As part of National Careers Week, students at Roding Valley High School were given a taste of the working world and undertook a range of activities designed to prepare them for their upcoming career choices.
In collaboration with Coventry University, students in Year 8 had a day of careers lessons, Year 9 students learnt about post-16 options and the school’s summer Careers Week was launched for Year 10 students, during which they will be given the opportunity to participate in events such as Take your Child to Work Day and Mock Interviews with local employers.
Donna Mason, Careers Development Manager at Roding Valley High School said: “Developing employability skills and educating our students about career choices is a priority for us at Roding Valley High School, and Careers Week is just one of the ways that we ensure our students are connected with employers and are prepared for the world that awaits them after school. Our Careers Week activity grows every year; it’s wonderful to see students gaining key industry advice and learning from those around them.”
National Careers Week isn’t the only time of the year that Roding Valley High School focuses on careers education. The school has strengthened its offering through a number of other student focused initiatives, including the Epping Forest Schools Consortium annual Careers Fest and a university admissions workshop held at Bancroft’s School, in January and February respectively.
Over 1,000 students and parents from the local area attended the annual Careers Fest, organised by local careers advisors including Donna Mason. At the event, 75 national and local employers including Hill, KPMG, RIBA, Ashurst LLP and Epping Forest District Council were on hand to provide pupils with information and advice on careers opportunities and post-16 pathways.
Many of the company representatives in attendance were Roding Valley High School alumni, who were on hand to advise students looking to follow in their footsteps. Following the Careers Fest, two Roding Valley High School students won the prize of a week’s work experience after entering a competition offered by Hill (the Careers Fest sponsors).
The university admissions workshop, attended by Year 12 students, covered advice on university applications and provided insight into life at university from postdoctoral researchers, lecturers, and university graduates from the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of St Andrews and Durham University.
Year 12 student Rosie, who attended the event, commented: “I found the workshop to be particularly informative about the application process when it comes to the top universities. Hearing from a member of staff, specifically about what they are looking for in a successful application, has helped me to focus more on developing ways in which I can demonstrate my passions.”
