Preparing for the Future

Year 12 pupils have been looking to the future: exploring universities and apprenticeships and building their employability skills.

Employability Day featured activities that helped Year 12s to write an effective CV, presenting their achievements clearly and persuasively. They also developed their interview skills (for group interviews and for 1:1 interviews), engaging in role-playing activities and reflective exercises that encouraged pupils to think about their own qualities and skills and ways to continue developing and honing them further beyond the classroom. Finally, the pupils enjoyed a dynamic team-building exercise focused on a collaborative, problem-solving treasure hunt. Our thanks to Sarah Burch, from the National Apprenticeship Service, and to the PGS staff members who gave their time and expertise to support our pupils on this very valuable day, helping to prepare pupils for a multi-faceted and competitive market; pupils commented on their appreciation of this opportunity to prepare for life beyond the Arch.

PGS’ online Higher Education Fairpresented Year 12 and Year 11 pupils and parents with the opportunity to speak to representatives from nearly 40 leading UK universities, and a number of companies offering competitive apprenticeships: a chance to ask questions, find out information and compare courses and institutions at this early stage of the process. Feedback from pupils and parents was very positive, with one parent noting: “it really helped (my child) to identify the things that are important to (them) in terms of choosing a university. The fact that (they) could ask questions was really empowering . . . it was really worthwhile and has helped overcome the initial hurdle of narrowing choices down.”

We encourage our Year 12s to follow up the Fair by booking Open Days and beginning visits to the universities they are considering.