Developing LOtC opportunities for career inspiration and skill development.
Sara Foster, Vice Principal, Nene Park Academy
An important part of curriculum development at Nene Park Academy (NPA) has been to reflect on how they provide opportunities for students both in and outside of the walls of the classroom.
This has developed the experiences for the students to not only enrich the learning of skills within a syllabus but also the important link to the wider world and careers.
Nene Park Academy’s curriculum leaders work collaboratively with their careers coordinator to provide the best opportunities for the students.
With all of our learning beyond the classroom (LOtC) opportunities, the benefits can have a direct link to the curriculum and also allows the students to have real-life experiences.
Our year 10 hospitality students visited local business: Orton Hall Hotel and were able to confidently ask questions directly about the industry.
Nene Park Academy’s Careers Co-ordinator, Mrs Barkney, believes “Some students may have a clear idea of their aspirations. One of our aims is to support our students to grow, develop and understand their skills which will be transferable across many roles and increase their employability regardless of the pathway they choose”.
We have developed strong links with Anglia Ruskin University which has created opportunities for university visits as well as initiatives such as the NHS careers experience which was a fantastic link to our Health and Social Care curriculum. This newly equipped facility made for an exciting day for all involved. During the day the students were also learning skills such as CPR, manual blood pressure reading, and listening for a baby’s heart rate whilst in the womb.
These opportunities have become part of the culture within the academy.
Providing students with these experiences has also had a direct impact within the classroom; the staff at NPA have commented on the confidence the students have shown in their social interactions with each other, as well as opening up their eyes to wider prospects.
Student comments from a recent visit to the local Cresset Theatre highlighted the learning opportunities, and potential future career inspiration these experiences can offer:
“You learn different jobs about theatre that you might not have know about.”
“It’s a great experience and you get to see backstage.”
Students have also benefitted from experiences such as visits to Bovis Homes and Grand Designs Live at London’s ExCeL.
