Preparing for the future at St Richards

Joanne Calladine-Evans, Assistant Principal, and Caroline Thomas, teacher responsible for career education, coordinated a programme of activities which included; a session on interview skills, a real interview with feedback from an employer on each pupil's presentation, CV and their communication skills, Health and Safety training and finally preparation on how to make contact with their employer for their work experience placement in May.

The staff and pupils of St. Richard's were particularly grateful for the contribution made by local employers who gave up their time to come and give each pupil a real interview followed up with detailed feedback. Fifty-one employers were involved in the interviewing activity this year which was a record number compared to past years.

The employers were impressed with the way in which St. Richard's pupils presented themselves. In evaluating the morning interviewing session one employer wrote: "I would give all of my interviewees a job" while another employer remarked that the pupils were "well presented, polite and well prepared."

The pupils were equally full of praise for the contribution made by the employers to their preparation for the world of work. One year 10 pupil wrote in their evaluation: "The interviewers gave useful advice for the future and on how to improve'¦" and another pupil remarked: "The feedback makes me feel more prepared for work experience."

The programme of activities proved to be a great success in achieving its aim of preparing the pupils for their work experience.

Joanne Calladine-Evans summed up the success of the morning: "Aside from helping to prepare the pupils for work experience, it was a great opportunity for pupils to learn how they come across to adults in a safe environment. It helped to make the pupils really think about their skills and what they are aiming for in their future." The employers' highly valuable input was made possible through the support of Roger Batey from the Rotary club. The morning was also supported by VT Enterprise Personal Advisors.