Careers Conference for Year 10

Thursday 23^rd and Friday 24^th June provided a dedicated space in Activities Week for the launch of our very first Careers Conference for Year 10s.

Each of the two days commenced with an icebreaker activity encouraging teamwork and providing plenty of entertainment before the group split up and disappeared into various rooms around Peckover for their individual sessions.

Over the course of day one, each of the four groups experienced coaching, guidance and interactive participation on interview preparation, the development of life skills, financial awareness and the cost of living and insights into their own preferences and personalities through ‘All About Me.’ The sessions were led by visiting facilitator from Education Business Partnership (EBP), specialists in the provision to schools of in-person and virtual careers education, information, advice and guidance services, led by high quality, qualified and experienced staff. Lesley Stewart from EBP commented: “Our job is to work with young people and help develop their general life skills and help them become remarkable young people.”

On day two, the Year 10s were split into six groups and they, together with EBP, were joined by volunteers from professional organisations including Vodafone, Shoosmiths, Metro Bank, Chadarie, Dead Herring Theatre Company, Rosalind Franklin Institute and Healthreach. The groups heard talks from each of the professionals gaining insights into the opportunities in a range of sectors from banking to telecoms, healthcare and medical research

Deputy Head of Year 10 and 11, Leni Samuels, commented “It has been an amazing experience for the children because this year they have had not only science and steam subjects but they have also had event management companies and law firms come in. We’ve had some really good people from Vodafone making apps with the students. The children really enjoyed themselves yesterday and today. The sessions have been interactive and they were taught presentation skills which will help them in their school work too. They were all getting up and doing something; it has been really good.”

Marcus (Year 10) responded: “I want to be an architect, and so today was helpful as it was the first experience where we could prepare for future employment and start the trajectory of where we want to be in the future. We learnt about finance, and how to present ourselves in interviews. The speakers today were really insightful and informative.”

Head 0f Careers, Sally Saunders, concluded, “It was great to welcome so many business volunteers to the Park to share their knowledge and insight with our Year 10 students. It was all the more special after the pandemic had limited interactions with visiting speakers. There were valuable activities and plenty of useful advice for our students to take away.”