunities available to them after leaving school.
