‘Employable Me’ Avon Valley students learn about employability skills

For the second year running, Year 11 students from The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College have the opportunity to develop the skills that will make them more employable. Throughout the students’ final year, the school will be working in collaboration with coaching organisation Kokoro on the ‘Employable Me’ programme thanks to a grant from Warwickshire County Council.

In the summer term it was announced that Avon Valley was one of six local schools to receive a share of £112,000 which has been given to schools and colleges across the county as part of Warwickshire County Council’s skills for employment programme.

Since September Avon Valley’s Year 11 students have taken part in two half-day, off-site sessions with Kokoro, the most recent of which was held at Benn Hall. During the sessions the students have worked with Kokoro mentors to develop skills which will help them progress with their applications to Further Education providers, and prepare them for post-16 study.

In addition to the sessions with Kokoro, the school has used its grant money to run a number of events including a careers afternoon during which the students met local employers and colleges. Recently, every student has been interviewed by a representative from a local business as part of the school’s mock interview process. Furthermore, the school’s Year 11 students have heard from the local sixth forms and colleges during special assemblies.

Assistant Headteacher, Elaine Stock, said: “The students have already had two wonderful sessions with Kokoro during which they have examined what makes them employable. These events have included sessions on interview techniques, body language and team building. These are skills which will be very important for our students who are currently applying for sixth form, college and apprenticeship places.”

Alison Davies, Headteacher, commented: “Again this year we are very grateful to Warwickshire County Council for providing the grant that has allowed our young people to work with Kokoro. Choosing what to do once they leave school is a big decision and our students are benefitting from the guidance given by Kokoro.”

Karen Powell, one of Kokoro’s founders, said “The students have been fantastic and we’ve really enjoyed working with them. They are fortunate that they attend a school which invests in, and provides, so much advice and careers guidance.”