I’m delighted to announce that I’ve recently enrolled as a Volunteer Enterprise Advisor, and for the next 12 months, I’ll be working with Stoke on Trent & Staffordshire LEP and the Careers and Enterprise Company, to support the careers programme at a local Secondary School.
What will I be doing?
As an Enterprise Adviser, I’ll work alongside an Enterprise Co-Ordinator, and the school’s senior leadership team to support the school’s Careers and Enterprise strategy by:
- Helping develop and shape their careers and Enterprise programme
- Supporting their employer engagement strategy
- Assisting with activities to educate and inspire pupils and help bridge the gap between education and employment
Which School will I be supporting?
Drum roll, please…… And the school I’ll be working with is?
“ Kidsgrove Secondary School is very much a caring community, providing quality education to 11- 16 year-olds.
We ensure the very best inclusive educational experience that equips and prepares our valued young people for life:
- High expectations and standards are embedded in everything we do.
- Hard work and achievement are valued and recognised.
- Pupils and staff are included and differences are celebrated.
- Parents, pupils, and staff are part of one community.
Our school offers children a unique and inspiring curriculum, which enables them to meet their full potential, both now and in the future.
Our challenging curriculum promotes the highest standards of literacy and mathematics skills, whilst allowing pupils to develop their curiosity, thirst for learning, a sense of personal wellbeing and a creative approach to their development and progress.”
Who I’ll be working with:
Beverley Ashley: Enterprise Coordinator – The Careers and Enterprise Company
“The role of the CEC is to link schools and colleges to local employers to help them deliver world-class careers support for all young people by building networks, supporting Careers Leaders in school and using the Gatsby Benchmarks as a best practice standard.
My role is to focus everyone’s efforts on programmes and activities that are most effective in motivating young people, supporting independent choice and positive outcomes for the young people of Kidsgrove High School. I work directly with Larissa Weaver and Karen Mitchell, Careers Leader, in school and Lee Quoroll, the Enterprise Adviser who is linked to Kidsgrove and gives his time and expertise free of charge.”
Larissa Weaver: Head of Learning, Head of Humanities & Acting Careers Lead
“I am acting as the Careers Lead currently. My role is to plan, implement and develop a suitable and effective careers programme for Kidsgrove Secondary School that not only meets all eight points of the Gatsby Benchmarks but also enables our students to best prepare themselves for future learning and employment.
I have worked here at the School now for over 15 years in a number of roles and am currently the Head of Learning for Y11s, Head of Humanities the Acting Careers Lead. I started my education here at the associated Primary School and worked my way through the system until I completed my A-Levels. Being a part of the local community since an early age, means I am well placed and very enthused in ensuring our students have the best starting point.”
How you can help?
I’m excited to be working alongside Beverley and Larissa, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and making a real impact on the future of the Careers Programme at Kidsgrove Secondary School.
If you’re a local employer based in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire or Cheshire and you’d like to support, then there are plenty of ways you can help, including, mock interviews, work experience, labour market insight or delivering a talk to pupils – For more info please don’t hesitate to get in touch.