Employability is a key focus at Nottingham Free School

Scheme launched throughout school.​ (Whole School - 30/03/2017)

Nottingham Free School is continuing to ensure that employability skills are at the heart of the school’s enrichment programme.

The Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, D2N2 has recognised the key skills wanted by employers. As a result, Nottingham Free School is basing all KS3 and KS4 enrichment on this to ensure that students are as employable as possible when they leave school.

Head of School, Mrs Brown said: “It’s about developing the wider skills needed at interview and within the job role itself. We want to ensure that all students are fully equipped for the world of work.”

In PHSE, students are given an employability skills booklet to fill out over the year, with the focus being on the 10 key employability skills that the D2N2 identified as highly valued by employers. These include things such as aspiration, resilience and self motivation.

These skills are then identified and developed through careers lesson and any enrichment activities students take part in. Looking at all aspects allows students to be able to see how their activities inside and outside of school can benefit them in the workplace.

Combining academic qualifications with the wider skills developed during enrichment lessons gives students the ability to fully develop all of the skills required by employers. Enrichment in Key Stage four is particularly valuable and this year the school has introduced a number of new elements.

For the KS4 enrichment pathway students research all the options carefully before picking two for their Monday and Wednesday enrichment sessions. They also need to explain their reasons for picking these and the skills they will develop.

It is important that students choose lessons that will give them a rounded set of skills and there are also a variety of qualifications and awards available such as the Duke of Edinburgh, that students can now take part in.

Everyone is enjoying the scheme so far and there has been a fantastic response all round.