As I write this, Year 10 students are coming to the end of their week of work experience. The culmination of months of preparation and organisation has meant that the vast majority of students have been out in the workplace. The few who have not, have completed virtual work experience in school. This week I have made phone calls to employers to check how our students are getting on and have been delighted by the many positive comments reflecting the excellent attitude and effort that the boys have brought to the placements. There have been so many different placements there are too many to mention but they cover sectors from Finance to Education, Construction to Healthcare and IT to Sport. Many thanks to parents and employers who have helped to enable 220 students to get the benefit of this experience, to further their career development and inform their future choices.
Year 10 have also had other opportunities to explore options and inform future choices this term. On 24th June, four coaches of students went to Sussex University for a taster day, hearing about student life and study options, touring the campus and spending time in Q&A with student ambassadors studying a wide range of subjects. This was an invaluable opportunity to experience a University campus first-hand and bust some myths about what University has to offer. For those students who stayed in school there was a programme of research activities to explore what Universities have to offer including hearing from three South East Universities in a Webinar, exploring course details in a subject of their choice and researching some of the many other facilities and opportunities available across university life.
On Wednesday 1st July we held a Year 10 Careers Afternoon which offered the whole of Year 10 three sessions with visiting speakers to further explain Post-16 Options. This included a detailed look at apprenticeships from Ask Apprenticeships, a look at what an FE College has to offer, including their role as an apprenticeship training provider, from North Kent College, and a look at the different subjects and types of qualifications on offer at another local school 6th form with Northfleet School for Girls. Each of these sessions will support the boys in making an informed decision about their next steps beyond GCSEs. They will be further supported in this process next year with an individual career guidance interview for all and a parents’ evening with more guidance on A level choices.
The Careers Programme has a lot of content focused around preparation for transition but also includes opportunities all the way from Year 7 to 13. This term we have welcomed back several former students to provide insight into their career paths and jobs. They have each delivered a focus group with Year 12 students and then a class talk to a Year 7 form group. This was a fantastic opportunity for our current students to hear first-hand of the many potential opportunities that Gravesend Grammar School is preparing for them in the future. Huge thanks to all of our visitors for taking the time to share their experiences.