With Work Experience Week taking place this year for the first time since the pandemic hit in 2020, Kingsbury Green Academy has been busy helping enthusiastic students find placements to allow them to experience the world of work.
Challenge-Aspire-Network is the school’s vision for careers, Catherine Young the Careers Leader at the Academy explained, “This term we have seen our Year 10 and 12 pupils striving especially hard towards these goals - challenging themselves to develop their employability skills, aspiring high with their ambitions and gaining confidence in networking.”
To prepare for work experience, Year 10 pupils welcomed employers to the school earlier in July where they learned about their organisation and the career paths available in that industry. They were set tasks by the employer where they had to use their communication, creativity and problem-solving skills, and produce work to an expected standard and by a strict deadline.
Students found the experience really beneficial with comments including; "It helped me to understand how to behave with an employer and how to follow their instructions.”
“It has taught me to just be confident with people even if I don't know them.”
“Today helped me communicate with others and I developed many skills with my group.”
With the dedication and encouragement of the Careers Team, students secured a diverse range of placements, including exciting opportunities working for local businesses such as Calne Town Council, Premier Jobs UK, CWA Cleaning Group, The Hair Company, Artel31 architects and Griffin Classics Ltd as well as larger corporations such as Siemens, RWE Renewables, Babcock International and the Silverstone British Grand Prix.
Parents and carers alike saw their children develop and grow throughout the week as they increased their resilience and confidence.
One Year 10 parent commented, “It’s been so good to see him so passionate about something and rising to the challenge of putting himself ‘out there’ – we are really proud of him.”
Staff at KGA visited or called pupils during their work placements and were incredibly proud of their achievements
and commitment during the week. The visits also gave staff the opportunity to increase their own knowledge of labour market information for the different industries.
Following their week of work Catherine Young commented, “Seeing the students come back into school with a buzz about their experiences, with stories to tell and with an increased sense of independence, confidence and determination has showed the huge impact that working with employers can have. We are incredibly grateful for all the organisations that supported our programme and based on the feedback we have received employers should be looking forward to the future talent pipeline that is coming their way!”
One employer Chris Long of Boxing and Fitness agreed, “It’s a shame he doesn’t need a job, they’d be one waiting!”
For more information on Kingsbury Green Academy visit https://kingsburygreenacademy.com The Academy will be holding their Year 6 open evening on 15 th September.
