INTERVIEW PRACTICE AND CREATIVES PANEL HELP PUPILS PREPARE FOR THEIR FUTURES
Horizons’ intensive morning of workshops during the Summer Term challenged pupils to think about their futures while providing them with the tools to sell themselves on paper and in person. The workshops covered a self-awareness exercise drawing on an individuals’ interests, skills and preferred subjects. This was followed by a session on CV writing, interview techniques, the importance of a compelling ‘elevator pitch’, networking and work experience.
Having taken part in the workshop, pupils were asked to write a first draft of their CV to submit to the Horizons team for reviewing. Pupils were then allocated a one-to-one interview slot with a professional from a sector in which they had expressed an interest. The Horizons team were delighted to welcome forty OBs, business professionals and parents to support two interview practice evenings.
During the competency-based interview, pupils were challenged to give examples of occasions when they had demonstrated soft/employability skills such as collaboration and complex problem solving. Pupils received feedback directly after the interview and further feedback on their responses to questions and their CVs post event.
Horizons also hosted a Creatives Panel for pupils in the Fifth and Sixth Form interested in working in creative industries such as film, journalism, music, marketing, design, theatre and fashion. Two OBs Amy Parker (I 13-16), who works in film, and Craig Haynes (H 01-03), who works in marketing, joined us, as well as parents from theatre, opera and film, fashion journalism and the music industry.
The Horizons team is always incredibly grateful for the support of parents, Old Bradfieldians, business professionals and friends of Bradfield at these events.
FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF BRADFIELDIANS
BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS CAREERS FAIR AND MARKETING ONESELF
The College welcomed over seventy exhibitors to the annual Higher Education, University and Careers Fair at the end of the Summer Term. The Horizons team were delighted with the number of businesses that attended to offer a breadth of alternatives to university through some excellent degree apprenticeship schemes as well as school leaver programmes. Also in attendance were several gap year organisations, overseas universities and advisors as well as the usual mix of UK universities.
Invitations to our local state and independent partner schools, Theale Green, The Downs, Little Heath and Pangbourne College, brought in a further 300 pupils which helps to draw in a larger offering of university and company exhibitors. The pupils were very engaged, the feedback from attendees was very positive and all the exhibitors are interested in coming again next year.
Earlier in the term Lower Sixth pupils attended a carousel of workshops relating to employability. The workshops covered topics including the importance of identifying your own employability and comminication skills and personal brand, all of which emphasised the importance of selling oneself in-person. The workshops, which were delivered by the Chartered Insurance Institute, also covered personal finance, including loans and mortgages, and managing own finances, as our pupils move on from school.
FAULKNER’S TALK FUTURES WHILE SIXTH FORM PUPILS LEARN TO TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES
Faulkner’s pupils joined the Horizons team for a day to focus on their futures. There was time for self-reflection and an opportunity to explore what they enjoy, what they are good at and what they might look for in a future career.
Our youngest pupils explored the future of work using a research platform called Unifrog, exploring the skills required for various roles as well as looking at what job opportunities might arise in the future. They conducted research in groups before presenting to their peers.
Jane Marshall, ex. Admissions at Imperial, talked to our Senior pupils about how to write a strong personal statement. She highlighted both the good and the bad in personal statement writing before emphasising the importance of choosing the right course. Pupils were encouraged to make a start on a first draft based on a university course they have chosen following the talk and were given further helpful hints, guidance and resources on how to structure a Personal Statement by the Horizons team.
