Students at Hartsdown Academy in Margate were immersed in a day to remember when The Big Dream Careers event took place at the school.
Students had the opportunity to visit some 25 employers and training providers exhibiting their industries and sharing their career journeys and experiences, along with attending workshops focusing on writing CV’s, personal statements and interview skills.
From local independent businesses to nationwide employers, students shared their own ambitions and aspirations, exploring the career pathways available both now and in the future. Exhibitors commented on how impressed they were with the engagement of students.
Aspirational ambition from students has been reflected through the students careers and outreach programme over the last 18 months with the school being named as a finalist in the Student Social Mobility Awards by upReach. The awards are open to all UK secondary schools and sixth form colleges and recognise those that have made outstanding efforts to boost the career aspirations of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This could be through the creation or adoption of programmes that serve to broaden career horizons, boost aspirations or facilitate the future success of students.
The Student Social Mobility Awards were launched by upReach in 2018 to celebrate schools, colleges and individuals breaking the mould on raising student aspirations and recognises feats of academic prowess, spearheading initiatives that drive meaningful social change, and securing work experience or graduate roles in a range of sectors. Nominees’ achievements come in the face of formidable socio-economic challenges, making them all the more remarkable. Winners will be announced at Mansion House in London on 18th July.
Careers & Outreach Coordinator, Nigel Knight said: “Since Jan 2023 over 130 bespoke opportunities have been created for students to engage and explore pathways within both further/higher education and careers, with students increasingly accepting the notion that socio-economic background does not have to be a barrier for success and aspirations.
“More than 200 employers have partnered with the school in the last 18 months with opportunities to visit local businesses and further education establishments, business professionals supporting the school to provide interview training, seminars and a hugely successful work experience programme that has seen nearly 250 students participate in community work placements over the last two summers.
“Such engagement opportunities provide students with the knowledge to consider their future pathways and in addition, post-16/18 education is very much a narrative they have adopted. “This year 82% of Year 13 students have made successful University applications, and it is likely that our sixth form intake will increase by over 90% for the second consecutive year.”
The school uses Gatsby benchmarks – a way to assess the development of their pupils in employability skills – to adapt the careers programme so all ages can engage in a programme relevant to their aspirations.
Higher education options are being supported by local universities who partner with the school to provide seminars, workshops and opportunities to visit their campuses.
Students have attended residential programmes with Oxford University and more local programmes with Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent. The school says the programme has helped it go from achieving the unwanted accolade of worst school in the country for GCSE results in 2019 with a 6.8% English/Maths pass rate to 2023 being recognised as the most improved Progress 8 school in Kent and 11th in the UK from -1.45 in 2022 to -0.40 in 2023.
